The University of Southern California has turned down the Trump administration's invitation to join its Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. This decision highlights a growing trend among elite colleges to resist agreements perceived as promoting a conservative agenda in academia. The rejection is significant as it reflects ongoing tensions in educational policies and the broader debate over ideological diversity in universities.

USC has officially rejected a proposal from former President Trump that aimed to shift the university's educational approach to the right. Interim President Beong-Soo Kim communicated this decision in a letter to the U.S. Department of Education, emphasizing the university's commitment to its current values and educational philosophy. This rejection is significant as it highlights the ongoing debate over political influence in higher education and the importance of maintaining academic independence.