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University of Arizona

This is a logo for University of Arizona. (link)
Website:

www.arizona.edu/
Tax-Exempt Status:

501(c)(3)

Type:

Public University
Formation:

1885
President:

Suresh Garimella

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The University of Arizona (UA) is a public research university in Tucson, Arizona. It has a student body of 45,025 as of 2026 1 and conducted over $1 billion in research activity in fiscal year 2024, which is funded from both public and private sources 2 UA is particularly active in the research fields of astronomy and medicine. 3

In 2018, the U.S. Department of Education designated UA a “Hispanic-Serving Institution,” as over 25 percent of its students identified as Hispanic. 4 The designation opened up new sources of federal funding to the university, which already has the highest rate of federal funding for any heavily Hispanic university, according to the National Science Foundation. 5

In 2016, a coalition of student organizations launched an activist group called the Marginalized Students, and published a list of demands that included a $500,000 diversity budget, mandatory sensitivity training, trigger warnings, and separate living facilities for minorities. 6 In March 2019, UA students shouted down a Border Patrol agent speaking on campus, resulting in misdemeanor charges for the students, prompting further protests throughout campus 7 In May 2024, local police broke up a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus after the students illegally built structures and refused to disperse. The students threw rocks and water bottles at police and university staff and spiked police cars. 8

UA employs several prominent left-of-center academics, including Noam Chomsky, a professor of linguistics who is on leave as of March 2026. 9 10 In 2018, it was revealed that UA had received over $400,000 in funding from the Pioneer Fund, a non-profit grantmaker which promotes eugenics. 11 The funds were applied for by Aurelio Jose Figueredo, who directs the graduate program on human behavior and evolutionary psychology. 11

Background

Founded in 1885, the University of Arizona was the first university in the Arizona Territory, predating Arizona statehood. 12 Its website claims that its first graduating class in 1895 consisted of “two women and one male.” 13 UA cites inclusion and compassion among its core values. 14

In fiscal year 2026, UA had revenues of $3.09 billion, with tuition and fees providing $1.54 billion of the revenue, compared to $396.6 million provided by the Arizona state government. 15

As of the 2025-2026 academic year, the University of Arizona had an in-state tuition rate of $11,835 per year. 1

Controversy

Campus Protests

In April 2024, police arrested four protesters, including two University of Arizona students, following an hours-long protest in support of the Palestinian cause. The protest involved a pro-Palestinian encampment, and protesters threw bottles and other objects at police officers. The protesters demanded that the university sever all ties with Israel despite an Arizona state law prohibiting state agencies from boycotting Israel. The protesters also demanded that the university sever all ties with defense contractor Raytheon. In the wake of the arrests, the university announced strict enforcement of its campus-use policies, including prohibitions on all non-permitted shade coverings, including canopies and tents. The university also required all events and large gatherings on campus to submit a permit authorizing those events before they take place. 16

In May 2024, police were forced to use tear gas to break up a pro-Palestinian encampment at UA. The students illegally built structures made from wooden pallets and other debris. University staff ordered the protesters to disperse and remove the encampment, but they were ignored. The protesters then threw rocks and water bottles at police officers and university staff and spiked police vehicles. 8

In May 2025, the state of Arizona outlawed encampments on public university campuses. 17

In January 2026, hundreds of students and others protested Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and marched from the university campus to downtown Tucson. The event was organized by Students for Socialism. 18

Policies

DEI Advocacy

In June 2024, the Goldwater Institute released a report about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at the University of Arizona. The report stated that the university had a “diversity and equity” core curriculum requirement. Students were taught that “racism is deeply embedded in U.S. history, society, and institutions,” and that “white people hold unearned privilege while people of color have not had equal access to the ‘American Dream.’” A course on the science of bugs, which fulfilled the curriculum requirement, encouraged “’living like a bug’—including by ‘walking around with tissue paper ‘wings’”—in order to understand the experience of immigrants, people of a different social class, and other ‘marginalized’ groups.’” Students were also explicitly instructed to self-censor: “If somebody lets you know something you said is problematic, resist the temptation to become defensive. Instead, apologize, self-reflect, learn, and do better next time.” 19

In February 2025, UA changed its land acknowledgment to comply with a federal order that demanded all government-funded agencies end diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) “actions, initiatives, or programs” or face federal funding cuts. The university’s land acknowledgement once read, “We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. Committed to diversity and inclusion, the University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.” The university has since deleted “committed to diversity and inclusion.” 20

In February 2025, UA students and faculty protested the softening of DEI language at the university. A group calling itself Wildcats4DEIA wrote an open letter to the university criticizing the university. “We view your actions as preemptive and harmful over-compliance. Faculty, staff, and students should not have to fear political retaliation for upholding academic freedom, engaging in free speech, or advocating for their rights,” the letter read. The protesters also complained about the removal of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion website and questioned whether the DEI ban was legal. 21

In June 2025, UA students protested the decision to merge the university’s cultural centers into one hub. UA students and faculty also protested the Arizona Board of Regents for their lack of support for DEI and their efforts to combat it. The Board of Regents said it was necessary to comply with federal law and protect the university’s largest source of revenue, federal funds. 22

