Around 100 students gathered at the University of Texas at Austin on October 13, 2025, to protest the Trump administration’s higher education reform initiative, the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.
The rally, held at the UT Tower, was organized by Austin Students for a Democratic Society and University Democrats. Students voiced opposition to the compact’s provisions, which include standardized admissions tests, bans on demographic-based preferences, and a requirement for institutional neutrality on political issues.
Chanting slogans such as “Our Campus Not Trump’s” and “Rally for Academic Freedom,” protesters said the reforms threaten academic independence and diversity.
UT System officials have expressed support for the initiative, calling it a step toward consistency and accountability. However, student organizers vowed to continue resisting the proposed changes, citing risks to academic freedom and campus inclusivity.
