Update on Request from U.S. Department of Education

Dear colleagues,

This morning, universities across the country, including the University of Arizona, received a communication from the U.S. Secretary of Education seeking responses on a broad range of issues affecting higher education and its impact in service to the American people.

The communication includes a questionnaire asking universities to address how they are supporting national priorities and confronting issues facing higher education such as admissions criteria, cost of attendance, free speech, and foreign influence, among others.  

As the state’s land-grant university, our commitment to serving Arizona’s and our nation’s interests is unwavering.

Last fall, the U of A was one of nine universities to receive the Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education. Following extensive consultation with campus stakeholders, we provided a comprehensive response to the administration articulating the university’s principles. Our response was well-received.

I encourage you to read that response letter and our Statement of Principles, which affirmed the U of A’s role as a leader in the national conversation on strengthening American higher education and expanding its positive impact in service to the American people.

Our university continues to play a leadership role on many critical national imperatives, including artificial intelligence, space sciences, mining and critical minerals, fusion energy, and the future of healthcare, all while supporting our national security.

As we prepare to respond to the administration, we will again consult key stakeholders, including our shared governance groups.  

We appreciate our continued collaboration and are grateful for your dedication to our strategic imperatives and our North Star of success for every student.

Sincerely, 
Suresh