On Feb. 7, the University of California, or UC, system established a Federal Updates webpage to help students and staff monitor new policies and their effects on the UC community.
With uncertainty surrounding the new Trump administration and rapidly changing policy, the UC system unveiled a webpage designed to evaluate messaging from the federal government. With growing concerns ranging from cuts to student aid, research funding and immigration, the website helps organize information to help all members of the UC community. This page is updated daily with new federal policy as well as with weekly statements from them on responses to changes from Washington.
On Feb. 20, UC President Michael V. Drake released a video statement reiterating that their mission “has not changed” in the face of ongoing changes. Recognizing the importance of timely information, he further emphasized the importance of keeping up-to-date with information on federal changes and the UC response. As more questions arise from the Trump administration, the federal updates website is meant to help our community navigate these turbulent times.
So far, the largest real impact of the new administration’s policies has been on research funding from the National Institute of Health, or NIH. As a result of a federal funding freeze, the NIH recently announced cuts to research funding. Currently, the UC system leads the country in NIH funding and according to Executive Vice President for UC Health David Rubin, any cuts would lead to “dramatic reductions to infrastructure, equipment, data management, facilities and security.” The research in question includes life-saving research on cancer and heart disease. While a judge has recently blocked these funding cuts, they may yet still be approved after litigation. In response, both Rubin and Drake released statements on the Federal updates site advocating for a halt to the cuts.
Beyond enacted policy, the rhetoric and other actions of the federal government have created broad concern across higher education. The White House on Feb. 26 released an executive order announcing that the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, will “commence a transformation on Federal spending on contracts, grants, and loans.” A month earlier, the White House had directed all federal agencies to pause all funding except for aid sent directly to individuals, including Pell Grants and Federal Work Study. On the Federal Updates webpage, the financial aid directors released a written statement reassuring students that aid should continue to be dispersed without consequences. However, the announcements from the Trump White House have created increased levels of anxiety for the future of student financial aid.
The administration has also targeted immigration and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, or DEI, policies creating concern for international students, DACA recipients and other vulnerable members of the UC community. For information on how the Trump administration policies are impacting the UC system and the UC response, the Federal Updates website offers comprehensive coverage. The website and Drake strongly reiterate the importance of the policy of the UC system to maintain and foster inclusive campus communities.
One of the key features of the website is an executive order tracker, which records every executive order and action from the President and provides direct links to that information. While not all communication from the federal government may affect the university, staying informed remains important. To help filter the information, the website focuses on policy changes and federal communications that may affect the university’s research funding, financial aid, immigration, health care, LGBTQIA+ issues, DEI and antisemitism. Through the site, the UC system also offers links to UC resources for support like advocacy opportunities and legal support. The website is a vocal environment for those looking to fight for and protect the UC from harmful policies.
As federal policies continue to evolve, the UC Federal Updates Website will continue to be a useful tool for keeping the UC community informed. Some UC campuses, including UCLA, have launched their versions of the site that include campus-specific resources and messages. The UC system, through the Federal Updates site, reaffirms its commitment to its students, staff and faculty, allowing for greater reassurance during such unpredictable times.
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Featured Image via BruinLife Archives
