Brown University declines to join Trump's compact
Source: WJAR-TV Providence, RI
Updated Wed, October 15th 2025 at 3:45 PM
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WJAR) — Brown University announced Wednesday it is declining to join the Trump administration's proposed Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. University President Christina Paxson said in a letter to federal officials that the proposed compact does not include safeguards for protecting academic speech.
“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 said in the letter. “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.”
Paxson also said the school signed a voluntary resolution agreement in July that agreed with some of the items mentioned in the compact, including agreeing to commit to equality of opportunity in admissions and hiring, continued compliance with nondiscrimination laws, and funding for workforce development in Rhode Island.
“While we value our long-held and well-regarded partnership with the federal government, Brown is respectfully declining to join the Compact,” Paxson wrote.
Read more: https://turnto10.com/news/local/brown-university-declines-to-join-trumps-compact-academic-excellence-higher-education-speech-president-freedom-funding-research-october-15-2025
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Went back to school later in life so it does not expose my age! 
Harvard man (joke: "you can always tell a Harvard man, but you can't tell him much."
and I would see him at our daughter's house at Thanksgiving, which was right after the Harvard/Yale game ("THE game" iirc), played every other year at the Bowl. Halftimes we would see skits by the so-called "Yale Precision Marching Band," all students of the Yale School of Music. Their zany skits and funny costumes were so much fun!
I attended the game that Paul McCartney attended (sitting by himself). His grandson was a Yalie at the time. Also attending was the Obama daughter who was at Harvard at the time. Bowl employees were told in advance if there was a "notable" attending, meaning someone important in government. Presidents could NOT attend Bowl game! There was not enough protection for them in an open air situation where he could be endangered.
