Kirkland Hall at Vanderbilt University has become a focal point for debate regarding a new policy introduced by the Trump administration, which requires the university to sign a compliance agreement to access federal funding. This move is causing some unease among various campus organizations.

As of Wednesday, over 900 members of the Vanderbilt community, including students, faculty, and staff, have signed a petition against this agreement. The petition, titled “Do Not Sign the Vanderbilt-Trump Fascist Pact,” was initiated by the Vanderbilt Graduate Union Federation.

Similarly, the Vanderbilt chapter of the American Association of University Professors has voiced its concerns and is urging the university’s leadership to reject the agreement. A recent statement from the organization called the proposal a direct threat to academic freedom and, by extension, to the identity of the university and its role in society.

Last week, Vanderbilt was among nine prestigious universities approached by the Trump administration regarding the Compact on Academic Excellence in Higher Education. This ten-page document outlines a range of guidelines addressing various aspects of campus life, including admissions processes, the handling of campus speeches and protests, athletics, and faculty hiring practices.

Some key points mentioned in the compact are:

• Campus faculty and staff must “refrain from actions or statements related to social and political events, except when external events directly affect the university.”
• International students can make up no more than 15% of the student body.
• Administrators are required to curtail speech or actions that might “punish, belittle, or provoke violence against conservative ideas.”
• In situations where protests might hinder student activities or access to facilities, the agreement mandates that the administration take legal action to prevent violations and enforce strict penalties.

The agreement notes that institutions can choose to bypass these federal benefits if they wish to adopt different principles or models. In response to the development, Vanderbilt has stated that it intends to review the agreement thoroughly and provide constructive feedback to the administration.

Letters regarding this compact have also been sent to several other universities, including Brown University, Dartmouth College, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, among others.