Photo: theguardian.com
Brown University Rejects Trump's Funding Overhaul, Citing Academic Freedom Concerns
Brown University has rejected Donald Trumps funding proposal, aligning with MIT in prioritizing Academic freedom over federal financial incentives, raising concerns about autonomy in higher education.
- On October 18, 2023, Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, declined to sign the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education proposed by Donald Trump.
- President of Brown University, Christina Paxson, emphasized that the compacts restrictions on diversity and academic policies threatened the institutions Academic freedom and independence.
- Brown University follows the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which also refused the White Houses offer, highlighting a growing resistance among Ivy League institutions to federal policy overreach.
Why It Matters
The rejection of Donald Trumps funding overhaul by Brown University and MIT underscores a critical defense of Academic freedom in higher education, reflecting broader tensions between governmental influence and institutional autonomy.