Oppose White House Overreach in University Funding

I am writing to express my deep concern over the White House's recent "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education" proposal. This initiative, which offers preferential access to federal funding in exchange for universities adopting specific political priorities, represents a dangerous overreach of executive power that threatens the fundamental principles of academic freedom and institutional autonomy. The compact, targeting nine major universities including USC, proposes commitments on admissions policies, women's sports, free speech, and college affordability. While these are important issues, the method of leveraging federal funds to influence university policies circumvents the proper legislative process and undermines the separation of powers enshrined in our Constitution. As you well know, Congress, not the executive branch, holds the power of the purse. This compact, with its promise of "substantial and meaningful federal grants" and "increased overhead payments" in exchange for policy compliance, sidesteps congressional oversight and appropriations authority. It sets a troubling precedent that could lead to further erosion of academic independence and the politicization of higher education. The November 21 deadline for universities to decide on this compact adds undue pressure and urgency to a complex issue that deserves thorough consideration and public debate. The Justice Department's proposed role in enforcement further blurs the lines between executive action and law. I urge you to take immediate action to challenge this executive overreach. Specifically, I ask that you: 1. Publicly denounce the White House's compact as an inappropriate use of executive power. 2. Initiate or support congressional hearings to investigate this matter. 3. Work with colleagues to draft legislation that protects the independence of higher education institutions from such executive pressures. This is not a partisan issue. Regardless of political affiliation, we must maintain checks and balances to preserve the integrity of our democratic institutions and higher education system. The executive branch must be held accountable, and Congress must reassert its constitutional role in determining federal spending priorities. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I look forward to hearing about the steps you will take to address this concerning development and protect the autonomy of our universities.