A College's Fight for Survival: Valley Forge's Controversial Move

Valley Forge Military College is in serious trouble. Money problems and a shrinking student body have left it struggling to stay open. Now, the school's leaders are considering a risky plan to join President Trump's conservative college initiative. This initiative, called the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, promises federal funding to colleges that agree to certain conditions. These include promoting "American and Western values, " ending diversity programs, and adopting specific definitions of gender. Critics argue that this could lead to discrimination against LGBTQ+ students and liberal professors. Some colleges have refused to join, while others, like the New College of Florida, have eagerly signed up. Valley Forge's letter to the U. S. Department of Education expresses enthusiasm for the compact's goals, focusing on academic rigor and leadership. However, it doesn't mention politics or conservative values. The college is also trying other ways to make money, like selling parts of its campus to luxury homebuilders and licensing its brand to a military school in Qatar. These efforts have upset some alumni who remember the school's glory days, when it was a top institution with thousands of students and famous graduates. With the school's future uncertain, it's unclear if Valley Forge will even finish the current academic year. Cadets and faculty have been leaving since the announcement of its closure next year. The recent decision to go virtual after Thanksgiving due to a shortage of tactical officers has only added to the uncertainty. For many, the changes at Valley Forge are a sad reminder of how far the school has fallen. Once a beacon of discipline and leadership, it now finds itself fighting for survival in a rapidly changing world.