Summary
The University of Arizona has decided not to sign a set of policies proposed by President Donald Trump’s administration. These policies offered universities the chance for better federal funding in return for implementing specific practices, but the University of Arizona cited commitments to academic freedom and independence as reasons for declining. Other universities, including six others already mentioned, have also opted not to sign.
Key Facts
- The University of Arizona turned down a policy set from President Trump's administration called the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.
- The university emphasized its commitment to academic freedom, merit-based research funding, and institutional independence.
- The compact included proposals like ignoring race and sex in admissions and capping international student enrollments.
- Seven universities, including the University of Arizona, have refused to sign, while two universities have not yet made their decisions public.
- Universities that signed would have prioritized maintaining a diverse range of ideas without a dominant political stance.
- The American Federation of Teachers criticized the compact as favoritism and patronage.
- Some universities have collaborated with Trump’s administration, while others like Harvard have legally challenged funding cuts connected to campus political actions.
- A federal judge recently ruled that cutting Harvard’s research grants was unlawful.
