In a meeting Tuesday, Arts & Sciences Dean Feng Sheng Hu told faculty that Chancellor Andrew D. Martin doesn’t plan to sign the Trump administration’s compact for universities. (Curran Neenan | Student Life)

Dean of WashU’s College of Arts & Sciences, Feng Sheng Hu, told faculty at a meeting on Tuesday that Chancellor Andrew D. Martin does not plan to sign the Trump administration’s compact for higher education in its current form, according to five faculty in attendance. Hu reportedly said he had spoken with Martin, who shared that he didn’t plan to sign the compact.

The faculty members said that Hu did not rule out further conversations between WashU and the Trump administration over the compact or other issues. They said Hu also announced his own opposition to the compact in the meeting. Hu did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication. 

Global Studies and French professor Seth Graebner, one of the faculty who was present, wrote in an email to Student Life that he believed most faculty were relieved to hear the news announced at the meeting, but he also believed they remained anxious about the negotiations ahead. 

“It remains unclear what the chancellor could still be talking about with the administration in Washington. Faculty remain concerned about that, and learned nothing about the subject or substance of those talks,” Graebner wrote. “As yet the faculty do not have assurance that this whole episode is over, though they were encouraged by what they heard.” 

Universities were asked to provide “limited, targeted feedback” in writing to the Trump administration on the compact by Monday, Oct. 20, The Washington Post reported. WashU administration has not responded to a Student Life request to confirm whether or not Martin submitted written input. The Trump administration aims to have “a signed agreement” by Nov. 21, according to a letter sent to the president of the University of Virginia and obtained by The Cavalier Daily. 

The compact, titled Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, requires participating institutions to limit international student enrollment, protect conservative speech, require standardized testing for admissions, not raise tuition for five years, and commit to institutional neutrality. It also requires schools to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and define gender based on “reproductive function and biological processes,” among other measures.

In return, an accompanying cover letter promised “substantial and meaningful federal grants” for schools that sign up, though those universities could also have their funding jeopardized if the Justice Department believes they are violating the agreement.

As of Monday night, no universities have yet signed the compact, and seven have rejected it. 

Student Life previously reported that Martin met virtually with White House representatives to discuss the compact last Friday afternoon, Oct. 17. On Monday, Martin explained his choice to attend the meeting in an email to students, saying it was important that WashU be involved. 

“It’s important for WashU to have a seat at the table for these discussions. As one of the nation’s leading research universities, we bring a valuable perspective shaped by our commitment to academic excellence, student access, and our positive and meaningful impact on society,” Martin wrote. 

Hu’s comments at the meeting come after the WashU chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) released a statement on their website expressing strong opposition to the compact on Friday.

“Anything other than servile obedience to the administration’s political priorities would, under this Compact, result in a loss of access to student loans, grant programs, federal contracts, funding for research, approval of visas, and tax exemption,” the AAUP statement reads.

Additionally, members of the Faculty Senate Council (FSC) shared strong opposition to the compact in a meeting with Provost Mark West on Monday. 

“FSC received hundreds of emails, text messages, phone calls, and office visits from Faculty Senate members articulating the serious threats the Compact poses to academic freedom, educational integrity and scientific inquiry,” FSC leadership wrote in a memorandum to WashU faculty. “No university should strive for or be given preferential treatment by our federal government in exchange for compliance with one political ideology.” 

On Monday morning, 19 student organizations signed on to a statement on instagram urging Martin not to sign the compact. In addition, students are circulating a petition opposing the compact and planning a demonstration against it for Thursday, Oct. 23, during the faculty senate’s emergency finances meeting with the administration, according to a newly created Instagram account. 

Additional reporting by Riley Herron.