Brown University declines to join Trump's compact [View all]
Source: WJAR-TV Providence, RI
Updated Wed, October 15th 2025 at 3:45 PM
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Brown University announced Wednesday it is declining to join the Trump administration's proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. University President Christina Paxson said in a letter to federal officials that the proposed compact does not include safeguards for protecting academic speech.
“I am concerned that the Compact by its nature and by various provisions would restrict academic freedom and undermine the autonomy of Brown’s governance, critically compromising our ability to fulfill our mission,” Paxson said in the letter. “Additionally, a fundamental part of academic excellence is awarding research funding on the merits of the research being proposed. The cover letter describing the Compact contemplates funding research on criteria other than the soundness and likely impact of research, which would ultimately damage the health and prosperity of Americans.”
Paxson also said the school signed a voluntary resolution agreement in July that agreed with some of the items mentioned in the compact, including agreeing to commit to equality of opportunity in admissions and hiring, continued compliance with nondiscrimination laws, and funding for workforce development in Rhode Island.
“While we value our long-held and well-regarded partnership with the federal government, Brown is respectfully declining to join the Compact,” Paxson wrote.
Read more: https://turnto10.com/news/local/brown-university-declines-to-join-trumps-compact-academic-excellence-higher-education-speech-president-freedom-funding-research-october-15-2025
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