In November 2025, the Liberty Justice Center filed a lawsuit against the Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of UA professor Matthew Abraham, who alleged he was “blacklisted” from key faculty committees as retaliation for challenging what he viewed as illegal, race-based hiring practices. From 2017 to 2022, Abraham filed internal grievances, issued public records requests, and eventually submitted charges to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). His primary contention was that the university was engaging in hiring and selection practices that prioritized race over merit in violation of federal law. 23 In March 2026, Abraham was fired by UA. 24

In March 2026, the Goldwater Institute released a report claiming that diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies were rampant at UA’s honors programs. At UA’s Franke Honors College, all students were required to take an “honors seminar” course. Some of the classes students could choose from included “Eating the Globe: The Diverse, Weird, and Queer Food Politics,” “#Black Lives Matter Across the Americas,” “Why Does Difference Matter? Constructing the Self and the Other,” “Cut and Paste: Constructing Identity Through Collage” and “Getting Into Good Trouble: When Government Threatens Civil Rights.” 25

Leadership

As of March 2026, the president of the University of Arizona is Suresh Garimella. He took over the position in October 2024. He was previously the president of the University of Vermont. 26

UA is governed by the Arizona Board of Regents, a state-appointed 12-member body. 27 Eight volunteer members are appointed by the Governor to staggered eight-year terms; two students serve on the board for two-year appointments, with the first year being a nonvoting apprentice year. The Governor and the Superintendent of Public Instruction serve as voting ex-officio members. 27

According to the New York Times, the Arizona legislature has taken a direct role in fostering academic programs from the state budget, breaking with the usual arrangement in which universities decide how to spend public money. 28 Among programs being funded by lawmakers is the University’s Department of Political Economy and Moral Science, which teaches subjects including justice, diversity, and social and environmental policy. 29

Funding

Federal Government Grants and Contracts

The University of Arizona’s 2018 designation by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic Serving Institution opens access to additional federal grants for “student scholarships, student support services, support faculty development, innovation and curriculum.” 4

UA has also been criticized for its involvement with U.S. government border enforcement efforts. 30 In 2008, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security awarded the university a $17 million, six-year grant to create the Center for Excellence on Border Security and Immigration (BORDERS). Through this initiative, the University has contributed to research on border security tactics and helped private companies gain access to DHS contracts. 30

UA has a history of research in aeronautics and astronomy. It is the fourth most awarded public university by NASA for research. 31 The UA was awarded over $325 million to lead NASA’s 2007 mission to Mars to explore the Martian Arctic, and $800 million for its mission to collect samples from an asteroid. 32

As of July 2025, UA had lost over $59 million in federal grants because of second Trump Administration cuts. The cuts terminated or placed stop-work orders on 64 grants. 33

As of fiscal year 2026, almost a third of the university’s revenue came from grants and contracts. 15

