Nearly a year after a group of universities rejected an invitation to align with President Donald Trump's higher education agenda, the U.S. Department of Education is taking a different tone in asking schools to publicly commit to a series of reforms.
And this time around, some Arizona university leaders are on board.
Education Secretary Linda McMahon encouraged universities in early August to regain the public's trust by openly sharing their commitment to academic rigor, affordability and viewpoint diversity.
The letter outlines higher education's significant impact on American society, arguing universities have since drifted from their original principles and need to launch "self-reflection and institutional renewal." McMahon said colleges need to do
more to ensure the quality of their degrees and adapt to artificial intelligence in education.
The hope is for universities to "put Americans, and American interests, first," the letter said.
Arizona State University President Michael Crow said the invitation from the federal government was "an important moment in the effort to ensure that universities continue to be responsive to the education and research needs of our nation."
He added that ASU would remain committed to national service.
"Universities and colleges were essential to the country’s founding, and are critical to its future," Crow said in a statement. "With this call to action, they now have a significant opportunity to respond in ways that will enhance American economic and competitive success, while addressing some of the concerns that have become matters of significant public debate."
Officials at the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University confirmed they had both received the letter.
UA was one of nine universities that received an invitation last October to participate in a proposed "compact" that would ask schools to agree to several of Trump's agenda items. That included a demand to make universities more welcoming to conservative viewpoints and adhere to the federal government's strict definition of gender, among other asks.
In exchange, schools that accepted were promised priority for federal dollars and exclusive invitations to government events. None of the universities approached ended up formally accepting the offer.
In response to the Department of Education's latest request for reform, UA President Suresh Garimella pointed to the university's "Statement of Principles" it published last year. It highlights fair admissions processes, free expression and a commitment to research security. Garimella said he would consult "key stakeholders" before responding to federal officials.
"As the state's land-grant university, our commitment to serving Arizona's and our nation's interests is unwavering," Garimella said in a statement.
The letter went to some private institutions as well. Grand Canyon University, one of the country's largest Christian colleges, said the university did not need to make any changes in response to the federal government's requests.
"GCU is a national leader in the core areas outlined by the Department of Education given that our existing operational model and mission already reflect the federal push for institutional transparency, economic value and national service," GCU spokesperson Bob Romantic said in a statement.
Public trust in higher education dips
Recent studies have shown that many Americans' level of trust in universities has fallen.
A July poll from Gallup showed that only 38% of respondents had "a great deal" of confidence in U.S. higher education. Nearly a quarter said they have very little trust in colleges, or none at all. The poll suggested there are partisan differences in trust of universities, with Democrats more likely to be confident in higher education than independent voters and Republicans.
McMahon asked leaders to respond to seven questions relating to the administration's top education priorities. That includes transparent admissions practices, free expression, intellectual plurality, affordable degrees, academic rigor and protections against foreign influence.
"This forthright conversation with the American people is long overdue. And it is the essential first step toward rebuilding trust in the sector," McMahon wrote.
But while some Arizona university leaders back the initiative, others within higher education remain wary.
The American Association of University Professors said that while the new communication from McMahon was "rhetorically softer," and did not include any potential consequences, there remained a concern the federal government could be assembling a "compliance regime."
"Universities should seek express assurance that responding—or declining to respond—will have no bearing on federal grants, contracts, investigations, enforcement decisions, or other treatment by the government," the group shared in its analysis of the letter.
University leaders were asked to publish their responses by the end of this year, in a way that's prominently displayed on their websites.
Helen Rummel covers state politics and higher education for The Arizona Republic. Reach her at hrummel@azcentral.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @helenrummel.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona universities warm to Trump administration's new pitch
