Chancellor Daniel Diermeier sent an email to the Vanderbilt community on Oct. 20 explaining the university’s ongoing process of responding to the presidential administration’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” In the email, he explains that the university was not asked to accept or reject the compact but rather to provide feedback on it.
Vanderbilt and eight other schools received a letter on Oct. 1 asking them to provide feedback on this compact, which offers benefits including preferential access to federal funding in exchange for abiding by a particular set of principles outlined in the document. In a copy of the letter obtained by The Cavalier Daily, universities were asked to provide feedback by Oct. 20 with the goal of having a signed agreement no later than Nov. 21.
Diermeier shared that Vanderbilt and other university leaders participated in a conversation on Oct. 17 with the presidential administration about creating a process to provide productive feedback on the compact, and Vanderbilt plans to share its input through that process. According to the Wall Street Journal, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Kansas, Arizona State University, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Arizona, Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia were also invited to this meeting.
According to Diermeier, the university’s response will be grounded in its principles, particularly institutional neutrality.
“Since the compact could directly affect our teaching, research and other operations, our policy of institutional neutrality not only permits comment by the university’s leadership, it encourages it,” Diermeier said. “Therefore, Vanderbilt will continue to share our point of view with the administration, just as we have previously shared our perspective at the local, state and federal level — most recently regarding the tax on university endowments and proposed restrictions on visas for international students.”
Diermeier also discussed the importance of academic freedom, free expression and merit-based research awards in his email and mentioned that community input continues to be invaluable in the process of responding to the compact.
Since the compact was sent to Vanderbilt almost three weeks ago, students, faculty and community members have created petitions, organized rallies and passed resolutions expressing their opinions on whether Vanderbilt should sign the compact.
“We look forward to continuing the conversation — on our campus and with leaders in government and higher education — as we work toward our shared goal of restoring public trust in higher education and ensuring that America’s universities remain the best in the world,” Diermeier said.
Of the nine schools to which the compact was initially sent, six have indicated they will not sign the document. Massachusetts Institute of Technology was the first to publicly decline the compact, and following its decision, Trump invited all colleges to “enter into a forward looking Agreement with the Federal Government.” Brown University, the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California were the next schools to decline to sign the compact, followed by UVA and Dartmouth, — both of which explicitly declined to sign after the meeting attended by Vanderbilt and members of the presidential administration last Friday.
Suresh Garimella, president of the University of Arizona, released a statement on the school’s website on Oct. 20 that a call with federal government representatives clarified the Trump administration was seeking feedback, not an absolute response. Garimella sent Linda McMahon, U.S. secretary of education, a letter outlining the “University of Arizona’s Statement of Principles” that he hopes will be continued.
“Our principles affirm that our university community remains rooted in the pursuit of excellence with clear standards, transparency, and accountability,” Garimella wrote. “We welcome the opportunity to engage other universities, higher education associations, members of Congress, and your administration to advance and implement our principles in alignment with the national interest.”
UT Austin initially said it was “honored” to be among the nine universities invited to provide feedback on the compact, but it has not yet released a decision.
Shawn P. Kelly • Oct 23, 2025 at 7:08 am CDT
In addition to the benefit of standing strong in the face of outrageous authoritarian demands, Vanderbilt has other interests that may be affected by a cowardly surrender to Trump’s demands.
Here in San Francisco, where I have lived since I graduated from Vanderbilt in 1978, there is news that Vanderbilt is in discussions to open an extension campus here. I can assure the Vanderbilt administration that any hope to have this approved by local leaders will be ended if Vanderbilt capitulates to Trump.
As we breathlessly await the arrival here of the National Guard, San Franciscans will be on the front lines of resistance to Trump. We will revolt against a compact with Vanderbilt if it yields to Trump’s extortion. And I will gladly join that opposition, despite my long-standing pride in my association with Vsndy.
Free in Virginia • Oct 22, 2025 at 1:47 pm CDT
Because of this, Vanderbilt is the only Ivy my valedictorian son is applying to.
John A Long • Oct 22, 2025 at 7:39 pm CDT
Vanderbilt is not in the Ivy League. That would be good information to have since you’re paying for the application fee.
Free of knowledge • Oct 22, 2025 at 8:27 pm CDT
And the unique access to the ocean it provides as well!!
Andrea McDonnell • Oct 22, 2025 at 10:10 am CDT
What did you expect? Ethical behavior? Consideration for loyal alums who have been played for fools? The Board of Trust is packed with Trumpite billionaires, and far too many of their children were admitted in return for fat donations. Vanderbilt lost its sense of decency twenty years ago. Blame Diermeier for arrant cowardice, but blame Zeppos for setting up the culture of corruption–and for the $55 million that Vanderbilt just shelled out to cover his crimes in a major, major antitrust lawsuit.
