ARIZONA – Former and current students joined Democratic lawmakers on Friday to urge Arizona State University to follow the lead of other prominent schools, including the University of Arizona, and refuse an offer by the Trump administration to expand federal funding if they agree to a series of demands aligned with Republican policy positions.

ASU currently is not one of the schools that has been offered the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” that was rejected last month by UA, but the school has been “providing feedback” to the administration on the compact.

“ASU has long been a voice for change in higher education. President (Michael) Crow will share his vision for higher education with students, families — and the administration,” an ASU spokesperson said in a statement to the Arizona Mirror. “As President Trump’s team seeks new and innovative approaches, ASU will share its ideas. And it is important to note that ASU has not received any kind of compact offer. There is nothing for the university to accept, reject, or negotiate.”

But Democratic lawmakers and student advocates are voicing their concern about the compact and asking preemptively that ASU does not agree to join the compact if offered.

“This compact doesn’t build a better future, it builds barriers,” Yudidt Nonthe Sanchez, a graduate student at ASU, said during an Arizona Students’ Association press conference at the Arizona Capitol.

The compact would force universities to change their policies and structure to align with President Donald Trump’s view of how higher education should operate. For example, schools that sign the compact could not consider race or sex during the hiring or admissions process or restrict employees from sharing any political views. They also would have to shutter departments that “spark violence against conservative ideas” and much more.

Mikah Dyer, an ASU student and coalition director for the Young Democrats of Arizona, said the compact is a politicization of education that puts Arizona’s educational future at risk.

Dyer, who studies political science, said that if ASU were to sign onto the compact, it could risk “silencing an entire generation of thinkers and doers” who may otherwise be interested in the state and the university.

The compact also would require that employees and students be anonymously polled to monitor compliance with the compact, which some speakers said resorted to a form of “surveillance” on the university and its students.

Rep. Brian Garcia, D-Tempe, said he and Sen. Lauren Kuby, D-Tempe, both have reached out to ASU voicing their concerns. U.S. Rep. Greg Stanton also sent a letter to ASU President Michael Crow urging him to not agree to the compact in any form.

“Proposals like these are an overall detriment to the communities we serve,” Garcia said, adding that if ASU were to agree to the compact, it would damage the school’s reputation and have long-lasting effects.

All the speakers said they have reached out to the Arizona Board of Regents, ASU and the Governor’s Office about their concerns.

ABOR directed the Mirror to Chairman Doug Goodyear’s previous statement saying it supported the University of Arizona’s response. Crow previously told the State Press, ASU’s student newspaper, that signing the compact is “not viable.”

The Governor’s Office did not respond to a request for comment.

“Our state budget is squeezed right now,” Rep. Cesar Aguilar, D-Phoenix, told the Mirror when asked what other options may be on the table if ASU were to refuse the compact and be denied some federal funding. He explained that the state has a “long list of things that have been on the back burner” in regards to budget priorities.

In a little over two months, lawmakers will be back at the Capitol and state budget negotiations will begin again. Whether those negotiations will include additional money for universities in light of the compact remains to be seen.

Arizona Mirror is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Arizona Mirror maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jim Small for questions: info@azmirror.com.