The Academic Resistance
@academicresistance.bsky.social
Fighting the assault on higher education and science by the Trump administration. Defending science, academic freedom, and the power of knowledge. HANDS OFF HIGHER ED!
🔥 #DefendHigherEd #DefendScience
Run by academics. DM us with tips and resources.
🔥 #DefendHigherEd #DefendScience
Run by academics. DM us with tips and resources.
Trump's proposed $980M cut to federal work-study programs would slash support for students working to offset college costs, hurting access, equity, and campus jobs. Attacks on student aid threaten opportunity for those who need it most. theconversation.com/trumps-propo...
Trump’s proposed cuts to work study threaten to upend a widely supported program that helps students offset college costs
Federal work study creates opportunities for students and universities alike. But the program’s challenges go beyond the potential government funding cuts.
theconversation.com
November 14, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Trump's proposed $980M cut to federal work-study programs would slash support for students working to offset college costs, hurting access, equity, and campus jobs. Attacks on student aid threaten opportunity for those who need it most. theconversation.com/trumps-propo...
Reposted by The Academic Resistance
The AAUP condemns proposals before the Texas A&M Board of Regents that require the college president to approve “course content & materials” for courses that cover topics on “race, gender ideology, or gender identity.”
Full statement:
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/natio...
@texasaaup.bsky.social
Full statement:
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/natio...
@texasaaup.bsky.social
National AAUP Demands End to Texas A&M Censorship
JOIN: Join Texas AAUP and here are several reasons to join
aaup-texas.org
November 11, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The AAUP condemns proposals before the Texas A&M Board of Regents that require the college president to approve “course content & materials” for courses that cover topics on “race, gender ideology, or gender identity.”
Full statement:
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/natio...
@texasaaup.bsky.social
Full statement:
aaup-texas.org/blog/f/natio...
@texasaaup.bsky.social
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act threatens academic health systems with tighter budgets, as patients lose coverage and hospitals bear more unpaid care. This could slow hiring and reduce staff, jeopardizing care & training. A grave concern for healthcare's future. www.theeduledger.com/leadership-p...
A Grave Concern: One Big Beautiful Bill Act Will Have a Debilitating Effect on Academic Health Systems, Some Stakeholders Say
The mass loss of health care coverage will ultimately shrink the size and capabilities of the health care workforce. These imminent fiscal challenges come at a time when the U.S. is already facing a p...
www.theeduledger.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:58 PM
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act threatens academic health systems with tighter budgets, as patients lose coverage and hospitals bear more unpaid care. This could slow hiring and reduce staff, jeopardizing care & training. A grave concern for healthcare's future. www.theeduledger.com/leadership-p...
Federal higher ed data at risk: with the Dept. of Ed gutted & NCES threatened with relocation, collaboration is harder and quality could slip. Even small new grants, like the $4.5M “Seedlings to Scale” program, are just a drop in an $800M bucket. Data matters. hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
Advocates warn of risks to higher ed data if Education Department is shuttered
But new hires and fresh research grants hint at a quiet rebuilding effort
hechingerreport.org
November 10, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Federal higher ed data at risk: with the Dept. of Ed gutted & NCES threatened with relocation, collaboration is harder and quality could slip. Even small new grants, like the $4.5M “Seedlings to Scale” program, are just a drop in an $800M bucket. Data matters. hechingerreport.org/proof-points...
America’s longest shutdown is crushing higher ed. Research halted, SNAP cut, military students stranded, and faculty left with soaring costs. Exhaustion grows as students and staff face uncertainty, with no end in sight. www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
Higher Ed Feels “Cumulative Exhaustion” of Longest Shutdown
Worries about access to health care, food, research funding and tuition assistance are mounting on college campuses as the record-breaking government shutdown persists.
www.insidehighered.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:43 PM
America’s longest shutdown is crushing higher ed. Research halted, SNAP cut, military students stranded, and faculty left with soaring costs. Exhaustion grows as students and staff face uncertainty, with no end in sight. www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
Reposted by The Academic Resistance
"When we sound the alarm, we call others to take action alongside us. The time for urgent response is here. Together, higher education can take coordinated steps to defend our institutions & community members."
Now is the time to speak out and build coalitions on our campuses!
#defendhighered
Now is the time to speak out and build coalitions on our campuses!
#defendhighered
Higher Ed Must Take Action on Immigration Policy (opinion)
Higher ed must take decisive action to counter the Trump administration’s harmful immigration policies.
www.insidehighered.com
November 6, 2025 at 3:41 PM
"When we sound the alarm, we call others to take action alongside us. The time for urgent response is here. Together, higher education can take coordinated steps to defend our institutions & community members."
