Story perspectives

University of Pennsylvania Rejects Controversial Enrollment Compact

10/17/2025

Summary

Story summary

The University of Pennsylvania rejected the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, third institution to do so.
The compact offered funding in exchange for concessions, capping international enrollment and restricting admissions.
Penn President J. Larry Jameson notified the United States Department of Education, emphasizing merit-based achievement.
Governor Josh Shapiro and officials praised the decision, while Brown and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology declined and some institutions remain under review.

History

Historical Context

The Higher Education Act of 1965 significantly increased federal funding for colleges, influencing enrollment policies. The recent rejection of the Compact for Academic Excellence by the University of Pennsylvania, along with institutions like MIT and Brown, underscores a shift towards prioritizing institutional autonomy over federal incentives, potentially reshaping future funding strategies and admission practices in U.S. higher education.

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Story summary

The University of Pennsylvania rejected the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, third institution to do so.
The compact offered funding in exchange for concessions, capping international enrollment and restricting admissions.
Penn President J. Larry Jameson notified the United States Department of Education, emphasizing merit-based achievement.
Governor Josh Shapiro and officials praised the decision, while Brown and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology declined and some institutions remain under review.

1 / 2