On the Media S2 - Episode 3: The Harvard Plan
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Nov 14, 2025 May Mailman, a former senior policy strategist for the White House, dives into the controversial 'Trump compact' aimed at reshaping university relationships with the government. She discusses its implications for academic freedom, including tracking ideological views and alterations in admissions policies. Mailman also highlights how settlements with institutions like Columbia signal a shift in power dynamics, raising concerns about future abuses. Throughout, she defends civil rights enforcement as a pathway to elevate academic quality amidst political pressures.
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Bush's Enduring Science Compact
- Vannevar Bush's 1945 blueprint made long-term, independent university research central to US scientific leadership.
- His model required government accountability but preserved university autonomy to spur breakthroughs.
Power Shift In University Funding
- The Trump White House reframed that compact by pressing universities to accept conditions for federal support.
- That shift makes the president the dominant partner rather than an equal collaborator.
May Mailman's Perspective
- May Mailman, formerly White House lead on higher education, framed universities as dependent on government funding.
- She presented cultural critiques and sought rapid policy changes from the White House.