Now is the time to speak out and build coalitions on our campuses!
#defendhighered
Now is the time to speak out and build coalitions on our campuses!
#defendhighered
Trump’s new EO lets political appointees decide which federal research grants get funded, threatening peer review, scientific innovation, & academic freedom. This drives scientists and vital research overseas, undermining the U.S. as a global leader in science. www.highereddive.com/news/researc...
‘End of an era’: Experts warn research executive order could stifle scientific innovation
The directive gives President Donald Trump’s political appointees oversight of grant awards to align them with the administration’s priorities.
www.highereddive.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Trump’s new EO lets political appointees decide which federal research grants get funded, threatening peer review, scientific innovation, & academic freedom. This drives scientists and vital research overseas, undermining the U.S. as a global leader in science. www.highereddive.com/news/researc...
States must step up as federal college aid collapses: new Ed Trust report exposes huge affordability gaps for Black & low-income students. With Pell Grants slashed and costs soaring, state investment is now crucial for access, equity, and economic growth. www.theeduledger.com/leadership-p...
States Must Step Up as Federal College Aid Crumbles, New Report Warns
The report from The Education Trust examines state financial aid programs in Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota, revealing that while some states are making progress, critical gaps remain in helping stu...
www.theeduledger.com
October 31, 2025 at 12:50 PM
States must step up as federal college aid collapses: new Ed Trust report exposes huge affordability gaps for Black & low-income students. With Pell Grants slashed and costs soaring, state investment is now crucial for access, equity, and economic growth. www.theeduledger.com/leadership-p...
The Trump admin’s Title VI crackdown on universities is more about ideological control than civil rights. Using antisemitism as a pretext to pull billions in funding sets a dangerous precedent, threatening research and academic freedom across higher ed. www.highereddive.com/news/title-v...
The legal debate over Trump’s Title VI campus crackdown
Recent enforcement actions have set off high-stakes arguments about whether the federal government is weaponizing the civil rights law.
www.highereddive.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:53 PM
The Trump admin’s Title VI crackdown on universities is more about ideological control than civil rights. Using antisemitism as a pretext to pull billions in funding sets a dangerous precedent, threatening research and academic freedom across higher ed. www.highereddive.com/news/title-v...
New FIRE survey reveals faculty targeted for speech face little public support from unions, admins, and colleagues leading to emotional distress, job loss, even fear for safety. Academic freedom feels increasingly insecure. Where’s solidarity when it counts? www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Sanctioned Faculty Find Little Public Support: FIRE Survey
Scholars targeted for their speech report emotional distress, low confidence in academic freedom on their campuses and little public support from administrators and unions, according to a new survey f...
www.insidehighered.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:53 PM
New FIRE survey reveals faculty targeted for speech face little public support from unions, admins, and colleagues leading to emotional distress, job loss, even fear for safety. Academic freedom feels increasingly insecure. Where’s solidarity when it counts? www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Reposted by The Academic Resistance
“By narrowing who counts, what knowledge survives, & whose voices are heard, it strikes at the very conditions of civic life. To dismantle universities is not simply to shutter classrooms or cut research; it is to strip away our collective memory of the past & narrow the horizons of the future.”
October 28, 2025 at 3:33 PM
“By narrowing who counts, what knowledge survives, & whose voices are heard, it strikes at the very conditions of civic life. To dismantle universities is not simply to shutter classrooms or cut research; it is to strip away our collective memory of the past & narrow the horizons of the future.”
Higher ed leaders are fighting for an exemption from Trump’s new $100K H-1B visa fee, warning it will undermine international student access, research, and critical university functions. This policy threatens the excellence and innovation of US colleges. www.highereddive.com/news/higher-...
Higher ed groups push for colleges to be exempt from $100K H-1B visa fee
The American Council on Education led a letter to U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that argues these visa holders perform vital work.
www.highereddive.com
October 29, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Higher ed leaders are fighting for an exemption from Trump’s new $100K H-1B visa fee, warning it will undermine international student access, research, and critical university functions. This policy threatens the excellence and innovation of US colleges. www.highereddive.com/news/higher-...
Despite headlines doubting its value, new data shows a college degree still delivers strong payoffs for students and all of society. College grads earn about $1.2M more over their lifetimes, boost the economy, give back more, and strengthen our communities. theconversation.com/despite-nays...
