Tell Universities: Protect academic freedom and equal access to higher education

The petition to ALL U.S. UNIVERSITIES, including Vanderbilt University, Dartmouth College, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Arizona, Brown University, and the University of Virginia reads:

Protect academic freedom and equal access to higher education for women and people of color. Reject Donald Trump's 'Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education'!

Trump initially asked nine top universities, including Vanderbilt, Dartmouth, and the University of Virginia, to sign a so-called 'Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.' Among other demands, it requires universities to forego any consideration of gender in the admissions process and it ends support for progressive programs, such as those advancing feminism and women's studies. After seven of those nine universities rejected Trump's offer, Trump has opened the offer up to all of America's colleges and universities. The implications of universities accepting this ultimatum are terrifying, and anathema to academic freedom and equal access to higher education.