The Trump administration has ignited a firestorm in higher education this week by unveiling a sweeping proposal dubbed the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”. The initiative promises substantial federal grants to universities that align with a set of conservative priorities—but the blueprint for this compact was largely crafted outside the White House, with billionaire financier Marc Rowan playing a pivotal role.
Behind the Scenes: Rowan’s Quiet Influence
Marc Rowan, CEO of Apollo Global Management and a prominent donor to conservative causes, has long expressed concern over what he sees as ideological imbalance and mismanagement in American universities. His involvement in shaping the compact began months before the administration’s announcement, with a draft document circulated in early 2025 that mirrors much of the language now adopted by the federal government.
Rowan’s draft, labeled a “university support and eligibility agreement,” included provisions such as limiting international student enrollment, mandating standardized testing for admissions, and redefining academic freedom as “not absolute.” These ideas were later echoed verbatim in the government’s version of the compact.
Key Provisions of the Compact
- Cap international undergraduate enrollment at 15%.
- Freeze tuition for five years.
- Require SAT/ACT scores for admissions.
- Protect conservative speech and abolish units that “punish or belittle” such ideas.
- Ban race, sex, and ethnicity as admissions criteria.
- Mandate institutional neutrality in political debates.
- Define gender strictly for sports and facilities.
- Expand opportunities for veterans, including transfer credit recognition.
- Offer tuition-free education in hard sciences for select students.
Sources:
Universities Targeted
The compact was sent to nine prestigious institutions:
- Brown University
- Dartmouth College
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
- University of Pennsylvania
- University of Arizona
- University of Southern California
- University of Texas at Austin
- University of Virginia
- Vanderbilt University
Feedback is requested by October 20, 2025, though the letter described the compact as “largely in its final form.”
Rowan’s Track Record in Higher Ed
Rowan’s influence in academia is not new. In 2023, he led a campaign against University of Pennsylvania President M. Elizabeth Magill, accusing her administration of tolerating antisemitism amid pro-Palestinian activism. His persistent emails to trustees—numbered for emphasis—culminated in Magill’s resignation in December 2023.
Rowan’s advisory board at Wharton, Penn’s business school, also floated ideas like speech codes and governance reforms. His broader critique of academia includes concerns about “favored and disfavored groups” and what he calls “20 years of bad management.”
Mixed Reactions Across Academia
Responses to the compact have ranged from cautious optimism to outright condemnation. The University of Texas System said it was “honored” to be included, while others declined to comment. Critics, including the American Council on Education, warned that the compact threatens academic independence and free speech.
“Any effort to reward or punish institutions based on their adherence to the views of government officials should trouble all Americans,” said ACE President Ted Mitchell.
California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a stark warning: any California university that signs the compact could lose billions in state funding, including access to Cal Grants.
Financial Titans Behind the Push
Rowan isn’t alone. Stephen Schwarzman, CEO of Blackstone, has emerged as a key intermediary between Harvard University and the federal government in resolving disputes over research funding. Together, these financial heavyweights are reshaping the conversation around campus governance and federal support.
What’s Next?
With the compact now in circulation, universities face a critical decision: align with the Trump administration’s vision and receive federal incentives, or risk alienating donors, students, and state governments. The deadline for feedback looms, and the implications for American higher education could be profound.
As Rowan put it in a recent interview, “U.S. universities were and are the envy of the world. We can destroy that. We can lose it.”
