Education Secretary Linda McMahon is calling on the University of Arizona and all other postsecondary institutions to publicly declare their “commitment to serving the American people.”
UA President Suresh Garimella says McMahon sent her call-to-action Monday morning, questioning the school's stance on a range of issues including admissions, free speech and loan repayments.
In the letter, McMahon requests that university presidents and board members “issue landmark declarations of purpose” and post them to public websites. Some of her questions to schools include the following:
- “How will your institution ensure admissions decisions are based on merit, achievement, and your university’s educational purpose?”
- “How will you guarantee that unruly and violent protesters do not harass students or disrupt classes?”
- “How will your faculty hiring and evaluation practices support academic vitality and ensure that all relevant perspectives are taken seriously?”
- “How will your institution ensure that families can access affordable, high-return, degrees?”
- “How will your school protect academic programs from foreign influence?”
McMahon also signals a desire to return to “traditional learning methods” when she asks how institutions will “incentivize rigor” in the age of artificial intelligence.
The education secretary makes continual references to the prioritization of the American people, underscoring the Trump administration’s effort to align campus practices with Trump priorities.
“For centuries, American colleges and universities were a source of immense national pride,” McMahon writes. “Yet, as higher education has drifted from the principles that built up so much public esteem, Americans’ trust in universities has reached record lows.”
In response, Garimella issued a press release directing people to the UA’s Statement of Principles, which states that the UA “considers the academic record, rigor of coursework, experiences, leadership, service, and contributions to the learning environment of prospective students.”
“The University does not allow disruptions, intimidation, or vandalism that stifles speech, instruction, or participation in campus life,” the statement continues.
A university spokesperson did not provide AZPM with more specific details on how the UA plans to respond to McMahon’s most recent request.
Recent history of DEI rollbacks and UA protests
The call-to-action comes 10 months after McMahon issued the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, which asked nine major universities to commit to Trump’s political priorities in exchange for favorable access to federal funding.
The UA, like the eight other schools, ultimately rejected the proposal.
But Garimella said he was open to future discussions with the Trump administration on how to better align the UA’s principles with the national interest.
That response concerned some UA students who had said it wasn’t a sufficient rejection.
“I’m glad to see that the university didn’t completely side with that compact. It’s still also not encouraging that the university kept that conversation open,” said John Piamonte, an officer on the Asian Pacific American Student Council.
Garimella and UA officials have since taken significant steps that conform to the Trump administration’s stance against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, namely the consolidation of the cultural resource hubs and the dismantling of cultural housing communities.
Those changes came after a Department of Education letter threatened to take funding away from schools that continued their DEI-related practices. The letter prohibited universities from using race in decisions to admit, discipline or house students.
Members of the UA community also challenged the university’s commitment to campus safety in the wake of intensified immigration enforcement tactics earlier this year.
Following the events of Oct. 7, 2023 — before Garimella was named president — UA students and outside supporters staged protests across campus in support of the Palestinian people. Those rallies culminated in encampments that law enforcement officers stormed in May 2024. Several people were arrested and vandalism occurred.
In regards to the university’s response to McMahon’s most recent letter, Garimella says he will consult with members of shared governance bodies on next steps.