Despite naysayers and rising costs, data shows that college still pays off for students – and society overall
A recent survey shows a dramatic drop in people who consider a college degree to be very important from 2010 to this year.
theconversation.com
October 28, 2025 at 12:33 PM
Despite headlines doubting its value, new data shows a college degree still delivers strong payoffs for students and all of society. College grads earn about $1.2M more over their lifetimes, boost the economy, give back more, and strengthen our communities. theconversation.com/despite-nays...
The Trump “compact” forces universities to surrender academic freedom, diversity, and student access—all for federal dollars. This is a corrupt, unconstitutional power grab that endangers the future of higher education in America. Reject this sellout. www.theeduledger.com/opinion/arti...
Selling Out Students for Federal Dollars: How Trump’s Compact Corrupts Higher Education
Put simply, the compact is forcing college to sell out their students and institutional integrity for an unenforceable, unpredictable future promise of federal research dollars.
www.theeduledger.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:14 PM
The Trump “compact” forces universities to surrender academic freedom, diversity, and student access—all for federal dollars. This is a corrupt, unconstitutional power grab that endangers the future of higher education in America. Reject this sellout. www.theeduledger.com/opinion/arti...
"7 of 9 top universities just told Trump’s so-called ‘Compact for Academic Excellence’ to take a hike. Merit over MAGA mandates, thanks. Free speech & real science > political pay-for-play. The era of academic autonomy isn’t up for auction. www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
Reading Between the Lines on Compact Responses
Universities that rejected the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education emphasized merit in their responses and highlighted core values in turning it down.
www.insidehighered.com
October 24, 2025 at 12:30 PM
"7 of 9 top universities just told Trump’s so-called ‘Compact for Academic Excellence’ to take a hike. Merit over MAGA mandates, thanks. Free speech & real science > political pay-for-play. The era of academic autonomy isn’t up for auction. www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
President Trump’s “Compact for Academic Excellence” is a direct threat to academic freedom with forced “viewpoint diversity” quotas and institutional gag rules. University independence shouldn’t depend on loyalty pledges or political litmus tests. www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
How the Compact Curtails Academic Freedom (opinion)
The Trump administration’s proposed compact with colleges would violate academic freedom and freedom of expression in three broad areas.
www.insidehighered.com
October 23, 2025 at 12:46 PM
President Trump’s “Compact for Academic Excellence” is a direct threat to academic freedom with forced “viewpoint diversity” quotas and institutional gag rules. University independence shouldn’t depend on loyalty pledges or political litmus tests. www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
Reposted by The Academic Resistance
"If Kirk interacted with students in a classroom the way he does in the videos I watched, he would be exposed immediately as a terrible teacher. At any college or university that cared about quality teaching & the intellectual growth of its students, Kirk would have been sent packing in a hurry."
October 20, 2025 at 2:09 PM
"If Kirk interacted with students in a classroom the way he does in the videos I watched, he would be exposed immediately as a terrible teacher. At any college or university that cared about quality teaching & the intellectual growth of its students, Kirk would have been sent packing in a hurry."
The US Chamber just sued the WH to block Trump’s outrageous $100K H-1B visa fee, calling it a “plainly unlawful” power grab that will choke off global talent & cripple American businesses, especially startups. This fee is an attack on innovation & economic growth! www.hrdive.com/news/us-cham...
US Chamber sues White House to block ‘plainly unlawful’ H-1B visa fee
The organization alleged President Donald Trump’s proclamation would harm businesses, and it asked a district court to enjoin the $100,000 payment requirement.
www.hrdive.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:43 PM
The US Chamber just sued the WH to block Trump’s outrageous $100K H-1B visa fee, calling it a “plainly unlawful” power grab that will choke off global talent & cripple American businesses, especially startups. This fee is an attack on innovation & economic growth! www.hrdive.com/news/us-cham...
Fishkin’s Inside Higher Ed piece argues that Trump’s compact is an authoritarian power grab over higher ed, demanding ideological conformity, banning “anti-American” students, and letting DOJ strip funding at will. Nonacquiescence = resistance. www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
Rejecting the Compact Is an Opportunity (opinion)
The only action needed now is no action at all, Joseph Fishkin writes.
www.insidehighered.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Fishkin’s Inside Higher Ed piece argues that Trump’s compact is an authoritarian power grab over higher ed, demanding ideological conformity, banning “anti-American” students, and letting DOJ strip funding at will. Nonacquiescence = resistance. www.insidehighered.com/opinion/view...
