White House Tries New Tack to Sway US Universities

The Trump administration is again pushing colleges toward its vision for higher ed—but this time with a softer touch. The Education Department has sent university presidents a letter asking them to publicly pledge a slate of changes by the end of 2026, including tightening up grading, clearly spelling out costs to students, reining in foreign donations, and hiring faculty that represent "all relevant perspectives," reports Politico.

It echoes a tougher "college compact" floated last fall that schools rejected as a threat to institutional independence, notes the New York Times. But unlike the original, the letter does not promise easier access to federal funding in exchange for compliance or call for specifics such as a 15% cap on foreign enrollment. The department hasn't said what happens if colleges simply ignore the request.

"The dilution of academic standards, opaque admissions policies and a domineering monoculture have badly eroded public trust," wrote McMahon, adding that "only full candor and transparency can begin to strengthen the bonds between higher education and the American people." Read the full letter.