Despite Brown’s alignment with some goals of the Compact — as well as Brown’s own commitments to affordability and the free exchange of ideas — provisions that restrict academic freedom, undermine the autonomy of Brown’s governance and tie research funding to criteria other than the likely positive impacts of the research would impede the University’s ability to fulfill its mission, Paxson asserted.
“While we value our long-held and well-regarded partnership with the federal government, Brown is respectfully declining to join the Compact,” Paxson wrote. “We remain committed to the July agreement and its preservation of Brown’s core values in ways that the Compact — in any form — fundamentally would not.”
Paxson wrote in the response to the White House that she shares the overall goal stated in the federal government’s letter describing the Compact: “to renew and strengthen the vital, mutually beneficial relationship between the U.S. Government and higher education that is essential to our nation’s future and success.”
“I share this goal and strongly agree with the importance of sustaining a relationship that historically has made our country’s education and research enterprise the best in the world,” she wrote. “Indeed, soon after the transition to the current federal administration, I affirmed that Brown would work with the government to find solutions if there were concerns about the way the University fulfills its academic mission. I remain committed to contributing to national conversations about principles for improving American higher education.”
Paxson shared news of the decision and a copy of her response to the White House in an Oct. 15 message to the Brown community. She noted that her decision to decline participation in the Compact aligns with the views of the vast majority of Brown stakeholders.
The Brown community will remain focused on meeting the commitments under the July 30 agreement, while safeguarding its mission and academic values, Paxson wrote. At the same time, she remains dedicated to participating “in dialogue anchored in these values” as discussions continue about how to improve American higher education.
“I maintain the firm belief that American colleges and universities are a cornerstone of innovation, growth, prosperity and national security for our nation,” she wrote. “Brown is committed to maintaining the excellence of our nation’s colleges and universities.”
Paxson’s response to the White House and message to the Brown community are available on Brown’s website.