Christopher F. Rufo, a prominent figure associated with the Manhattan Institute, recently announced a significant development in higher education reform, stating that an "incredible accomplishment by the Trump Administration" codifies principles outlined in the Manhattan Statement on Higher Education. Rufo further advocated for a policy requiring all universities to adhere to these principles to qualify for federal funding. In a tweet, he articulated this vision:
"This is an incredible accomplishment by the Trump Administration, and codifies many of the principles in our Manhattan Statement on Higher Education. Next step: require all universities to abide by those principles in order to qualify for federal funding."
The Manhattan Statement on Higher Education, spearheaded by Rufo and a collective of scholars and policy leaders, aims to address perceived crises within American universities, including ideological conformity and declining academic standards. It calls for the adoption of six core principles: truth over ideology, institutional neutrality, colorblind equality, free speech, civil discourse, and administrative transparency. This initiative seeks to establish a "new contract" between the federal government and universities, with non-compliance potentially leading to the revocation of public benefits.
This proposal aligns with the Trump administration's broader strategy of leveraging federal funding to influence higher education policy. The administration has previously used financial incentives and penalties to target institutions over issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and alleged failures to combat antisemitism. Examples include the freezing of federal funds for universities like Columbia, Harvard, and Princeton, signaling a willingness to use financial pressure to enforce specific policy changes.
Critics argue that such measures represent an overreach of government authority, potentially infringing upon institutional autonomy and academic freedom. The administration's actions, including executive orders and proposed shifts in federal education responsibilities, indicate a sustained effort to reshape the landscape of American higher education. The call to link federal funding directly to adherence to the Manhattan Statement's principles marks a significant escalation in this ongoing effort to reform universities according to a conservative agenda.