Colleges Face Uncertainty as Trump Orders Impact Diversity Programs, Research Funding

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — Colleges and universities across the United States are grappling with the fallout from recent executive orders by former President Donald Trump, which have disrupted diversity initiatives and federal research funding. The Center for Minority Serving Institutions (CMSI) at Rutgers University canceled a conference on apprenticeship programs after federal funding was halted, citing Trump’s orders targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.

The conference, funded through a $13 million grant from Jobs for the Future, was set to bring together nearly 100 participants from historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to discuss paid apprenticeship programs. Marybeth Gasman, executive director of CMSI, said the cancellation was necessary because the grant was tied to the U.S. Department of Labor‘s DEI initiatives, which were abruptly halted. “Without the funding and none of the staff from Jobs for the Future or its partners able to participate, we would have had to find new staff in a short time,” Gasman explained.

Rutgers President Jonathan Holloway addressed the campus community in a message, emphasizing the university’s commitment to inclusivity despite the challenges. “Know we remain committed to building an inclusive community,” he wrote. Holloway also noted that several offices at Rutgers had received stop-work orders for federal grant-funded activities involving DEI.

The impact of Trump’s orders extends beyond DEI programs. The National Institutes of Health (NIH), which provides $40 billion in funding to 300,000 scientists at 2,500 institutions nationwide, has paused communications with federal health agencies. This has caused anxiety among researchers, particularly those relying on NIH grants. Jonathan A. Epstein, interim executive vice president of the University of Pennsylvania Health System, acknowledged the uncertainty in an email to faculty. “We are working closely with your department chairs and institute/center directors, and we remain focused on our strategic priorities,” he wrote.

Higher education officials are also monitoring potential actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on college campuses. While no specific directives have been issued, the possibility of ICE agents visiting campuses has sparked concern, particularly among institutions with undocumented students. “Colleges and universities are not immune to federal law, and there are not many options when law enforcement shows up with a warrant,” said a local higher education official, who requested anonymity due to the sensitivity of the topic.

Temple University, which has previously been visited by ICE under the Administrative Site Visit and Verification Program, has a protocol in place for handling such visits. “We expect that we would follow the same or a similar protocol if ICE chooses to come to Temple under other programs,” said spokesperson Steve Orbanek.

As colleges navigate these challenges, many are adopting a wait-and-see approach. Kate Shaw, executive director of the Pennsylvania State Board of Higher Education, noted at a recent meeting that it is too early to fully understand the implications of the executive orders. “We are watching in real time as the new administration is putting policies in place,” she said.

Despite the uncertainty, institutions like Rutgers and the University of Pennsylvania are emphasizing their commitment to supporting students and researchers. “We are tracking events closely and will continue to share information as it becomes available,” Epstein wrote. Meanwhile, Gasman remains hopeful about the future of apprenticeship programs at HBCUs, noting that the number of participating institutions has grown from two to 21 since the grant began.