KU won't sign Trump's higher education compact, was never invited to, provost says

Last edited Wed Oct 29, 2025, 05:34 PM - Edit history (1)

Source: University Daily Kansan

In an exclusive interview with The Kansan, University of Kansas Provost Barbara Bichelmeyer said KU will not sign the Trump administration's Compact for Excellence in Higher Education, as it would not serve the university's best interests.

“Fundamentally, there’s no way, with the compact as it is written and sent out to other institutions, that KU could sign that,” Bichelmeyer said. “We can not in any way jeopardize academic freedom.”

She said that KU was neither sent the compact nor asked to sign it. Rather, Chancellor Douglas Girod was invited to join discussions on what elements of the compact might or might not work.

As a public research institution, Bichelmeyer said KU’s mission depends on the academic freedom to pursue innovation and educate others without political or financial restrictions.

Read more: https://www.kansan.com/news/ku-won-t-sign-higher-education-compact-was-never-invited-to-provost-says/article_aaea8512-a72a-4c9f-b45e-44f38dd835d4.html