If it's a shutdown, why are we so busy?

The Trump administration's "Compact for Academic Excellence" faces near-universal rejection from the nation's leading universities, even as the White House continues to look for takers. Hosts Mushtaq Gunja, Jon Fansmith, and Sarah Spreitzer unpack why the compact's demands are legally shaky and practically unworkable. Then they turn to UVA's separate civil rights settlement, what it signals for Title VI enforcement, and how DOJ's growing role is reshaping oversight. Also in this episode: the shutdown that isn't shutting down, deep cuts to the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights and TRIO programs, and  the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee.  Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:  The Trump Administration's Higher Education Compact  Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education White House   Statement by Higher Education Associations in Opposition to Trump Administration Compact   ACE | Oct. 17, 2025  How the Trump administration is pressuring universities to fall in line  NPR | Oct. 27, 2025  UVA  UVA reaches agreement with US Justice Department on outstanding compliance investigations  UVA Today  Government Shutdown and Higher Ed  Federal Judge Indefinitely Blocks Trump's Latest Layoffs  Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 29, 2025  H-1B Visas  Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers  White House | Sept. 19, 2025  ACE, Higher Ed Groups Warn New H-1B Policies Could Undermine U.S. Competitiveness   ACE | Oct. 27, 2025  Letter to DHS on H-1B Visa Fee Increase (PDF)  ACE | Oct. 23, 2025  Comments to DHS on the Proposed H-1B Lottery Rule (PDF)  ACE | Oct. 24, 2025  Higher Ed Institutions Raise Concerns About H-1B Visa Fee  Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 29, 2025  Higher Ed Groups Push for Colleges To Be Exempt From $100K H-1B Visa Fee  Higher Ed Dive | Oct. 29, 2025   

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