Lynne Berry • Oct 22, 2025 at 9:04 am CDT
Hustler, your fair reporting in this time is critical. Statements from Diermeier *must* be fact-checked, as he has shown himself to be disingenuous at best.
The article says: “In the email, he explains that the university was not asked to accept or reject the compact but rather to provide feedback on it.”
This is incredibly misleading – and dangerous.
Here is the final paragraph of the cover letter to the compact:
“The Compact is attached. It is largely in its final form, but we welcome limited, targeted feedback to ensure mutual alignment. We would appreciate comments, in writing, no later than October 20, 2025. After receiving feedback, schools that show clear alignment and a strong readiness to champion this effort will be invited to the White House to finalize language and be initial signatories. We are aiming to have a signed agreement no later than November 21, 2025.”
This language makes perfectly clear, not only are we expected to accept or reject, but the feedback requested is in fact one and the same with our admissions test for the inaugural class of the compliant – if our feedback expresses sufficient intent to obey, we will be among the first signatories.
I think we can assume, based on Diermeier’s complete capitulation to the WH thus far, his feedback will express more than sufficient intent to obey.
In other words: we’ve been asked to accept or reject, and unlike seven other universities who did not have any trouble understanding the terms and rejected the compact, we have taken step #1 toward acceptance.
What is happening is very dangerous, and when you fail to fact-check Diermeier’s statements, you are simply not doing the fundamental job of the media, which is to hold power accountable.
If you review the cover letter paragraph closely, I think you will find multiple additional contradictions with what Diermeier has led the community to believe.
Leslie Parham • Oct 22, 2025 at 5:10 am CDT
Once you give in to Trump, he owns you. Do not sign this compact. I graduated in 1977. This compact will destroy Vanderbilt. I am so disappointed.
MEREDITH Wanner Gould • Oct 21, 2025 at 5:03 pm CDT
I think the offer to these universities deserves an immediate and resounding NO and it’s disappointing that there is any consideration whatsoever by any university of forming an alignment with the federal government that may compromise academic freedom.
Joshua Mastin • Oct 21, 2025 at 3:17 pm CDT
Chancellor Diermeier:
As an alumnus of Vanderbilt University (Class of 2011), I have always considered Vanderbilt to be among the most highly esteemed universities in the world. One thing that I particularly treasured during my time on campus was the culture of inclusivity which persisted among the students; it was a time of personal discovery, intellectual and spiritual growth, and an opportunity to forge connections which I continue to treasure even to this day.
With that being said, I am very disappointed in the stance (or lack of one) that has been taken regarding this “compact.” Your own statement, while it sounds great in theory, demonstrated a sycophantic attempt at appeasing a political entity which is practically forcing its principles onto our fine university; principles which, frankly, do the exact opposite of promoting values of openness and cultural inclusivity. This compact will inevitably result in further alienation of students who are completely blameless; furthermore, it foments the same culture of political oppression and indolent discrimination that this current Administration is keen (and dedicated) on establishing in the country. “Institutional neutrality” is, therefore, impossible when the President of the United States is attempting to severely cap the number of international students who can attend Vanderbilt University for the sake of political leverage, Chancellor Diermeier. The Vanderbilt University that I graduated from was a center of academia characterized by endless opportunity and growth, as well as an opportunity to develop long-lasting friendships with those who are unlike ourselves; the Vanderbilt University that the current political administration is promoting does the exact opposite. Stand for the students who are being actively disenfranchised by the current political establishment; do not bend the knee to a President who seeks to use our institution for his own political purposes. Stand for Vanderbilt, Chancellor Diermeier.
Esther Hecht Cohn • Oct 21, 2025 at 12:47 pm CDT
As a Vanderbilt graduate, the mother and aunt (undergraduate degrees) and daughter- in -law, sister -in -law (medical school degrees) and aunt- in -law (graduate business degree) of Vanderbilt students and the niece of the first woman member of the Vanderbilt Board of Trust, I am greatly disappointed at Chanellor Diermeir’s cowardly failure to immediately reject Trump’s bullying. He should stand up for academic freedom and independence. I believe that Alexander Heard, a fine man and outstanding chancellor, wouldn’t have had to give this a second thought. I hope that the current chancellor has some integrity and rejects this compact and stops being “noncommittal.” I am ashamed of Vanderbilt’s failure to denounce this immediately and soundly!
John Long • Oct 21, 2025 at 12:09 pm CDT
“Since the compact could directly affect our teaching, research and other operations, our policy of institutional neutrality not only permits comment by the university’s leadership, it encourages it.”
