April 25, 2025
Dear UC colleagues,
This week, President Drake shared a message with the UC Community: The strength that built us will sustain us. His message touches on the uncertainty and challenges facing the University of California, highlights our community’s shared values and impactful work that benefits individuals and communities in California and beyond, and reinforces his support for our students, faculty and staff. “We are a community that treasures academic and research excellence, integrity, inclusion, collaboration, and the free exchange of varied viewpoints and ideas. These ideals are the foundation of our success,” he said.
We are also encouraged to learn that the federal government plans to restore some previously terminated student exchange and visitor (SEVIS) records for students across the nation, including some at the University of California. We continue to do all we can to support our international students and faculty, who enrich our research, teaching, patient care, and public service endeavors. They are integral to our academic and civic life and vital to breakthroughs that have benefited California and the nation.
On Tuesday, the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) published a statement denouncing “the unprecedented government overreach and political interference now endangering American higher education.” More than 400 college and university leaders, including from the University of California, have signed the statement.
In addition, this week the Trump administration announced several executive orders impacting higher education, including one that aims to change the accreditation process and prohibit accreditors from using unlawful discrimination “in the guise of diversity, equity, and inclusion” standards in the accreditation process. A second order, related to foreign gift and contract reporting, directs the Secretary of Education and other relevant agency heads including the Attorney General to coordinate on actions to require universities to more specifically disclose details about foreign funding. The University of California has had a compliance plan for several years that addresses the compliance and disclosure requirements related to international collaborations.
Also this week, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a new civil rights funding term and condition for universities regarding compliance with all applicable federal anti-discrimination laws including in diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or related to discriminatory prohibited boycotts of Israeli companies. Since February, the University has been strongly advocating for NIH funding and has supported legal action related to research funding cuts.
You can stay up-to-date on the latest information by visiting the UC Federal Updates website.
Best,
Meredith Vivian Turner
Senior Vice President
External Relations & Communications
UC Office of the President
University Response & Communications
-
President Drake’s message, titled “The strength that built us will sustain us,” was posted earlier this week.
New Resources
-
A new fact sheet, “Myths vs. Facts: UC Endowment Funds,” breaks down misconceptions about how endowment funds can be used.
Media Highlights
-
Sacramento Bee: Sweeping NIH cuts jolt UC Davis dementia research team and scientists nationwide
-
KQED: Student Visa Cancellations From UC Berkeley and Beyond Could Hurt US Innovation
-
Cal Matters: How Trump tariffs could upend California farms, wine and ports
For ongoing updates and resources, please visit the UC Federal Updates website.