Overview

• The administration circulated a 10-page Compact for Academic Excellence to nine elite universities, promising increased overhead payments, substantial grants and federal partnerships for signatories, with responses requested by Nov. 21.
• UT Austin’s leadership expressed enthusiasm about signing, while MIT, the University of Virginia and USC said they are reviewing the proposal, reflecting divergent early reactions among targeted schools.
• Penn President J. Larry Jameson said the university will assess the compact through its values, seek community input and pursue support based on merit, stating that Penn seeks no special consideration.
• California Gov. Gavin Newsom vowed to cut state funding, including Cal Grants, from any California university that signs the compact.
• The document calls for a ban on considering race or sex in hiring and admissions, mandatory standardized tests, a five-year tuition freeze for U.S. students and a 15% cap on international undergraduates, drawing condemnation from academic groups and legal warnings about federal overreach.