White House memo sets terms for U.S. colleges
By: Kanishka Singh
Reuters
WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's administration has asked U.S. colleges to sign a deal on some sweeping terms - ranging from foreign enrollment and diversity to ideological values of students and staff - to get preferential access to federal funds, according to a 10-point memo sent October 1. [2025]
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The memo shared with Reuters by a White House official demands that schools cap international undergrad enrollment at 15%, ban the use of race or sex for five years, require that applicants take the SAT or a similar test, and quell grade inflation.
..... Trump has threatened to cut federal funding for universities over a range of issues such as pro-Palestinian protests against U.S. ally Israel's ware in the Middle East; transgender policies; climate initiatives; and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
..... Rights advocates have raised free speech and academic freedom concerns over actions hat they say are aimed at aligning universes with Trump's political agenda.
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Trump alleges that universities harbor "anti-American" and anti-conservative values.
..... The 10-point memo urged viewpoint diversity in faculty, students and staff, including revising governance structures and "transforming or abolishing institutional units that purposefully punish, belittle, and even spark violence against conservative ideas."
..... The memo said foreign students should be supportive of "American and Western values" and urged colleges "to screen out students who demonstrate hostility to the United States, its allies, or its values."
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It also says universities should share all known information about foreign students, including disciple records, upon request with the Department of Homeland Security and the State Department.
..... The guidance is likely to raise due process and privacy concerns in light of the Trump administration's recent attempt to deport Pro-Palestian students. The attempts have faced legal challenges.
..... The memo says "no more than 15% of a university's undergraduate student populations shall be participants in the Student Visa Exchange Program, and no more than 5% shall be from any one country." Fro schools currently over the 15% population, incoming matriculating classes should meet the 15% cap, it adds.
..... Letters were sent October 1 [2025] to solicit agreement and feedback form Vanderbit University Dartmouth College, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, Massachusetts Institute of technology, the University of Texas, the University of Arizona, Brown University and the University of Virginia, the White House official said.
..... Universities than sign on will get "multiple positive benefits," including "substantial and meaningful federal grants," a letter addressed to university leaders said. The Wall Street Journal first reported the news.
..... The memo said adherence to its agreement will be subject to review by the Justice Department and university found in violation would "lose access to the benefits of this agreement."