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

[pstokely]

Last edited Wed Oct 29, 2025, 06:34 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

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what about anyone in the SEC besides Vandy?

[erronis]

1. Been 50+ years since I was at KU. Based on my remembrances, I'd guess K State, OSU, Nebraska would sign.

Mount Oread was always a nice blue liberal refuge in the midst of a lot of red hatred. Please let me know if this has changed for the better

[lapfog_1]

2. As a KU alum ( class of 1980 )

this makes me proud. I guess I better chip into the university endowment.

[pstokely]

4. haven't heard of them

but won't the repuke govs or legislatures pressure them to sign>

[SWBTATTReg]

5. Since tRUMP has been after the farmers w/ other policies of his, that hurt them, I suspect that a large majority of

these farmers and/or ranchers (especially w/ the opening of more beef imports from S. America) are turning against tRUMP now. Baby steps now, but as tRUMP keeps up w/ his crap, and he does more and more crap to hurt American workers, more and more will turn against him.

[Clouds Passing]

6. Way to go Jayhawks!