Brown University is declining to join the Trump administration's proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.
In a letter to federal officials, university President Christina Paxson said the proposed compact does not include safeguards for protecting academic speech.
Paxon says she is concerned that the Compact would restrict academic freedom and undermine the autonomy of Brown's governance and critically compromise the ability to fulfill its mission.
“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 wrote. “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.”
There has been no reaction from The White House.
(Photo: Brown University)