Following a brief federal funding freeze scare – and heightened immigration concerns – Florida State and Florida A&M Universities are providing their campus communities with guidance amid uncertainties.
While FSU made it clear that federal directives to put an end to all diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) related activities remain the same, FAMU did not mention the efforts.
But the HBCU (historically Black college or university) did give some guidance related to immigration for its international students and workers following the White House’s recent executive orders, unlike FSU.
“At this point, FSU administration is advising faculty to continue conducting grant-related activities for which funds have already been allocated, unless they are specifically advised that a project has been suspended or terminated,” FSU’s Office of Research said in a statement Wednesday. “Federal agencies have issued notices to immediately cease all DEIA activities.”
Recently, a White House decision was made under President Donald Trump’s leadership to pause all federal assistance that may conflict with recent executive orders. The notice was rescinded Wednesday but would have had implications for colleges and universities, including faculty members, researchers with awarded projects and students who depend on financial aid.
More:Judge temporarily blocks Trump policy that aimed at freezing federal grant funding
Trump’s executive orders since Jan. 20 consist of 14 governmental changes, which include “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing.”
DEI programs have long been a particular target for Gov. Ron DeSantis and a critical concern in Florida as activities related to it have been dismantled from colleges and universities across the state, which led to several protests on the campuses.
In addition, accessibility was added to the DEI term in some of Trump’s executive orders that target DEIA programs, causing some critics to worry that federal protections for disabled workers may be next on the chopping block.
In terms of federal awards – which include grants from organizations such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health – FSU faculty were advised to “cease any DEIA activities” and were informed that “funds budgeted for DEIA activities should remain unspent and not be rebudgeted to other areas.”
“Faculty should also exercise prudence in making additional financial commitments at this time, especially if a funded award appears to conflict with current administration priorities,” FSU’s Office of Research said in the Wednesday statement.
FAMU guidance after Trump’s immigration orders
On the contrary, FAMU’s guidance to its university community about recent federal funding developments did not address DEIA but instead gave other updates about the funds.
“Currently, Title IV programs, including federal student loans, Pell Grants, the Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (SEOG) and work-study funding, are not impacted and will continue without interruption,” FAMU President Timothy Beard said in the Friday statement.
“The Office of Research will continue to receive guidance from the various funding agencies (specifically, those awards from NASA, NSF, and USAID) managing each grant. During this period of uncertainty, we cannot be sure if or when federal funds will cover any new grant expenditures.”
In addition, a section in the Friday statement advised international students and scholars as well as H-1B holders – foreign workers who have a temporary visa to work in the U.S. – to “please keep copies of your official immigration documents with you at all times, such as Form I-20, Form DS-2019, H-1B approval, visa and passport.”
Six of Trump’s executive orders concern immigration, which include cracking down on illegal immigration and executing his promised mass deportations of undocumented migrants.
Recently, Florida’s education department said it will comply with a new federal directive to allow immigration enforcement into schools in a state where over one-fifth of Floridians are foreign born and immigrants make up a quarter of the state’s workforce.
In the FAMU statement, Beard also said “the Department of Campus Safety and Security will work with local and federal authorities per normal as contacted” in any case where federal authorities were to be on campus.
With the changes in federal policies and regulations, both FSU and FAMU assured their students, faculty and staff that the White House’s announcements are being closely monitored.
Contact Tarah Jean at [email protected] or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.
