How To Fix College
3 minute readPublished: Thursday, October 2, 2025 at 1:30 pm
White House Proposes Reforms for Federal Funding of Higher Education
The White House has sent "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education" agreements to nine universities, including Vanderbilt, Dartmouth, and the University of Pennsylvania. These compacts outline specific commitments required for continued access to federal funding. The proposed reforms aim to ensure universities comply with existing laws and promote intellectual diversity.
Key demands include banning the use of race or sex in hiring and admissions, freezing tuition for five years, capping international undergraduate enrollment, and requiring standardized tests like the SAT. The compacts also call for the abolishment of departments that discourage conservative viewpoints and the strengthening of policies against ideological conformity. Universities can choose to forego federal benefits if they do not agree to the terms. Additionally, the administration proposes free tuition for students studying math, biology, and other "hard sciences" if endowments exceed $2 million per undergraduate.
The administration's rationale, as stated by officials, is that federal funding should be tied to a return on investment and aligned with the nation's best interests. The White House believes that universities should be held to certain standards in exchange for federal funding, fostering intellectual diversity.
BNN's Perspective: While the administration's focus on fiscal responsibility and intellectual diversity is understandable, the federal government's intrusion into university affairs raises concerns about academic freedom and institutional autonomy. Striking a balance between ensuring accountability and preserving the independence of higher education institutions will be crucial.
Keywords: White House, higher education, federal funding, universities, academic excellence, tuition, admissions, intellectual diversity, conservative viewpoints, international enrollment, SAT, standardized tests.