ASU and UofA are renaming their annual graduation ceremonies that honor diverse student groups, Axios has learned.

The big picture: Many higher education institutions nationwide are trying to thread the needle of complying with President Trump's orders on eliminating diversity, equity and inclusion programs — accompanied by threats of ending federal funding — without burdening students or offending faculty, alumni and donors.

ASU and UofA declined to say why they made the name changes — and the event programs themselves don't appear to have been modified.

• On Feb. 14, the U.S. Department of Education sent a letter to higher education institutions demanding they remove race-based programming or face federal funding cuts.
• The letter called out "segregation by race at graduation ceremonies."
• The ASU website explains that "celebrations" are "open to all students."

Driving the news: The ceremonies were recently renamed from "convocations" to "celebrations" on the universities' websites.

• ASU's Hispanic, international student, rainbow, Asian/Asian Pacific American, Black African and American Indian graduation events were all called convocations on December's fall 2024 graduation schedule. Now, they are listed as celebrations.
• UofA's 2025 Adalberto and Ana Guerrero Student Center graduation celebration was called a convocation on the university's website as recently as Feb. 21, per the Wayback Machine web archive. It's now dubbed a "celebration and awards ceremony."

How it works: Special interest graduation ceremonies are longstanding traditions for many universities.

• They often feature performers or speakers from the racial, ethnic or gender groups being honored.

Reality check: Though celebrations may sound less official, it appears they will function similarly to previous convocations, per online event descriptions.

• "There are, and will continue to be, celebrations held by and for various student groups." ASU spokesperson Jerry Gonzalez told Axios in a statement.
• UofA spokesperson Mitch Zak did not answer specific questions but said: "The university is taking a measured approach toward ensuring compliance with new policies and procedures."

The other side: Maricopa Community Colleges canceled all convocation ceremonies that celebrate "diverse communities and special interest groups," chancellor Steven Gonzales said in an email to employees this week.

More changes

It was another busy week at the Legislature as the Arizona House and Senate approved reams of bills on housing and other issues, while Republican lawmakers and Gov. Katie Hobbs came closer to an agreement on a K-12 funding plan that would go to the ballot.

🏘 The Senate narrowly passed legislation reducing cities' zoning authority to spur construction of more affordable starter homes.

• Two senators on the winning side of the 16-13 vote — one Democrat and one Republican — said they want to see changes in the House.
• Lawmakers already increased the minimum lot size that cities must allow from 1,500 to 3,000 square feet, among other changes.

What they're saying: Hobbs, who vetoed a similar bill last year, told reporters yesterday she wants to see legislation "that strikes the right balance for all the stakeholders."

🏫 Hobbs released details of her Proposition 123 renewal plan, and unlike her with previous proposal, some GOP lawmakers were receptive.

• She scrapped plans to use state land trust money for pay bumps to school support staff in addition to teachers.
• Hobbs also lowered her proposed distribution percentage from the state land trust.
• Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, told Axios that Hobbs' plan is "definitely moving in the direction we were heading."
• Republican lawmakers can refer a measure to the general election ballot without Hobbs' signature but would need her support for a special election.

More legislative action

When it comes to weathering losing streaks, Diamondbacks fans are among the most impatient in Major League Baseball.

The big picture: With Spring Training underway and a new season on the horizon, sports platform Promo Guy asked MLB fans nationwide how many consecutive losses it takes for them to start losing faith in their teams.

• The poll reflects responses from 2,000 people.

State of play: D-Backs fans said they lose hope after seven straight losses, among the lower thresholds in MLB fandom.

• Only five fanbases said they'd lose faith after fewer losses.

Flashback: Arizona's longest losing streak was 17 games in 2021.

• Last season, it was five games, per the website Champs or Chumps.

The bottom line: Don't be too quick to give up, D-Backs fans. The team had a nine-game losing streak in 2023 but still made it to the World Series.

🚧 The Phoenix City Council declared a nearly 10-acre parcel of land near 67th Avenue and Thomas Road to be blighted and hazardous to the community, potentially paving the way for developers to build a 288-unit housing complex. (12 News)

💊 Mexican authorities found about 70 pounds of fentanyl hidden in boxes of sliced cactus bound for Arizona. (CBS News)

⚖ The Trump administration appointed Timothy Courchaine as interim U.S. attorney for Arizona. (KJZZ)

IndyCar driver Katherine Legge is set to become the 17th woman to compete in a NASCAR Cup Series race at the Shriners Children's 500 in Phoenix on Sunday.

Why it matters: Legge will be the first female driver in the Cup Series since Danica Patrick's final race in 2018.

What they're saying: "I don't want to just be a female driver for the sake of ticking a diversity box, right?" Legge told USA Today. "I want to be there on merit, and I want to be a good example for everybody that's coming up behind me."

How to watch: The race kicks off at 12:30pm on Fox Sports 1, or there are still tickets available if you want to catch the action live at Phoenix Raceway.