Very quietly, the Trump administration has the started the process of reforming higher education. In the launch of what is being called 'Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education', 9 universities nationwide have been invited to participate, including UT-Austin.
"What the president and the department of education is doing here, is providing both a carrot and a stick" said Sherry Sylvester, distinguished senior fellow with the Texas Public Policy Foundation.
The initiative grants priority access to federal taxpayer dollars, in exchange for compliance with ten components that will bring about change in campus behavior.
"Protecting the rights of women, clearly defining gender on campus, requiring free speech, and getting rid of belittling students" Sylvester told KTRH. Political neutrality is also included, along with banning race and sex in hiring and admissions processes, freezing tuition for five years, and capping international undergraduate enrollment at 15%.
Basically, it's about making college great again, and normal.
"Support, open dialogue, free speech, academic freedom, and to rid themselves of the ideology that has made 40-50% of the kids on campuses throughout the country afraid to say what they think" noted Sylvester, who also believes that UT-Austin will accept the Trump administrations offer.
UT System Board of Regents Chairman Kevin Eltife said in a statement:
"Higher education has been at a crossroads in recent years, and we have worked very closely with Governor Abbott, Lt. Gov. Patrick and Speaker Burrows to implement sweeping changes for the benefit of our students and to strengthen our institutions to best serve the people of Texas,"