University of Arizona Becomes Seventh Major US College Rejecting Trump Administration Funding Compact

The University of Arizona has joined six other prestigious universities in rejecting President Donald Trump's "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education," which offers preferential federal funding in exchange for adherence to a conservative agenda including bans on race or sex considerations in hiring and admissions, tuition freezes, and enrollment caps. University President Suresh Garimella emphasized the importance of academic freedom, institutional independence, and merit-based research funding, asserting that the university seeks no special treatment and prefers to compete on merit. The compact, viewed as controversial for linking federal funding to compliance with specific policy demands, reflects the administration's broader effort to reshape higher education by curbing liberal-leaning policies and promoting conservative values. While some universities like Vanderbilt and the University of Texas at Austin have not yet announced their decisions, many have expressed concerns about potential federal funding cuts and the impact on academic freedom. The University of Arizona submitted a Statement of Principles affirming its commitment to anti-discrimination laws and merit-based excellence instead of signing the compact. This rejection underscores ongoing tensions between higher education institutions and the Trump administration's approach to federal funding and academic governance.