The University of Arizona has joined six other American universities in declining a Trump administration initiative that offers funding advantages to institutions endorsing the administration’s conservative educational policies.
This refusal comes in response to the administration’s outreach to nine universities, urging them to endorse a “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.” The compact proposes significant reforms affecting campus culture, hiring and admissions protocols, and the enrollment of international students. Key elements of the administration’s 10-point plan include revising how race and ethnicity factor into admissions and hiring decisions, as well as enforcing strict gender definitions.
Universities were asked to submit their initial reactions to the draft compact by October 20.
In a letter addressed to the Department of Education on Monday, University of Arizona President Suresh Garimella emphasized the importance of safeguarding “academic freedom, merit-based research funding, and institutional autonomy” as essential principles.
Garimella stated, “We do not seek preferential treatment and trust our capacity to compete for federal research funds solely on the basis of merit.”
Alongside their rejection of the compact, the university submitted a “Statement of Principles” reaffirming its adherence to Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and other applicable federal and state anti-discrimination statutes.
This decision follows similar refusals from Brown University, Dartmouth College, MIT, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Southern California, and the University of Virginia. Meanwhile, Vanderbilt University and the University of Texas at Austin have yet to formally decline the offer.
Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier refrained from outright rejection, indicating that the university plans to provide further input on the administration’s vision for education-minister-over-alleged-sack-of-varsities-vcs/” title=”Reps invite … minister over alleged sack of varsities’ VCs”>higher education. Vanderbilt recently participated in a meeting with Trump officials aimed at collecting feedback from academic institutions regarding the proposal.
Diermeier noted that Vanderbilt’s foundational values appear to conflict with the compact’s stipulations.
“Our guiding principle has always been that academic freedom, open discourse, and independence are vital for universities to contribute meaningfully to society,” he remarked. “We also maintain that research funding should be awarded purely on merit. This meritocratic system has underpinned the scholarly and scientific achievements that have propelled American health, security, and prosperity for decades, and it must remain intact.”
The University of Texas at Austin has not yet responded to inquiries regarding their position.
Kevin Eltife, chair of the UT system board of regents, expressed pride that UT Austin was considered for inclusion in the administration’s plan, as reported by The Texas Tribune. However, concerns about academic freedom have been voiced by students and faculty, prompting alumni to launch a petition opposing the university’s participation. This petition has garnered over 1,400 signatures.
The compact also mandates a five-year tuition freeze, limits international undergraduate enrollment to 15% of the student body, promotes a “dynamic marketplace of ideas” on campus, and encourages a more inclusive atmosphere for conservative viewpoints. Institutions that sign the compact are promised “significant and meaningful federal grants” among other benefits.
In light of the growing number of refusals, the Trump administration has extended invitations to additional universities, including Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Kansas, and Arizona State University, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal.
Earlier this month, former President Trump posted on social media that “much of Higher Education has lost its way, and is now corrupting our Youth and Society with WOKE, SOCIALIST, and ANTI-AMERICAN Ideology.” He added that institutions eager to “return swiftly to the pursuit of Truth and Achievement” were “invited to enter into a forward-looking Agreement with the Federal Government to help usher in a Golden Age of Academic Excellence in Higher Education.”
