Compact 2.0—Where we stand
Background:
On August 3rd, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon issued a letter to university presidents and governing boards. She called on universities and colleges to publicly commit to a laundry list of demands, including hiring more conservative faculty and preventing students from exercising their First Amendment rights to protest. National AAUP, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), the Concerned Jewish Faculty & Staff (CJFS), Alliance for Higher Education and PEN America, among other national groups, have condemned this Trump Compact 2.0.
Since then, news reports have revealed that President Daniels played a significant role in drafting this letter. President Daniels also gave an interview to the Chronicle of Higher Education on this question. In response, the Hopkins AAUP chapter held an emergency meeting to address concerns that many faculty members have about the Hopkins administration bypassing shared governance channels and the lack of transparency in communicating these serious issues. We published a letter in the Chronicle responding to President Daniels’ interview, emphasizing the need for shared governance and collaboration to secure the future of our university and higher education. We also met with the provost's office to discuss these concerns.
In particular, we asked (1) that the upper administration meet with faculty representatives to explain this situation, (2) that the university reaffirm its commitment to its 2015 declaration on academic freedom, (3) that a clear deliberative process to respond to the DoE letter be instituted, and (4) that the university affirm departments’ rights to manage hires and to determine needs based on disciplinary expertise.
We are delighted that the university administration responded positively to our asks and recognized their value. On 9/10, President Daniels and Provost Rutkow met with KSAS senators and department chairs to discuss the DoE letter. In the meeting, President Daniels affirmed the university’s commitment to the 2015 declaration and to department authority and disciplinary expertise. He also offered assurances that the university will institute a deliberative process to respond to the letter. We believe that President Daniels will meet with other faculty in our different schools.
Where we stand:
On September 15, and in response to faculty asks, the university administration released an open online questionnaire to gather opinions on how to respond to Compact 2.0.
However, the DoE letter is NOT a questionnaire and should not be treated as such. It was another episode in the federal government's attempt to control higher education and force it to align with the Trump administration's political views. While using softer language, it still employs bullying and extortion to undermine the independence of higher education by using public funds as rewards for compliance. Regardless of our different opinions on substantive policy issues, such intrusion, bullying, and intimidation are unacceptable.
In responding to Compact 2.0, we must reject the premises that underpin it. We must emphasize the independence of higher education and the values of academic freedom, shared governance, and freedom of expression, and call out the federal government's failures to ensure affordable education and to support research and higher education.
Your voices matter, and your opinion makes a difference! We have to continue on our path to ensure shared governance and academic freedom.
Next Steps:
This week (9/21-26), the chapter leadership will continue to engage in wide-ranging conversations with faculty around Hopkins. We have heard from many of you and want to hear more. Please talk to colleagues, forward this email, bring it up in your department or senate, gather opinions, and let us know how it goes. A coordinated response that represents what we collectively stand for is our most effective tool.
On Friday, 9/25, at 9 am, in our regular chapter meeting, we will discuss our strategy. Please join us in person (Homewood campus, Gilman 208) or on Zoom. (If you are not a member, you can join here, then let us know to receive the meeting information).
Also, on Friday, 9/25, 5pm, we will host an informational event titled “Understanding Compact 2.0,” co-organized with AAUP Penn and hosting two Penn faculty who published “Linda McMahon’s Letter to Colleges Is a Trap” in the New York Times a few weeks ago. They will discuss these issues and others. The event is open to all and is entirely on Zoom. Please spread the word! We have to ensure that all our colleagues are well informed.
By Monday 9/28, we will circulate a list of guidelines and suggested responses summarizing our discussion and the conclusions we reach in the chapter meeting.
From 9/28 to 10/9, when the university survey closes, we will work together to spread the word, keep our community well informed, and ensure faculty voices are represented.
When the first draft is released, we will hold a town hall and forum discussions to address it and to collect and coordinate our responses.
Stay the course! Your voices matter!
For more information, check out this background document and a conversation guide.
