As university administrators escalate their opposition to the Trump administration‘s oversight, funding reductions, and executive actions related to campus diversity, equity, inclusion, and illegal immigration, they appear to be overlooking a critical precedent: it was former President Barack Obama who introduced the framework for aggressive federal intervention through more than 20 controversial Dear Colleague letters aimed at reshaping the culture and curriculum of campuses nationwide.

The Trump administration’s current strategic use of its Compact for Excellence in Higher Education to reshape campus policies by tying federal funding to compliance with specific reforms is simply taking a page from the Obama playbook. Throughout Obama’s two terms, his administration sent Dear Colleague letters to colleges and universities tying federal funds to compliance with his new federal guidelines on for example, Title IX and sexual violence, racial discrimination, bullying, gender equity in athletics, access for English language learners, pregnant and parenting students, and finally the momentous transgender student rights mandating bathroom access on campus.