(MENAFN) The ongoing debate in the United States over academic freedom and the independence of higher education institutions continues, as yet another university has refused a White House proposal that offered increased federal funding in return for agreeing to specific conditions.

Dartmouth College has joined the ranks of the University of Virginia, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Brown University, University of Pennsylvania, and the University of Southern California in declining the offer, having rejected the proposal this past Saturday.

In an official statement, Dartmouth’s President Sian Leah Beilock emphasized that the college must develop its policies in alignment with its unique mission and core principles.

Beilock remarked, "I do not believe that a compact—with any administration—is the right approach to achieve academic excellence, as it would compromise our academic freedom, our ability to govern ourselves, and the principle that federal research funds should be awarded to the best, most promising ideas."

This proposal was extended to nine universities as part of the administration’s attempt to establish new federal guidelines for academic standards and behavior on campuses.

According to White House advisor May Mailman, the compact would also provide participating institutions with priority access to grants and involvement in White House initiatives.

The “Compact for Academic Excellence” was launched as a component of the administration’s wider educational agenda.

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