MIT Rejects White House Funding Conditions, Citing Independence Concerns

MIT President Sally Kornbluth rejects White House funding conditions, asserting they threaten the universitys independence and freedom of speech, raising concerns in higher education about federal influence.

• On October 10, MIT President Sally Kornbluth publicly opposed a White House memo proposing funding conditions for elite universities, citing concerns over academic independence.
• Kornbluths open letter addressed to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon emphasized that the policies outlined could undermine MITs commitment to freedom of speech and expression.
• The White Houses memo, sent to nine universities, suggested that compliance with certain policies would lead to preferential consideration for federal funding, eliciting strong reactions from higher education leaders.