Earlier this month, the Trump administration advanced its proposed “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education,” offering advantages for federal funds in exchange for institutional commitments. Supporters see the compact as a positive step for reform within higher education. Critics warn it represents an unprecedented intrusion into university autonomy, free inquiry, and shared governance. Many HxA members have publicly commented on the Compact, reflecting this range of perspectives. In this webinar, we’ll bring together Tom Ginsburg of University of Chicago, Anna Krylov of University of Southern California, and Jonathan Zimmerman of University of Pennsylvania to examine the compact’s implications for universities and explore questions such as:

• What are the legal, political, and reputational risks and possible benefits for institutions that sign (or decline) the compact?
• How should different kinds of universities be navigating the pressures and opportunities of the Compact?
• What role should the broader higher education community play in fostering productive dialogue and principled responses?