President Donald Trump’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” is closely reaching its Nov. 21 deadline. As top universities across the country issue their response to this loyalty pledge, it’s worth noting how this agenda could impact Highline’s current practices and student body.
The memo sent out on Oct. 2 details Trump’s idyllic campus. In exchange for erasure of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies, the administration promises priority access to federal money. Nine campuses from all corners of the country have received this call to action from the current administration. Currently, no university has agreed to the compact.
While larger Washington based schools, like the University of Washington have not yet received the president’s pact, Highline has previously followed suit in regards to big decisions. Yet, at a time where relied-upon funds, such as Title III grant contracts, are being cancelled early, it’s imperative that Highline reach its own conclusion.
Chief among Trump’s concerns is fairness in admissions practices. The pledge details current educational institutions taking in factors such as political views, sexual orientation, race, sex, or financial support when making admission decisions as discriminatory to civil rights law, as well as against the U.S. Constitution. This push includes censorship of college mission statements.
Currently, Highline’s mission statement includes all of the above mentioned characteristics, each one listed out in a bullet point style list. The campus’ vision opens, “Highline College creates anti-racist, equitable pathways in higher education to close opportunity gaps experienced by our students.” Public mission statements such as Highline’s should correctly reflect and support the student body it pertains to.
For the recent 2024-2025 academic year, 28% of students identified as Black/African American. Making this group the majority demographic on campus. In total, 78% of students identified as non-white in ethnicity or race categories. A Trump era push could redact visibility and language meant to empower Highline’s own population.
The act continues further with a pull to empower the president’s political proponents. It does this by using vague language stating campuses will “abolish institutional units that purposefully punish, [or] belittle … conservative ideas.” It extends the meaning of the term “units” to be the university, faculty and staff, students, as well as external individuals. In thus making the college responsible for anyone not in support of conservative ideas.
Most harrowing within Trump’s request is the push to end “foreign entanglements”. This policy would cap international admissions to 15% of the overall population of an institution, with no more than 5% from a single country. The administration justifies this limitation as giving opportunities to American citizens first.
Highline boasts 449 international students, while this figure is not close to the 15% margin, the school has a long standing history of supporting these students. Currently Building 25 hosts the International Student Programs (ISP) services. ISP is a designated resource for the success of these students, working with them for needs like housing to transferring to four year institutions.
The message from the administration has been made clear. In the coming months it is up to Highline to conserve its values, mission, and vision.