CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — The University of Virginia has declined to join a controversial new higher education compact proposed by President Donald Trump’s administration, which would tie preferred access to federal research funding to schools adopting specific policies on admissions, tuition and social issues.

Interim President Paul Mahoney announced Friday that UVA submitted formal comments on the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education but would not sign on, citing the university’s commitment to academic independence and merit-based research.

“The integrity of science and other academic work requires merit-based assessment of research and scholarship,” Mahoney wrote in a letter to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon and White House officials. “We look forward to working to

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