@Cue7 "Put another way, wouldn’t a better policy be: “ED applicants can apply to any school that offers (non-restrictive) EA. Admitted ED applicants, however, CANNOT, opt out of their ED agreement because of merit scholarships received at other institutions.”
Based on what I know, I think you have a good idea. You should send Dean Furda a note and propose it. The only drawback that I can imagine is the lack of an effective way to enforce it.