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Federal Government Updates

Across Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ, we are engaging on the many federal policy actions affecting higher education and our community. The ongoing federal policy developments prompt uncertainty, concerns, and conversations about what it means to be a university today and how to pursue our work in a changed and charged environment. Higher education is critical to our economic and social vitality, research and innovation, national security, and democracy. In our work to advocate for higher education and support our community, we are guided by Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s mission that embraces freedom of thought and inquiry, and Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ’s commitment to public service and the public good.Ìý

ÌýThe university and our leadership are engaging with the policy developments and supporting the values and vital role of higher education. Our efforts include analyzing the actions and working directly with campus offices, departments, organizations, and individuals that may be materially affected. This site serves as a one-stop community hub for university updates and community resources. It helps guide community members to the information they need and the offices and resources that can address their questions and provide additional support. Ìý

You will find on this page the latest news, community messages, and resources from across the university, as well as the opportunity to contact our team.

What's New

  • April 22 - Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ signs supporting higher education and academic freedom

Working Groups

To better address the wide range of federal policy issues, multiple working groupsÌýof faculty and staffÌýare collaborating to provide counsel, surface questions and issues, share information with the community, and produce resources and deliverables to support community needs.

This cross-functional group (modeled on the successful COVID working group) brings together key faculty and staff subject matter and operational leaders to advance and support our day-to-day engagement on federal policy issues. This is a tactical group that facilitates regular discussions and produces deliverables that support core university operations that are (or could be) affected by the ongoing federal policy changes. Focused sub-teams are also working on specific issues and bringing that work back to the larger group and university leaders. The group includes representatives from university areas including but not limited to: academic affairs/schools and colleges, human resources, inclusive excellence, university communications and marketing, university library, risk management and public safety, student affairs, athletics, general counsel, enrollment, and more. Additional representatives and expertise as included as issues develop.

This group (currently forming April 2025) will look at high-level questions and strategic considerations on cross-cutting issues at play in the federal policy landscape. Topics include, but are not limited to, the future of academic freedom and how we support it and planning for a world where federal research funding is dramatically reduced. This group will help organize scenario planning around potential policy outcomes and their impacts on Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵ and higher education and contemplate what additional policy changes or challenges may be on the horizon based on our understanding of the current issues. The group helps inform work across the university, engages with the Federal Policy Operational Working Group, and contributes input for university decision-making.