Earlier this month, the Trump administration invited nine major universities to sign onto a series of demands in return for expanded access to federal funding. A majority of those nine schools have now declined, underscoring the challenging tightrope higher education is facing in a broader battle with the White House over academic freedom, federal funding, and campus oversight.
On Friday afternoon, after four schools had rejected the offer, Trump officials convened eight universities to discuss the compact, which would potentially give preferential funding in exchange for a list of changes to school policy.
According to a White House official, the Friday meeting included representatives from the remaining five schools (Vanderbilt University, Dartmouth College, University of Texas at Austin, University of Arizona, and University of Virginia), plus three new schools: Arizona State University, University of Kansas, and Washington University in St. Louis.
Hours after the meeting, UVA announced it would not be signing on.
“We believe that the best path toward real and durable progress lies in an open and collaborative conversation. We look forward to working together to develop alternative, lasting approaches to improving higher education,” interim UVA president Paul Mahoney wrote in a letter to Trump officials including Education Secretary Linda McMahon.
The White House cast Friday’s conversation as “productive” and said it is now up to the schools to decide.
“They now have the baton to consider, discuss, and propose meaningful reforms, including their form and implementation, to ensure college campuses serve as laboratories of American greatness,” White House spokesperson Liz Huston said.
She added: “These leaders are working steadfastly to improve higher education and have been invited to the table to share ideas with the Administration.”
CNN has reached out to the remaining seven schools for comment.
