USC Stands Firm Against Trump's Education Plan

The University of Southern California (USC) made a bold move by turning down a proposal from the Trump administration. This proposal, called the education compact, was aimed at influencing universities to adopt a more conservative approach to higher education. The offer was not well-received by USC, and its interim president, Beong-Soo Kim, decided to reject it.

Kim's Explanation

Kim explained that after considering various opinions from the university community, USC chose not to participate in the compact. However, he made it clear that USC still wants to be part of the conversation about the future of higher education. In a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Kim mentioned that the compact raised several important issues that needed further discussion.

Strong Opposition from the Academic Senate

The compact faced strong opposition from the USC Academic Senate. During a virtual meeting, more than 20 professors and department heads expressed their concerns. They described the compact as:

• "Egregiously invalid"
• "Probably unconstitutional"
• "Antithetical to principles of academic freedom"

Some even called it a "Trojan horse," suggesting it was a sneaky way to impose certain ideals on universities.

The Broader Debate

This decision by USC highlights the ongoing debate about the role of politics in education. It also shows how universities are trying to balance their values with the expectations of the government. The rejection of the compact is a clear statement from USC about its commitment to academic freedom and its unwillingness to compromise on its principles.