Austin, October 22, 2025
News Summary
The University of Texas (UT) has not disclosed its decision regarding a funding deal from the Trump administration, diverging from other universities that have either rejected or expressed hesitation toward the compact. This compact aims to protect conservative voices and impose certain educational reforms. Critics, including faculty and education organizations, have raised concerns about potential threats to academic freedom and university independence. As the deadline to sign the compact approaches, UT officials evaluate their options amidst growing protests from students against adherence to political ideologies.
Texas
Officials at the University of Texas (UT) have not disclosed whether they will accept a deal with the Trump administration for federal funding. This decision comes after a key feedback deadline passed on October 20, 2020.
UT is the only institution out of nine offered the deal to not publicly indicate its decision or feedback. Seven out of the nine universities have rejected the compact, which proposes changes aimed at protecting conservative voices, limiting international student enrollment, and teaching that there are only two genders. In contrast, Vanderbilt University has expressed willingness for further discussion but has neither accepted nor rejected the deal.
The deal, called “the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” was offered by President Trump’s administration to nine universities on October 1, 2020. UT Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife stated that the university was eager to review the terms of the compact.
Concerns have been raised by higher education organizations, students, and faculty regarding the compact’s potential threat to academic freedom and university independence. UT officials have already enacted their own reforms, including changes in leadership and launching a curriculum committee focused on civic and professional education.
While the deadline for providing feedback was October 20, the deadline to sign the compact is November 21. U.S. officials emphasized that the administration’s education vision aims to cultivate “moral leaders” based on American values, but critics argue that the compact ties financial rewards to adherence to political ideologies rather than academic merit.
Although UT already follows some principles in the compact, like maintaining international student enrollment below 15% and avoiding diversity statements in hiring, students have protested against it, citing threats to academic freedom. President Trump characterized higher education as corrupt and suggested that the compact would bring needed reforms.
In recent months, legislative actions in Texas, driven by conservative lawmakers, have aimed to restrict diversity and inclusion initiatives in public universities. Governor Greg Abbott has shown strong interest in higher education, advocating stringent measures against faculty members perceived to promote leftist ideologies.
The American Council on Education and 35 other higher education organizations signed a letter opposing the compact, voicing significant concerns over academic freedom. Furthermore, the UT Austin Chapter of the American Association of University Professors has voted to reject the compact, urging defense of the university’s independence.
The AAUP also expressed concerns that accepting the deal could lead to targeting academic units deemed hostile to conservative ideas, including LGBTQ studies programs. Additionally, Texas lawmakers have enacted reforms that grant the governor-appointed regents increased control over curriculum and faculty hiring processes.
The terms of the compact have faced sharp criticism for potentially infringing on First Amendment rights by conditioning federal funding on alignment with specific ideological agendas.
Key Features of the Compact
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Limit on International Student Enrollment | Maintaining enrollment below 15% |
| Teaching on Gender | Indicating there are only two genders |
| Protection of Conservative Voices | Proposed measures to support conservative speech on campuses |
| Impact on Financial Aid | Conditional federal funding based on ideological alignment |
FAQ
What is the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education?
The deal proposed by President Trump’s administration aims to protect conservative voices, limit international student enrollment, and institute teachings that there are only two genders.
What deadline has UT not met regarding the compact?
The deadline for providing feedback to the presidential administration was October 20, 2020, while the deadline to sign the compact is November 21, 2020.
What concerns have been raised about the compact?
Higher education organizations, students, and faculty have raised concerns that the compact threatens academic freedom and university independence.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Texas Deploys National Guard for Upcoming ‘No Kings’ Protest
Texas Governor Deploys National Guard for Upcoming Protests
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Additional Resources
- Austin American-Statesman
- Wikipedia: Donald Trump
- Higher Ed Dive
- Google Search: Trump University Compact
- The New York Times
- Google Scholar: Donald Trump education policy
- Axios Local – Austin
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Donald Trump education
- Fox 7 Austin
- Google News: UT Austin Trump Compact
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