The University of Minnesota continues to closely monitor and respond to policy changes at the federal level. These executive orders have far-reaching implications for all of our students, faculty, and staff, as well as our ability to carry out our mission.

President Cunningham has tasked a group of University leaders to monitor policy changes, assess how these decisions affect our community, determine their impact on our operations across the University, and build shared strategies in response. 

Key issues we're following

National Institutes of Health

On February 7, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) issued a notice calling for a 15 percent indirect cost rate on all new and existing funding awards. This change would profoundly affect the University and Minnesotans’ access to beneficial cutting-edge research and healthcare. While a federal judge has since temporarily blocked this order, the University will continue to advocate for our faculty, staff, students, and our research.

A 15 percent cap in indirect cost reimbursements has far reaching consequences for the University. The initial estimate of the financial impact to the University of these proposed changes is between $100-$130 million. This will affect the University’s ability to hire administrative staff that indirectly support research, recruit and retain faculty, support the technology and systems used to carry out our work, and maintain our buildings. Additionally, it threatens the lifesaving research that happens at the University every day.

As President Cunningham noted in her February 10 message to faculty, staff, and students, the Government and Community Relations team is working with University senior leaders on a broad outreach strategy to ensure that members of our federal and state delegation fully appreciate the profound implications of this notice.

The University is also supporting national efforts led by higher education associations to address the legality of this directive. We remain firmly opposed to such drastic cuts that impede our ability to advance research discoveries and innovations.
 

Current status

On February 10, a federal judge temporarily blocked the NIH from cutting research funding in 22 states that filed suit, including Minnesota. A hearing is scheduled for February 21.

Federal immigration policies

The University has personnel and resources in place to support international students, faculty, and staff who may be affected by federal immigration policy changes. Understandably, some members of our community have questions specific to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This webpage is a resource for answers to frequently asked questions on this topic.

To be clear, campus departments of public safety, including UMPD on the Twin Cities campus, do not have a role in enforcing federal civil immigration laws. Accordingly, our officers do not consider it their role to inquire about an individual’s immigration status. Their focus remains on public safety, fostering trust, and maintaining strong relationships across the University community.

Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion

The federal government continues to propose new policy changes on issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion, exacerbating uncertainty and concern among some members of our University community.

Public research universities like ours play an essential role in supporting and advancing a society that is humane and just. President Cunningham and her leadership team value the activities that support diversity of thought and inclusion, which enhance our teaching and strengthen our research.

The University has not rolled back diversity, equity, and inclusion, nor are we making any preemptive changes to existing programs.

The University will not waver in its commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for students, faculty, and staff from all over the world. We will stay true to our strong public service mission to ensure we remain one of America’s leading public research universities.