Trump’s Higher Education ‘Compact’: The University of California Cannot Capitulate
As Trump ups the ante, it is crucial that the UC does not submit to his demands.
The University of California is once again caught in a high-stakes financial crossfire as President Donald Trump attempts to level up his influence on university operations — this time, by dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, controlling enrollment and tuition rates, and threatening increased restrictions on student activism disguised as a compact agreement. As Trump ups the ante, it is crucial that the UC does not submit to his demands.
On Oct. 1, the Trump administration released the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” which offered preferential federal funding to universities that agreed to a list of terms that align with its political priorities. Initially, this compact was offered to a select group of nine public and private universities. Two weeks later, it was extended to all universities in the country.
In response, California Gov. Gavin Newsom recently issued a statement vowing to pull billions in state funding from any university who agrees to Trump’s compact. Across California, this will especially jeopardize Cal Grants, which provide state-funded financial aid to undergraduate and vocational students.
Stuck at a crossroads — where non-compliance risks losing federal funding but compliance risks losing state funding — UC San Diego and the UC system must make the choice to reject the federal compact for two key reasons: acceptance would reduce affordability and compromise UCSD’s guiding principles.