How to answer Compact 2.0 survey
On August 3rd, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon issued Compact 2.0, calling on universities to commit to a list of demands that threaten university independence, academic freedom, and freedom of speech (click here to learn more).
On September 15, in response to faculty concerns, the university administration released an open online questionnaire to gather opinions on how to respond to Compact 2.0. We appreciate the university administration’s positive response to our asks. As we wrote in our published letter in the Chronicle of Higher Education, shared governance and transparent, open conversations are the only way forward in these difficult times.
However, the DoE letter is NOT a questionnaire. It was another episode in the federal government's attempt to force higher education to align with the Trump administration's political views by employing bullying and extortion cloaked in softer language.
In response, the Hopkins AAUP chapter has conducted wide-ranging consultations with faculty across Hopkins, with legal and policy allies in Maryland and around the country, and heard from our chapter members. Faculty views at Hopkins coalesced around these points:
In responding to Compact 2.0, we must reject its premises rather than treating it as a questionnaire that accepts its framing. Accepting the premises will compromise our independence by yielding to the Trump administration’s illegal encroachment and put Hopkins in a significantly more difficult legal position in future dealings with the federal government, under this or the next administration.
There are key points of agreement among faculty that should be emphasized; we have attached a guide to this email centered on these shared principles. The language in the guide reflects consultation with many Hopkins faculty, and you are welcome to use it as you wish. The guide includes a set of overarching principles and statements, as well as two sample responses shared by faculty representing the diversity of opinions, as well as our agreement on the relevant key issues. You may find that some of these bullet points speak to you while others do not; feel free to formulate your response around your own concerns and experiences at Hopkins.
There are serious security concerns about the questionnaire: Faculty raised many concerns about the survey’s lack of authentication, leaving it vulnerable to organized bot attacks and other malicious activity.
To address these concerns, faculty may send responses to the Hopkins AAUP chapter directly. Email us at: compactresponses@hopkinsaaup.org. We’ll summarize and share responses anonymously with university administration.
Submitting the university survey doesn’t prevent you from sharing your thoughts by replying to this email or writing to the dedicated address: compactresponses@hopkinsaaup.org.
What to do next:
You may choose to answer the survey: Use the attached guide and information to inform your response. Feel free to share your responses with us at this email: compactresponses@hopkinsaaup.org
Share your thoughts with Hopkins AAUP: Your thoughts matter in determining our actions and next steps by replying to this email or to compactresponses@hopkinsaaup.org.
Discuss Compact 2.0 in your department, senate, assembly, and with your colleagues: Share information and gather opinions! Our strength is in our diversity and solidarity!
Your voices matter, and your opinion makes a difference! We have to continue on our path to ensure shared governance and academic freedom.
