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University of Arizona became the seventh U.S. school to reject a Trump administration Compact for Academic Excellence, which ties funding priority to conservative-aligned changes in admissions, hiring, campus culture and international enrollment. President Suresh Garimella cited academic freedom, merit-based research funding and institutional independence, and attached a Statement of Principles affirming anti-discrimination laws. Six peers have already declined; Vanderbilt and UT Austin have not. UT faculty and students raised academic-freedom concerns as alumni gathered 1,400 petition signatures. The compact seeks tuition freezes, a 15% cap on international undergraduates and strict gender definitions; signatories are promised substantial federal grants.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.