A historically Black university in North Carolina has stepped forward as the first to consider joining a new academic initiative proposed by President Donald Trump, a move that comes after numerous Ivy League and state universities declined the offer.
St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, with a legacy stretching back 158 years, expressed its interest through a letter to the Department of Education. Both the interim president, Verjanis Peoples, and the chair of the board of trustees, Sophie Gibson, signed the document, signaling a willingness to engage with the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.
The university’s leadership sees a potential alignment with the compact’s goals of strengthening academic standards, accountability, and transparency within American higher education. They believe their mission to expand educational opportunity resonates with these aspirations.
However, St. Augustine’s also acknowledges significant hurdles. The compact’s stipulations, particularly those barring consideration of race or ethnicity in admissions and financial aid, present a direct challenge to the core purpose of Historically Black Colleges and Universities – expanding access for Black students and marginalized communities.
A proposed five-year tuition freeze also raises concerns. HBCUs often operate with smaller endowments compared to larger institutions, making tuition revenue crucial for sustaining programs and supporting students. This restriction could create financial strain.
The compact’s limitations on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs and caps on international student admissions also pose potential conflicts. St. Augustine’s has long-standing global partnerships, particularly within the African diaspora, a vital part of its tradition.
Despite these challenges, the university remains optimistic. They are requesting a collaborative dialogue with the Department of Education, hoping to refine the compact to ensure it’s both rigorous and inclusive of the nation’s diverse higher education landscape.
St. Augustine’s emphasizes that its mission as an HBCU is not merely symbolic, but legally mandated and essential to the students and communities it serves. They seek a framework that upholds both the spirit and letter of the compact while safeguarding their unique statutory purpose.
The Trump administration had sought feedback from nine universities nationwide, setting a deadline of October 20th. However, institutions like MIT, the University of Arizona, Brown, Dartmouth, Penn, USC, and the University of Virginia all opted not to participate.
Vanderbilt University and the University of Texas at Austin have yet to make a final decision, leaving St. Augustine’s University as the first to seriously consider navigating the complexities and potential benefits of the proposed compact.
