Overview

• MIT became the first invited institution to refuse the compact, with President Sally Kornbluth saying research support must be allocated on scientific merit rather than political conditions.
• The administration has invited all U.S. colleges to consider the deal, according to reporting that cites a person familiar with the plan, and officials intend to gather feedback for a revised version.
• President Trump has warned that schools declining the offer could face federal compliance investigations, though the scope of any funding consequences remains unclear.
• Most of the original nine universities are still reviewing the proposal, with the University of Texas showing interest as faculty groups and students at campuses such as Vanderbilt organize petitions and protests against signing.
• California Governor Gavin Newsom warned that any California university agreeing to the compact would forfeit state funding, including Cal Grants, escalating the policy standoff.