Dear Colleagues,
Yesterday afternoon, President Trump signed an Executive Order to begin closing the Department of Education. While the legality and long-term viability of any potential actions that result from this order are uncertain, Washington State University is continuing to evaluate and prepare for every eventuality to ensure the continued success of our university community. In all scenarios, WSU remains committed to working with the Department to serve our students.
WHAT WE’RE TRACKING:
Since mid-January, there has been an unprecedented amount of change pertaining to the federal government’s operations. Our federal administration transition team is diligently working to stay apprised of the continuous activities and their implications. The following activities are being monitored on a daily basis:
- Issuance of new executive orders
- Shifts in agency operations (layoffs, stop-worker orders, grant cancellations) and policies
- Federal funding freezes, caps, and withdrawals
- Relevant court cases impeding the implementation of federal policy updates
While these changes from the federal government are ongoing, we have also seen positive shifts, including the recension of several stop-work orders on WSU grants, the reinstatement of federal employees integral to WSU research, and an increased submission of proposals.
HOW WE’RE RESPONDING:
Over the last two months, WSU leadership has been working alongside chancellors, deans, chairs, faculty, and staff to gather information on the potential and realized impacts of federal actions on the university. We have been actively engaging with stakeholders, holding town halls to share information across several colleges, and evaluating university practices in response to the evolving federal environment.
Regarding yesterday’s executive order, the university has already engaged with members of the WSU community and several associations to gain a better picture of which services, grants, and programs may be at risk and to coordinate advocacy efforts on behalf of essential programs that support students across the nation. Any proposal to dismantle Department of Education programs created by Congress must first undergo congressional review and action. Programs that distribute student aid, including Pell Grants, student loans, civil rights law enforcement, and special education funding, were established by federal statute and require congressional action to change. The White House has stated that Pell grants and student loans will continue to be managed by the Department, as it cannot be officially dismantled unless Congress acts.
A central website will be released soon with information related to the federal government’s activities and WSU’s responses and resources. In the meantime, please visit the Office of Research’s “Federal Funding Updates” page for current updates and agency-specific information.
HOW YOU CAN HELP US:
As we navigate these changes, your partnership is crucial. If you receive an official notice from the federal government regarding your grant or contract, please contact the Office of Research Support and Operations at orso@wsu.edu. If you have general questions or concerns about your research in the current environment, you may reach out to Kim Christen (Vice President for Research; kachristen@wsu.edu) and Glynda Becker-Fenter (Vice President for External Affairs and Government Relations; glynda.becker@wsu.edu). We will work with you to coordinate and clarify information if needed.
Additionally, while we encourage civic engagement and support informed discourse, please remember that state and federal law prohibits the use of public resources – including university computers, university email, office supplies, equipment, professional titles, and work time – for personal advocacy efforts, political campaigns, or lobbying activities that are not directly related to official university business.
We appreciate your continued leadership and steadfast commitment to WSU in this ever-changing landscape.
Best regards,
Chris Riley-Tillman
Provost & Executive Vice President
Glynda Becker-Fenter
Vice President for External Affairs & Government Relations
Kim Christen
Vice President for Research