TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — On Thursday afternoon, students, faculty, and staff at the University of Arizona took to the streets, marching from the administration building to Old Main to deliver petitions aimed at reinstating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access (DEIA) initiatives. The demonstrators, chanting for change, walked in a single-file line across the UA Mall, making their message clear: they want DEIA initiatives back on the university’s agenda.
“What we were doing is delivering, hand-delivering the petition that came out in February,” said one demonstrator, highlighting the urgency of their cause. The online petition, which has gathered over 3,300 signatures, calls for the university to support DEIA initiatives after related language was removed from the school’s website following directives from the Trump administration.
Jamaica Del Mar, UA’s Director of African American Student Affairs, marched alongside students and emphasized the importance of DEIA programs. “The sudden fear of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion? I mean, it really only speaks to one thing for me, and that is a fear of difference, or even, you know, just straight-up racism,” Del Mar stated. She further elaborated on the significance of these programs, asserting, “We know that research shows that the spaces that we have here support students through retention, graduation—having those safe spaces is integral to their success.”
The petitioners initially sought to engage directly with university leadership. Faculty member Vanessa Perry, who helped organize the movement, expressed her disappointment when she arrived at Old Main to find the door locked. “I went to President Garimella’s office this morning to connect with his office and leadership there, just to make them aware that we are advocating in support of this university community, not here to destroy it,” Perry said. However, she was informed that a table had been set up outside Garimella’s office with two staff members designated to collect the letters. “We weren’t even able to enter our own building,” she remarked.
The University of Arizona responded through a spokesperson, stating, “As we work to comply with the laws that govern us, we will continue to be guided by the compassion and respect we have for all members of our university community.” Yet, for many demonstrators, this response fell short of what they were seeking. “We would love a commitment,” one participant expressed, emphasizing the need for more than just acknowledgment.
The push for DEIA initiatives at the University of Arizona is part of a broader trend seen across various educational institutions in the U.S. In February 2025, a petition was emailed to administrators, but after receiving no response, petitioners decided to take their message directly to the administration.
Anthony Singleton, a graduate student at the university, voiced his concerns about the cuts, stating, “I know that they know that the work that we’re doing is meaningful and impactful, so why not fight to keep this work alive?” Singleton’s sentiment reflects a growing frustration among students and faculty regarding the university’s stance on diversity and inclusion.
According to university officials, the removal of DEIA-related content from the university’s website was a proactive measure in response to the changing federal landscape. The university has taken steps to navigate these changes, including removing the U of A Office of Diversity and Inclusion website and deleting the phrase “committed to diversity and inclusion” from its land acknowledgment.
In their defense, university representatives have pointed out that the U of A receives hundreds of millions of dollars from state and federal governments, which necessitates compliance with evolving regulations. “We appreciate the input from our community as we consider the changing policy landscape and must navigate these changes in the manner that allows us to best carry out our mission to serve and support students,” a university spokesperson stated.
Dr. Del Mar reinforced the importance of these initiatives, noting, “We exist to educate students, to make sure that they graduate, to ensure that they can contribute to our society, right? And without students, we don’t have a university.” This statement underscores the critical role that DEIA programs play in fostering an inclusive educational environment.
The university has also established a website to provide updates on federal government rules that are shaping its direction in the future. This effort aims to keep the university community informed and engaged as policies evolve.
As the situation continues to develop, the demonstrators remain hopeful that their voices will be heard and that the administration will reconsider its stance on DEIA initiatives. The march on Thursday was not just a demonstration of dissent but a call to action for the university to reaffirm its commitment to diversity and inclusion.
KGUN 9 will continue to follow this story as it unfolds, providing updates on the university's response and the ongoing efforts of students, faculty, and staff to reinstate crucial DEIA programs.
