Arizona State University and University of Arizona said they will continue to let student groups hold their cultural convocation ceremonies in the face of warnings that the Trump administration will withhold funding.
This comes after the Maricopa County Community College District announced its ceremonies would be canceled.
A spokesperson for ASU said cultural “celebrations held by and for various student groups” will continue as scheduled. One historically popular ceremony, the Hispanic Convocation, is now listed on the university’s website as the Hispanic Celebration.
ASU transitioned from DEI-related language last year, according to one official, and has not made any policy changes from Trump’s executive actions.
UA will also continue with their ceremonies, while Northern Arizona University is evaluating federal actions and determining next steps.
At the community college district, canceled events include Indian American, Hispanic, African American, Asian Pacific Islander and LGBTQ+ convocations, an MCCC spokesperson said.
An MCCCD spokesperson says this decision came after the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights stated last month that they will withhold funding from public educational institutions if they practice DEI policies.
The spokesperson said the district is aware this change could be disappointing for students, but it will not impact their primary commencement ceremonies.
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“We've been thinking about it for a long time,” said Joe Lisiewski, ASU assistant vice president and university architect. “Now with the momentum of sports and athletics and some of the deterioration of the building, it's time to do it.”
