The University of Arizona is set to implement a new general education curriculum in fall 2026. Undergraduate students will be required to complete two courses focused on diversity and equity to graduate. This change underscores the university’s commitment to broadening student perspectives and fostering a more inclusive educational environment.
New Curricular Requirements
Beginning in fall 2026, the UA’s general education program will mandate specific courses to meet various attribute requirements. Students will need to take two courses from the diversity and equity attribute, with a requirement for one course to focus on the U.S. context. In addition, they must complete two courses each from the quantitative reasoning and writing attributes, and one course from the world cultures and societies attribute.
Curriculum Overview
The diversity and equity requirement aims to deepen students’ understanding of historical and contemporary inequalities. It encourages students to explore these issues from multiple disciplinary perspectives, fostering a rich, multifaceted education.
The University of Arizona is introducing new requirements that mandate students take two courses centered around diversity and equity in order to graduate.
Review and Approval Process
The new general education curriculum has undergone a rigorous review process. It was initially approved in December 2020, followed by approval from the undergraduate council in March 2021, the UA Faculty Senate in April 2021, and the Arizona Board of Regents in June 2021. However, the implementation was postponed multiple times, with the latest set for fall 2026, to align with the ABOR’s recent general education policy revision.
Policy Revisions and Federal Influence
The ABOR’s revision in February 2021 introduced new guidelines on American institutions and civic knowledge. The updated policy emphasizes the importance of understanding American constitutional democracy, historic Supreme Court cases, and the essential founding documents.
The recent interventions from federal authorities, particularly President Trump’s administration, have cast doubt over the curriculum’s implementation. Trump’s orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and threatening federal funding have added to the uncertainty.
Challenges and Criticism
The introduction of the diversity and equity requirements has faced criticism from various quarters. In 2024, the Goldwater Institute, an Arizona-based conservative think tank, argued that the mandate was discriminatory and potentially illegal. The institute filed a public records request with the University of Arizona, seeking materials on diversity and inclusion training for faculty, staff, and the provost’s office.
The Goldwater Institute’s primary concern stems from Arizona state laws mandating that government-funded entities cannot place blame or judgement on the basis of race, ethnicity, or sex. The institute aims to clarify exactly what the university plans to teach in its diversity and equity courses.
The University of Arizona’s new requirement for students to take two courses centered around diversity and equity has faced criticism.
Future of the Curriculum
The uncertainty surrounding the curriculum’s implementation remains high. While Susan Miller-Cochran, the UA’s executive director of general education, remains optimistic that the curriculum will proceed, the external pressures are significant. The Trump administration’s federal orders targeting DEI programs and the recent Goldwater Institute’s actions highlight the ongoing challenges.
Mark Stegeman, an associate professor of economics and faculty senator, notes that the curriculum was already facing challenges. He suggests the Trump administration’s orders will likely diminish the likelihood of the curriculum’s implementation, potentially altering the future of undergraduate education at the University of Arizona.
Conclusion
The University of Arizona’s new general education curriculum represents a significant step towards promoting diversity, equity, and inclusive education. The mandate to include diversity and equity courses aims to prepare students for a globalized world by broadening their perspectives on inequalities and fostering critical thinking.
However, the implementation of this curriculum faces numerous challenges, including federal interventions and legal concerns. As the university and its stakeholders navigate these complexities, the future of the diversity and equity requirement remains uncertain.
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