The Trump administration's "Compact for Academic Excellence" faces near-universal rejection from the nation's leading universities, even as the White House continues to look for takers. Hosts Mushtaq Gunja, Jon Fansmith, and Sarah Spreitzer unpack why the compact's demands are legally shaky and practically unworkable. Then they turn to UVA's separate civil rights settlement, what it signals for Title VI enforcement, and how DOJ's growing role is reshaping oversight. Also in this episode: the shutdown that isn't shutting down, deep cuts to the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights and TRIO programs, and the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee.

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

The Trump Administration's Higher Education Compact

Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education White House

Statement by Higher Education Associations in Opposition to Trump Administration Compact ACE | Oct. 17, 2025

How the Trump administration is pressuring universities to fall in line NPR | Oct. 27, 2025

UVA

UVA reaches agreement with US Justice Department on outstanding compliance investigations UVA Today

Government Shutdown and Higher Ed

Federal Judge Indefinitely Blocks Trump's Latest Layoffs Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 29, 2025

H-1B Visas

Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers White House | Sept. 19, 2025

ACE, Higher Ed Groups Warn New H-1B Policies Could Undermine U.S. Competitiveness ACE | Oct. 27, 2025

Letter to DHS on H-1B Visa Fee Increase (PDF) ACE | Oct. 23, 2025

Comments to DHS on the Proposed H-1B Lottery Rule (PDF) ACE | Oct. 24, 2025

Higher Ed Institutions Raise Concerns About H-1B Visa Fee Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 29, 2025

Higher Ed Groups Push for Colleges To Be Exempt From $100K H-1B Visa Fee Higher Ed Dive | Oct. 29, 2025