AAUP Criticizes Department of Education's 'Compact 2.0' as Potential Political Interference in Higher Education

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has published an analysis of Education Secretary Linda McMahon's 'National Call to Action,' which urges university leaders to publicly commit to a federally framed reform program. The AAUP expressed concerns that this initiative could lead to political supervision over faculty hiring, evaluation, curriculum, and research priorities, rather than promoting public accountability. The organization advised universities to seek explicit assurances that their response, or lack thereof, would not affect federal grants, contracts, investigations, or other government treatment.