Bass, Berry & Sims attorney Audrey Anderson was quoted in Inside Higher Ed providing the latest updates on the Trump administration’s compact sent to universities calling for policy changes and how these U.S. higher education institutions have responded to it.
Audrey discussed how the document, in its current form, appears to threaten all federal funding for higher education institutions. “It can be read to say unless you agree to this, you’re not going to be able to get access to student aid, you’re not going to be able to get access to federal research contracts, you’re not going to be able to get student visas and you’re no longer going to have 501(c)(3) status,” she said.
She noted that it is Congress’ responsibility to put conditions on federal funds, not the executive branch, raising questions about the separation of powers. “The administration can’t say that right now the law requires institutions to have no more than 15 percent of international students or it requires institutions to use a standardized test,” said Audrey.
Audrey highlighted that colleges and universities already have to comply with federal laws and adhere to certain condition in order to have access to federal funds, but clarified that, “most of what’s in this compact are things you have to do on top of being in compliance with federal law.”
The full article, “What to Know About Trump’s Compact for Higher Ed,” was published by Inside Higher Ed on October 20 and is available online.