The Trump administration’s compact offers federal funding priority but only if they freeze tuition, suppress protests, overhaul governance, and limit international students. Seven universities have already said no. “Nothing less than government control.” www.highereddive.com/news/trump-u...
‘Nothing less than government control’: Higher ed responds to Trump’s compact
Federal officials offered preferential funding treatment to nine initial colleges in exchange for sweeping changes. Here’s how they replied.
www.highereddive.com
October 21, 2025 at 12:31 PM
The Trump administration’s compact offers federal funding priority but only if they freeze tuition, suppress protests, overhaul governance, and limit international students. Seven universities have already said no. “Nothing less than government control.” www.highereddive.com/news/trump-u...
Trump’s “Higher Ed Compact” demands universities freeze tuition, ban race/sex in admissions, slash intl enrollment, and pledge “neutrality” to keep federal funds. Six schools have already refused it as an attack on academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
5 Things to Know About Trump’s Higher Ed Compact
Nine universities were asked to give “limited, targeted feedback” on the proposal by today. So far, six have rejected the deal.
www.insidehighered.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Trump’s “Higher Ed Compact” demands universities freeze tuition, ban race/sex in admissions, slash intl enrollment, and pledge “neutrality” to keep federal funds. Six schools have already refused it as an attack on academic freedom and institutional autonomy.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Reposted by The Academic Resistance
UPDATE:
4 Down
5 to Go
Who’s Next?
When students, faculty, & our communities are united, nothing can stop us.
Join us for our national teach in on the growing resistance movement to Trump’s ‘Loyalty Oath’ Compact today at 2PM ET:
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
#DefendHigherEd
4 Down
5 to Go
Who’s Next?
When students, faculty, & our communities are united, nothing can stop us.
Join us for our national teach in on the growing resistance movement to Trump’s ‘Loyalty Oath’ Compact today at 2PM ET:
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
#DefendHigherEd
October 17, 2025 at 1:25 PM
UPDATE:
4 Down
5 to Go
Who’s Next?
When students, faculty, & our communities are united, nothing can stop us.
Join us for our national teach in on the growing resistance movement to Trump’s ‘Loyalty Oath’ Compact today at 2PM ET:
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
#DefendHigherEd
4 Down
5 to Go
Who’s Next?
When students, faculty, & our communities are united, nothing can stop us.
Join us for our national teach in on the growing resistance movement to Trump’s ‘Loyalty Oath’ Compact today at 2PM ET:
us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
#DefendHigherEd
Reposted by The Academic Resistance
4 universities have now said no—to Trump’s Faustian bargain- Penn, USC, Brown, and MIT. Standing up- by AAUP and AFT, our members, our students & our communities- is working. www.cnn.com/2025/10/16/u...
4 universities decline White House offer for expanded access to federal funding in exchange for demands. Here’s what we know | CNN
The battle for academic freedom and institutional sovereignty in higher education continues to play out as another university has rejected a White House offer for expanded access to federal funding in...
www.cnn.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:48 PM
4 universities have now said no—to Trump’s Faustian bargain- Penn, USC, Brown, and MIT. Standing up- by AAUP and AFT, our members, our students & our communities- is working. www.cnn.com/2025/10/16/u...
Trump’s “Admissions Compact” isn’t about merit—it’s a backdoor to resegregation. By coercing colleges into test-only admissions, his admin could erase decades of progress in campus diversity. MIT said no. Others must too. #HigherEd #AcademicFreedom
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
The Logical End Point of Trump’s Higher-Education Agenda
A “compact” offered by the administration could devastate racial diversity at elite universities.
www.theatlantic.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:17 PM
Trump’s “Admissions Compact” isn’t about merit—it’s a backdoor to resegregation. By coercing colleges into test-only admissions, his admin could erase decades of progress in campus diversity. MIT said no. Others must too. #HigherEd #AcademicFreedom
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Ohio State is blocking funding for scholars to attend affinity group conferences under Trump’s DEI crackdown. Academic freedom shouldn't be a political casualty. Silencing diversity efforts just weakens our research and future scientific workforce. www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...
Under Anti-DEI Pressure, Ohio State Limits Conference Funds
The Education Department recently criticized Ohio State University’s involvement with a nonprofit that encourages people from underrepresented backgrounds to pursue doctorates. Now, OSU is rethinking ...
www.insidehighered.com
October 15, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Ohio State is blocking funding for scholars to attend affinity group conferences under Trump’s DEI crackdown. Academic freedom shouldn't be a political casualty. Silencing diversity efforts just weakens our research and future scientific workforce. www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...