The US Department of Education, led by Secretary Linda McMahon, has issued a call to action for colleges and universities to publish public commitment statements outlining institutional reforms by the end of 2026.

Reform Areas

The directive highlights seven specific policy areas for reform, including admissions and governance, campus environment and academic culture, intellectual pluralism, financial value and academic standards, and research security and domestic priorities.

Regarding admissions, the letter points to the ongoing debate following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, citing the need for transparent entry criteria based on merit, achievement, and educational purpose.

The letter also calls for stronger protections for open discourse and strict enforcement against campus disruptions, ensuring an ethic of free speech and a thriving marketplace of ideas.

Additionally, the department instructed university leaders to address research security and domestic priorities, shielding research programs from foreign influence and aligning degree offerings with national workforce demands.

Secretary McMahon emphasized that American universities must put Americans and American interests first, bringing excellence and accountability to higher education.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.