The University of Southern California (USC) has officially turned down a controversial education initiative proposed by the Trump administration. On Thursday, USC’s interim President Beong-Soo Kim announced the rejection in a letter addressed to the U.S. Department of Education.
USC Rejects Trump’s Education Plan
The proposed compact, presented to USC and eight other universities, aimed to attach preferential research funding to universities that align with President Trump’s conservative educational vision. In his statement, Kim emphasized the importance of academic freedom, stating that while the compact’s intentions might be well-meaning, its implications raise numerous concerns.
Concerns Over Academic Freedom
In his correspondence with Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Kim outlined significant issues surrounding the compact. He stated, “Even though the Compact would be voluntary, tying research benefits to it would… undermine the same values of free inquiry and academic excellence.”
Kim pointed out parallels with foreign nations where academic quality diminishes due to political pressures. He noted the need for a “vibrant marketplace of ideas” to promote scholarly excellence, a sentiment echoed by various USC community members who voiced their opinions against the compact.
Reactions and Broader Implications
The decision to reject the compact aligns with similar actions taken by other prestigious institutions, including Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Brown University. USC’s stance has drawn attention, especially from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who urged the university to distance itself from the proposal. Newsom threatened to withdraw state funding from any California university that opted in.
Details of the Education Compact
Provided to USC on October 1, the compact demands several commitments from participating universities, including:
- Adhering to a government definition of gender, limiting it to male and female.
- Restricting Foreign student enrollment.
- Implementing a five-year tuition freeze for U.S. students.
- Requiring standardized testing (SAT or ACT) for undergraduate admissions.
- Prohibiting consideration of race and sex in admissions decisions.
- Promoting a diversity of viewpoints on campus and altering policies that negatively impact conservative ideas.
The compact faced strong opposition from USC’s Academic Senate during a meeting on October 6, where over 20 professors and department heads criticized the proposal. Participants described the document as “egregiously invalid” and an “antithetical to principles of academic freedom.”
USC’s rejection of the education compact underscores a commitment to preserving academic integrity and encouraging a diverse range of ideas within the university setting.