References

  1. “University of Arizona (U of a).” The Princeton Review College Rankings & Reviews. Accessed March 20, 2026. https://www.princetonreview.com/college/university-arizona-1023720.
  2. “Never Settle In Action.” Archived from Arizona.edu. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20170208034245/http://neversettle.arizona.edu/plan-in-action
  3. Sannappanavar, Prerana. “U of a Announces Milestone: $1 Billion-plus in Annual Research Spending.” Arizona Daily Star, January 22, 2026. https://tucson.com/news/local/education/college/article_d5e78b8a-bc9c-11ef-89d5-53a746097eed.html.
  4. Mace, Mikayla. “University of Arizona’s new Hispanic Serving Institution designation will help with grants, programs.” Arizona Daily Star. Apr 6, 2018. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://tucson.com/news/local/university-of-arizona-s-new-hispanic-serving-institution-designation-will/article_41b84174-4294-5886-bdf6-963a642099dc.html
  5. “Federal Science and Engineering Obligations to Academic Institutions Reach $31.6 Billion in FY 2016.” NSF.gov. July 30, 2018. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://www.nsf.gov/statistics/2018/nsf18310/
  6. Soave, Robby. “Freedom of Thought Is on Life Support at the University of Arizona.” The Daily Beast. April 13, 2017. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://www.thedailybeast.com/freedom-of-thought-is-on-life-support-at-the-university-of-arizona
  7. Leingang, Rachel. “On Tucson campus, University of Arizona students see different sides to free speech debate.” Arizona Republic. April 10, 2019. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2019/04/10/fallout-university-arizona-continues-weeks-after-border-patrol-protest-ua/3428852002/
  8. “Police Disperse Protesters at Several Campuses, Use Tear Gas in Tucson.” CBS News, May 10, 2024. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/police-use-tear-gas-to-disperse-protesters-at-university-of-arizona-tucson-campus/.
  9. “Noam Chomsky.” Linguistics. Accessed March 20, 2026. https://linguistics.arizona.edu/person/noam-chomsky.
  10. Stellar, Tim. “The outrage! Chomsky makes how much at UA?!” Arizona Daily Star. Aug 12, 2018. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://tucson.com/news/local/steller-column-the-outrage-chomsky-makes-how-much-at-ua/article_a2fce3de-7f00-5a0a-8acd-453095ef844a.html
  11. Kunzelman, Michael. “University of Arizona accepted $458,000 from infamous eugenics fund.” Associated Press. Aug. 24, 2018. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/arizona-education/2018/08/24/university-arizona-took-money-eugenics-group-pioneer-fund/1090261002/
  12. “About us — you and the university, that is.” Arizona.edu. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://www.arizona.edu/about
  13. “We’ve Always Been About Tomorrow.” Arizona.edu. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://www.arizona.edu/about
  14. “Our values.” Arizona.edu. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://www.arizona.edu/purpose-values
  15. “Annual Operating Budget.” Arizona Board of Regents. Accessed March 20, 2026.  https://www.azregents.edu/sites/default/files/reports/FY-2026-Budget-UA.pdf.
  16. Macaluso, John, Emilee Miranda, and Alex Valdez. “Four Protesters Arrested Following Incident at University of Arizona.” KOLD, May 1, 2024. https://www.kold.com/2024/05/02/four-protesters-arrested-following-incident-university-arizona/.
  17.  Conklin, Audrey. “Swing State Outlaws College Protest Encampments amid Nationwide Campus Crackdown on Anti-Israel Agitators.” Fox News, May 12, 2025. https://www.foxnews.com/us/swing-state-outlaws-college-protest-encampments-amid-nationwide-campus-crackdown-anti-israel-agitators.
  18. Celaya, Eddie. “Hundreds Show for Protest at University of Arizona, March to Downtown.” KGUN 9 Tucson News, January 30, 2026. https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/university-of-arizona-news/hundreds-show-for-protest-at-university-of-arizona-march-to-downtown.
  19. Minella, Tim. “Anti-Bug Bigotry? University of Arizona’s Dei Boondoggle Tells Students to ‘Live like a Bug.’” Goldwater Institute, June 4, 2024. https://www.goldwaterinstitute.org/anti-bug-bigotry-university-of-arizonas-dei-boondoggle-tells-students-to-live-like-a-bug/.
  20. Horton, Alysa. “Arizona Universities Navigate Trump Dei Rules with Quiet Deletions.” Cronkite News, February 24, 2025. https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2025/02/24/arizona-universities-navigate-donald-trump-dei-rules/.
  21. Cree, Hannah. “University of Arizona Faculty: Removing DEI Language Is ‘Damaging and Dangerous’ as Students Protest Threat of Further Cuts.” AZPM, February 27, 2025. https://news.azpm.org/s/100476-university-of-arizona-faculty-dei-language-removal-is-damaging-and-dangerous-as-students-protest-threat-of-further-cuts/.
  22. Dowd, Bridget. “Arizona University Students, Staff Express Outrage over Decision to Remove Diversity from Policies.” KJZZ, June 12, 2025. https://www.kjzz.org/education/2025-06-12/arizona-university-students-staff-express-outrage-over-decision-to-remove-diversity-from-policies.
  23. Bolden, Leslie. “University of Arizona Professor Sues, Claims ‘blacklist’ for Questioning Dei Hiring.” Liberty Justice Center, December 1, 2025. https://libertyjusticecenter.org/newsroom/university-of-arizona-professor-sues-claims-blacklist-for-questioning-dei-hiring/.
  24. “Rachel Alexander.” X (formerly Twitter), March 17, 2026. https://x.com/Rach_IC/status/2034059302730928512?s=20.
  25. Schmidt, Zachery. “Report Finds Dei Issues with Arizona Honor Colleges.” Arizona Daily Independent, March 17, 2026. https://arizonadailyindependent.com/2026/03/17/report-finds-dei-issues-with-arizona-honor-colleges/.
  26. “Suresh Garimella.” Office of the President. Accessed March 20, 2026. https://president.arizona.edu/about/Suresh-Garimella-biography.
  27. “Board Members.” Azregents.edu. August 12, 2019. https://www.azregents.edu/board/board-members
  28. Saul, Stephanie. “Arizona Republicans Inject Schools of Conservative Thought Into State Universities.” The New York Times. Feb. 26, 2018. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/26/us/arizona-state-conservatives.html
  29. “Political Economy and Moral Science.” Arizona.edu. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://moralscience.arizona.edu/
  30. Miller, Todd. “Follow the Money: The University of Arizona’s Border War.” NACLA.org. March 22, 2012. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://nacla.org/article/follow-money-university-arizona%E2%80%99s-border-war
  31. “Federally financed higher education R&D expenditures, financed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, ranked by NASA R&D expenditures, by R&D field: FY 2016.” National Science Foundation. Archived from the original. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20180222044803/https://ncsesdata.nsf.gov/herd/2016/html/HERD2016_DST_62.html
  32. “The eyes of the world… and beyond.” Arizona Board of Regents. Archived from the original. Accessed August 12, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20060211012654/http://uaadvancement.arizona.edu/leading/eyes.php
  33. Smith, Craig. “Federal Grant Cuts Pull Almost $60 Million from Ua.” KGUN 9 Tucson News, July 14, 2025. https://www.kgun9.com/news/local-news/university-of-arizona-news/federal-grant-cuts-pull-almost-60-million-from-ua.
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