Tom Horne Superintendent | Arizona Department of Education
Horne expressed support for the Trump administration’s proposed federal university compact, emphasizing its alignment with a merit-based approach in higher education. He stated, “Since I took on the Tucson Unified district in 2008 to end the racially divisive ‘Ethnic Studies’ program, I have been fighting against racial entitlements. People should be judged on their character and merit, not the color of their skin. The Trump administration’s federal compact for universities shares that same goal, and I am pleased that universities, including the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, are in discussions with the President on enshrining those principles in their schools. Reports that the U of A has rejected this compact are untrue.”
Addressing claims that the University of Arizona (U of A) rejected the compact, Horne clarified that the university’s president communicated support for the administration’s goals in a letter to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon. According to Horne, “The U of A president has sent a letter to U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon explicitly stating that the university shares the administration’s ‘vision of continuing to strengthen our higher education system for the betterment of the country – a vision rooted in a merit-based pursuit of excellence that directly or indirectly benefits all Americans.’ He has further stated, ‘We have much common ground with the ideas your administration is advancing on changes that would benefit American higher education and our nation at large,’ and ‘We welcome the opportunity to engage other universities, higher education associations, members of Congress, and your administration to advance and implement our principles in alignment with the national interest.’ Those statements clearly are not a rejection of the compact and I am confident that UA and ASU will consider these important principles in good faith.”
The ongoing discussions between universities and federal officials focus on promoting a system where admissions and opportunities are based on individual merit rather than race or ethnicity.
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