The federal government has asked several universities, including the University of Arizona, to pledge to several of President Donald Trump’s agenda items in a newly proposed higher education “compact.”
The proposal, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, was sent to nine universities offering up priority for federal dollars if they agree to demands related to international students, free speech, college affordability and other asks.
UA spokesperson Mitch Zak did not immediately respond to questions on whether the university was considering the agreement.
The White House wants the universities to align with the federal government’s definition of gender, omit the consideration of race in admissions and cap international student enrollment at 15%, according to details reported by several news outlets.
Arizona has barred the consideration of race or ethnicity at state institutions for several years.
The other schools reported to have received the agreement were Brown University, Dartmouth College, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Virginia, Vanderbilt University, the University of Texas and the University of Southern California.
It was unclear if there was any connection between the universities that were offered to join the compact.
UA has made several institutional changes in the face of political pressure since the start of the Trump administration.
In May, UA closed its individual cultural centers to create one singular hub. The decision came after leaders said they were “assessing” all programs related to diversity, equity and inclusion, days after the U.S. Department of Education released a letter directing schools to end any race-based practices. Several cultural center leaders lost their jobs as a result.
Before the closures, the university quietly removed the phrase “committed to diversity and inclusion” from the school’s land acknowledgment statement.
UA President Suresh Garimella has also cooperated with state political leaders. He sent a letter to Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen in April, assuring the Gilbert Republican the school was “discontinuing any preferential treatment” after Petersen warned public universities in Arizona of possible consequences for ignoring recent federal directives.
UA faculty members have spoken out against the threat of government involvement in university operations. In the spring, the Faculty Senate called on the UA administration to defend the university from “ideological and governmental attacks.”
This is a developing story. Return to azcentral.com for updates.
Helen Rummel covers higher education for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at hrummel@azcentral.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @helenrummel.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: UA asked to accept Trump’s demands to get priority for federal funds