Federal Policy Updates & Commitment to the UC Irvine Community

Dear Colleagues:

I know many members of our campus community are feeling concern and anxiety in light of recent executive orders and federal policy changes. I want to acknowledge how distressing the uncertainty is — especially when it affects the core of our research, teaching, and commitment to an inclusive academic community. After the initial flurry of executive orders, we now have a better sense of some of the most serious challenges to our mission.

The University of California moved quickly with other organizations to obtain a court order halting efforts to dramatically reduce funding for our NIH-related research. We will continue to pay careful attention to that issue. However, broader proposed reductions in federal research funding pose serious risks – both for overall institutional funding and for researchers and students in certain fields of study that appear to be disfavored within this political environment. Some NSF divisions, certain health-related disciplines, and research related to understanding historically disadvantaged communities seem to be especially vulnerable. We understand that many faculty and students have relied on this funding as foundational to their research careers and that faculty have a deep commitment to support graduate students who seek training in these areas of expertise.

Additionally, the Department of Education has threatened educational institutions with the loss of federal funding if it is found they take race into account when making scholarship or hiring decisions or otherwise consider race or ethnicity in “all other aspects of student, academic or campus life.” The University of California has, for many decades, operated consistently with state constitutional prohibitions against race-based preferences while at the same time celebrating and supporting our diverse communities. As such, we do not anticipate the need to change practices that are already consistent with applicable state and federal laws. However, we recognize many questions remain, especially because the so-called “Dear Colleague” letter appears to widely expand the parameters of recent Supreme Court decisions.

In light of these pressing circumstances, I have asked Vice Chancellor of Research Pramod Khargonekar to organize a virtual town hall on research funding so that we might share the latest updates, receive input from those most impacted, and consider next steps.

I have also asked Vice Chancellor of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Dyonne Bergeron to organize a separate town hall addressing the Department of Education’s position and its implications for our campus, and to provide information on how we are supporting our immigrant, international, LGBTQ+, and other historically marginalized communities.

In addition to the UC Federal Updates site announced previously, the campus has launched a Federal Updates for the UC Irvine Community website at uci.edu/federal-updates with guidance and contact information for direct support resources. We will continue to update this page as new information becomes available.

These are difficult times, and we want to assure you that you are not alone in navigating them. The strength of our university lies in our shared commitment to our fundamental mission and our principles of community—values that will not waver. We will continue to stand by you, advocate for you, and create opportunities to address your concerns as new developments arise.

Thank you for all that you do for UCI and for one another.

Chancellor Howard Gillman