The Trump administration has given U.S. universities a two-week deadline to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion programs or risk losing federal funding and support. According to the Associated Press, a memo released Feb. 14 by the Department of Education instructed institutions to halt the use of racial preferences in admissions, financial aid, hiring and other areas.
Colleges and universities including the University of Arizona are now attempting to assess the risk and impact of this memo. Many institutions are taking proactive measures to try to protect and provide guidance to students and staff.
In an email to the campus community sent Feb. 18, according to UA President Suresh Garimella administrators have begun inventorying diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility-related programs, jobs and initiatives to assess the effects of the new federal policy on the university.
“As a public institution, we will also continue to adhere to all applicable laws at the local, state, and federal levels,” Garimella said. “We are taking a proactive approach toward ensuring compliance with new policies and procedures that will impact higher education institutions in the coming weeks and months.”
This federal shift in DEI policies comes as universities are already facing major changes to research funding policies. According to a statement released to the campus community from the university on Feb. 11, the new National Institutes of Health policy would significantly reduce research-support reimbursements. This includes expenses like labs, core facilities, technical personnel, cybersecurity, compliance and operational costs.
The statement included that the change could mean a loss of $40.5 million annually in research-support funding for the UA. The university conducts approximately $165 million in NIH-funded research.
For now, a federal district court judge in Boston has temporarily blocked the administration from going through with the NIH funding cuts, issuing a restraining order that applies to 22 states — including Arizona — that sued to stop the reductions.
“Until further notice, University of Arizona researchers should continue budgeting NIH applications at the applicable federally negotiated rate. New and existing NIH awards will continue to be administered with the applicable federally negotiated rate,” the statement read.
A university web page has been created to specifically address federal developments that relate to research. Garimella instructed students, staff and community members who have questions about all federal developments to a new page created by the Office of the Provost with key resources. The page will provide timely updates on information affecting the university community.
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