For an alternate viewpoint, see “Counterpoint: Trump’s Compact Would Cripple Universities.”

American universities are at a crossroads.

Their business model, which is overwhelmingly dependent on the twin pillars of federal grants and taxpayer-backed student loans, is failing in the face of declining public trust, financial malfeasance, a looming demographic cliff , and their publicly acknowledged discrimination, contrary to civil rights law.

The contract sent by the administration to a select few universities offers a reform offramp from barreling over the cliff: rein in escalating costs, primarily serve American students and follow the law.

They would be wise to take the olive branch, even as they mostly seem poised to reject it.

The first reason taking the Trump deal makes s

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