This is gobbletygook. “Our policy of neutrality means we cannot reject the compact, even though it goes against our core values, so in being neutral we must speak out.” Nonsensical.
Of course, Diermeier sounds ridiculous because he’s twisting himself in knots trying to defend the indefensible. Everyone sees plainly what the “compact” was–another attempt by the Trump administration to bully America’s universities. Diermeier keeps pretending this is happening in a vacuum when it’s actually one small part of an unprecedented assault on higher education. Responding to this “compact” as though it were a good-faith proposal by a normal administration makes him look naive, at best.
Remaining silent in the face of such an attack isn’t “neutrality”–it’s proactively an abandonment of the university’s core values. It’s also foolishly shortsided. The Chancellor should have learned his lesson. His refusal to sign a letter of solidarity with 600+ other university and college presidents opposing arbitrary federal funding cuts bought him no favor with the Trump administration.
Vanderbilt will not get another dime from this graduate and former member of the Alumni Board until he changes course.
Thomas Paine • Oct 21, 2025 at 10:47 am CDT
The only response is no response. No reason to dignify it.
Given that there has been a response it should have been an extended middle finger to the authoritarian.
Not this weak attempt to pacify.
There should be an effort in Tennessee to oust the current senators and other congress members that support him. Take the lead on that.
You are a local esteemed institution.
Speak up.
Use your power.
While you can.
Are there no political science, social science or psychology departments at Vanderbilt?
Has nobody there read Arendt or Bernays?
It need not be just about education or free speech.
He is sending troops into Memphis.
Then when for Nashville?
Or your campus?
For what?
Power and control.
Someone misused the term common sense on this thread. Apparently no idea of how upset the Founders and Paine would be at this situation they tried to set up checks and balances to stop.
Philip Cherner • Oct 21, 2025 at 9:58 am CDT
Dear Chancellor Diermeier,
Thanks for the platitudes, but now is the time for stiff resolve. Do not repeat their errors of Vandy’s segregationist past. The stain of James Lawson’s expulsion is too fresh in our memories. Vandy must stand for freedom of expression. That cuts both ways. Those who yearn for a presidency occupied by a person of integrity are rightly appalled by the office’s current occupant, a felon, sex abuser and serial liar. Their voices should be amplified whenever possible. (And those who, however misguided, sing his praises equally share the right to do so.) Free speech is our constitution’s most precious gift, but it only exists if we defend it when threatened.
Vandy needs to stand up, and that takes a spine.
Anna O’Neal • Oct 21, 2025 at 6:15 am CDT
Very disappointed in this as a double alum. My dollars will be going elsewhere in the future. Every other school outright rejected the compact, which is an atrocious piece of fascist trash, and Vanderbilt decides to be the only school that bends the knee (partially) and tries to walk some kind for line? There is absolutely no room in this country for “bargaining” with a man who wants a third term as president. This administration publicly denounces higher education and have blamed it for many things including shootings. You cannot have it both ways Vanderbilt. I suspect the chancellor is scared of losing federal money. Well it will be interesting to see what happens to the endowment when disgruntled alumnae withdraw our financial support. Reject this compact outright. Do not be cowards.
Common Sense 1998 • Oct 20, 2025 at 8:25 pm CDT
Diermeier continues to hold himself out well as a representative of the university, giving due consideration to the interests of the institution and its alumni as a whole. Well done.
Commodore 86 • Oct 20, 2025 at 8:52 pm CDT
I’m sorry but I disagree. There should be no preferential treatment in the competition for Federal research grant funding tied to any political party’s agenda. End of story.
Honesty2025 • Oct 21, 2025 at 8:36 am CDT
There absolutely was preferential treatment before this even by Vanderbilt and the previous Government Administration. So why do you object to it now? Double standards?? DEI is a racist group disregarding merit and American students Should come first!
Linda Dabrowski • Oct 21, 2025 at 2:23 pm CDT
I must have missed the creation of a group called DEI. Where can I find out more information about this group?
Commodore 86 • Oct 21, 2025 at 4:57 pm CDT
You clearly have never competed for Federal research funding, so stay in your lane. Research grants should be merit based. As a Vanderbilt researcher, we have never received preferential treatment. It would be very unfair if University of Texas researchers were given a leg up over any other institution because Texas signed the compact. Vanderbilt should also not accept such “help” because the Chancellor didn’t reject this abomination.
Louis • Oct 20, 2025 at 9:40 pm CDT
The person who hides behind un”Common Sense 1998” apparently thinks the University faculty gave no “due consideration to the interest of the institution.” Not well done Chancellor Diermeier