The compact was broadly described as a threat to the practice of shared governance — where faculty, staff, administrators, boards, and sometimes students share responsibility for decision-making and policy development.
The Oct. 3 memo condemned the compact as “another attempt” by the Trump administration to pressure universities “to comply with its political agenda.”
According to The New York Times, Rowan was a chief architect of the compact — which builds directly on the ideas he first outlined in a 2023 message to Penn’s Board of Trustees.
The Latest
By
José Carlos Serrano
·
Oct. 8, 2025
In his role as a distinguished visiting fellow, Ezoe engages “with students, staff, faculty, and the community on pressing global issues including climate change, democracy, global justice, human rights, and security.”
Elizabeth Klein named inaugural director of domestic policy programs at Penn Washington
By
Mishal George
·
Oct. 8, 2025
Klein’s new role at Penn Washington involves research, policy, and applied learning.
The compact, which was send to nine universities including Penn on Oct. 1, outlined sweeping set of principles addressing academic freedom, testing, and international undergraduate enrollment.
The compact, which was send to nine universities including Penn on Oct. 1, outlined sweeping set of principles addressing academic freedom, testing, and international undergraduate enrollment.
The Oct. 3 memo condemned the compact as “another attempt” by the Trump administration to pressure universities “to comply with its political agenda.”
According to The New York Times, Rowan was a chief architect of the compact — which builds directly on the ideas he first outlined in a 2023 message to Penn’s Board of Trustees.
Penn’s city councilmember proposes public oversight for West Philadelphia university land sales in new bill
By
Ishani Modi
·
Oct. 6, 2025
The zoning overlay bill will require the Philadelphia City Planning Commission to review proposals for land sold by colleges and universities before construction begins.
Penn to begin review of White House preferential funding compact, Jameson writes
By
Finn Ryan
·
Oct. 5, 2025
In an Oct. 5 message, Penn President Larry Jameson said that administrators will “seek the input” of stakeholders across campus to develop the University’s response to the federal government.
Campus, civil rights groups criticize agreement presented to Penn tying adherence to funding advantage
By
Anvi Sehgal
·
Oct. 3, 2025
“When an invitation is accompanied by consequences for not accepting it, it is in fact a threat, not an invitation,” the AAUP-Penn wrote.
‘Blatantly unconstitutional’: Penn faculty warn proposed Trump compact threatens academic freedom
By
Riana Mahtani
·
Oct. 3, 2025
Experts told The Daily Pennsylvanian the compact could reshape the relationship between institutions of higher education and the federal government, posing a significant risk to academic freedom.
The plan would establish an international board which will serve as the “supreme political and legal authority for Gaza during the transitional period” and comprise seven to ten members.
Annenberg Classroom releases, screens new film on Constitution's commerce clause
By
David Thom
·
Oct. 2, 2025
The project — an initiative by the Annenberg Public Policy Center and Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics — marks the centers‘ annual celebration of Constitution Day.
Annenberg Public Policy Center survey shows West Nile knowledge gap in U.S. despite rising cases
By
Cathy Sui
·
Oct. 2, 2025
The survey — which is a part of the Annenberg Science Knowledge research series — released its findings on Sept. 26.
The United States government has been shut down since Oct. 1 after Congress missed the deadline to approve a funding deal.
Two Penn affiliates announce bids for public office in 2026 midterm elections
By
Sandy Walls
·
Oct. 2, 2025
Stanford is running to represent Pennsylvania’s third congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, while Goodman is seeking to represent the commonwealth’s 148th district in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Penn Provost John Jackson Jr. discusses reshaping his office, academic priorities in DP interview
By
Ayana Chari
·
Oct. 2, 2025
Jackson, who assumed the provost position in 2023, described his office as “the perfect perch from which to really make sense” of Penn as an institution.
White House asks Penn to sign ‘compact’ of operational principles in exchange for funding advantages
Universities are “free to develop models and values other than those” offered in the memo, but only if the institution chooses to forgo federal benefits, the document stated.
Since 2017, Offit has served two four-year terms — including through the COVID-19 pandemic — on the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biologics Products Advisory Committee.
Penn faculty, legal experts criticize Trump’s domestic terrorism memo as threat to campus free speech
By
Isha Chitirala
·
Oct. 1, 2025
In interviews with The Daily Pennsylvanian, Penn professors argued that the memo could create a “chilling effect on free speech” at Penn and other universities.
The announcement came two weeks after Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) called for Penn to take action against Mann in light of his social media activity regarding the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
