Chris Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, has published a letter to President Donald Trump proposing sweeping reforms to the U.S. higher education system. The letter, featured in an article on Free Press, outlines a set of measures aimed at improving academic integrity, transparency, and fiscal responsibility in universities. Rufo suggests that the Trump administration should establish a formal contract with educational institutions, requiring them to comply with rigorous standards and accountability measures in their operations.
The letter, which has been signed by over 40 individuals including educators, religious leaders, and authors, calls for a dramatic restructuring of institutional policies. It urges universities to abandon diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, disband racially segregated programs, and eliminate race-based discrimination in admissions and hiring decisions. Moreover, the document demands a return to principles of merit-based decision-making, free speech, and civil discourse.
Rufo emphasizes that universities must ensure transparency by publishing detailed data on race, admissions, and financial outcomes. According to the proposal, institutions should disclose the full scope of their operations, including class ranks and employment results, allowing for greater public scrutiny. The letter also calls for penalties against individuals or groups that disrupt academic activities, such as vandalizing property or preventing speakers from addressing the campus community.
The call for reform follows a broader trend of criticism against the role of elite universities in American society. A recent Manhattan Institute poll found that only 15% of registered voters trust Ivy League institutions, while just 20% have confidence in public universities. These results have sparked renewed debates about the affordability and accessibility of higher education, with many calling for regulatory action to curb rising costs and improve institutional accountability.
Additionally, the letter ties into an ongoing congressional inquiry into the influence of university cartels. A recent hearing by the House Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on the Administrative State and Antitrust explored allegations of anticompetitive behavior among elite institutions, linking these practices to soaring tuition costs and limited access for students.
Rufo’s reforms reflect a growing sentiment among conservative and libertarian voices, who argue that the current system has devolved into ideological battlegrounds. These proposals are seen as part of a broader movement advocating for limited government intervention, greater institutional accountability, and the restoration of academic freedom within universities.