The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (M.I.T.) has made headlines by rejecting a White House proposal known as the 'Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.' This proposal, which was sent to nine universities, offered special funding in exchange for compliance with conservative policies, including capping international student enrollment and freezing tuition for five years. M.I.T. President Sally Kornbluth emphasized that the university already meets many of the proposal's standards but disagrees with its restrictions on free expression. The White House criticized M.I.T.'s decision, claiming it undermines student interests. Other universities, including Brown and Dartmouth, have taken a more cautious approach, with some delaying decisions or expressing concerns about the compact's implications for academic freedom. The situation highlights the tension between political influence and the independence of higher education institutions.