Federal Updates Under the New Administration

San Diego State University, along with the California State University system, is closely monitoring rapidly changing federal policies and seeking clarity on their potential impact to higher education and the university community. We recognize these changes may cause both confusion and sincere concern, and will continue to provide updates and resources as they become available. SDSU remains committed to its core values, as outlined in its strategic plan, and to its mission of teaching, research and public service. 

The current federal administration assumed office on January 20, 2025. Since then, several executive orders and memorandums have been issued that have an impact on the higher education sector, including public universities like SDSU. The following is designed to provide information and guidance to members of SDSU’s community. Note that the information on this page is informational only and is not designed to be inclusive of all actions taken by the administration.

We will update this page regularly, and the information presented is not an exhaustive list of all Executive Orders, policy updates or court actions. 

This site contains the following additional sections:

Take Action

As orders and court actions continue to shape the federal research and higher education environment, some are likely to want to take action as individuals. This section provides concrete steps to stay informed and, if you choose, to advocate effectively. 

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Help protect life-changing and life-saving research by taking action. You may choose to email or call your lawmakers. Find your elected official online to share information about your work or the importance of funding academic research and creative projects. More information, including helpful tips, is below. 
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As SDSU was recently designated an R1, social media content, graphics, photos and other assets have been developed for you to download to help you tell your story.
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If you receive a media inquiry and need support, share the inquiry with the Strategic Communications and Public Affairs media relations team by emailing [email protected].

Contacting Your Member of Congress

  1. Be brief. The staff person who answers the phone or reads your email will have limited knowledge and is looking for the main points in your message.
  2. Look up your member of Congress and contact only that officeholder. Most offices do not track calls or emails from outside of their district.
  3. Be professional, and be kind. Be the best representative of you and your work.
  4. If you are put on hold, please be patient. These are often young staffers or college interns. They are managing the communications to the best of their ability and are often feeling the brunt of people’s frustrations. 
  5. If they are short and only allow you to provide your name, address, support or opposition, don’t feel frustrated. That likely means they are receiving a high volume of calls.

“Good morning/afternoon, my name is _____. I am a constituent of Congressperson ______ my address is ________. I am a faculty/staff member at San Diego State University. I am calling today to express my support/opposition to Executive Order ______. The changes will directly impact me by _______. Thank you for your time.”

  1. Tell the person your name and where you are from. It is important for the office to know you live in the district.
  2. Briefly state why you are calling (e.g. Is it because of the layoff of NSF personnel? Is it due to a proposed cut in F&A rates?).
  3. In one or two brief sentences, state the impact. Does it mean that a specific number of constituents will suffer? Does it mean that the subcontractors will not receive funding and therefore there is an economic impact of a specific dollar amount. Be as specific as possible in the details you briefly offer. 
  4. Thank the staff person for their time and for conveying your concerns.

Get Support

Whether you need assistance with your grants, have compliance-related questions, or need help navigating policy changes, these resources are here to support you. This section outlines key services available to faculty and staff who need help.

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If you receive a stop-work order or official information or guidance from your sponsor agency, forward it immediately to [email protected] and your grant specialist.  You may also use this same email for any questions, or if you need direct support or guidance on other matters related to your research.
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SDSU has an array of resources to support your physical and emotional wellbeing. You are not alone.  Stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, and other distressing experiences happen to many.

The Employee Assistance Program offers SDSU employees confidential, free support for a variety of concerns including emotional, relationship, health, legal and workplace issues. You can call Empathia directly at 1-800-367-7474 or learn more on the Employee Assistance Sharepoint page (SDSU login required). Resources are also included on the Faculty Advancement site.
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If you are concerned about how a recent federal order or policy change may impact a (non-research related) program that you participate in or organize, or students who you may support, you can share your questions by emailing [email protected]. 

In general, if you have not received direct communication from the university regarding a change or action you need to take, then do not attempt to interpret and apply changing federal guidance to your work, and do not make any immediate changes to any existing programs. SDSU will communicate any impacts directly. 

As with all communications, please be advised that any email sent to [email protected] may be discoverable under the California Public Records Act. We encourage all faculty, staff, and students to exercise caution when sharing potentially sensitive or confidential information via email.

Information and Updates

In this section, the university will provide updates, guidance, and resources in response to changes and announcements from the federal government, as they may relate to SDSU and higher education.

Most Recent Updates

This site provides a comprehensive amount of information about federal orders and policy changes that may impact higher education. The site will be regularly updated. This is not an exhaustive list of updates.

Late on Friday, February 14, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) regarding its position on discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. Without any specific details or information, the letter broadly asserts the OCR’s position that any policy aimed at promoting racial diversity, inclusion, equity and accessibility is a violation of federal law. It further suggests that even policies perceived as race-neutral could be deemed unlawful. The OCR warns that institutions that do not adhere to its inaccurate interpretation of the law may risk losing federal funding. 

At SDSU, we strongly affirm our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility, which remains fully compliant with federal and state laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX, and California’s Proposition 209. For almost 30 years, Proposition 209 (California Constitution, Article I, Section 31) has prohibited preferential treatment based on race or gender in public education but allows outreach and support programs that do not create racial preferences, but do support our diverse community. Faculty and staff should continue fostering an inclusive learning environment in compliance with university policies and the law.

On Friday, February 21, a federal judge further extended the temporary restraining order blocking the federal administration’s plans to reduce NIH indirect cost rates. U.S. District Judge Angel Kelley extended the temporary restraining order placed earlier this month in response to separate lawsuits filed by a group of 22 states plus organizations representing universities, hospitals and research institutions nationwide. During the hearing on Feb. 21, Kelley said she was extending that temporary block in order to allow for more time to develop a more permanent ruling. We are actively monitoring the situation and will share relevant updates as they become available. 

Executive Orders and Court Actions

As federal agencies issue official guidance and updates, links will be added below (the following is not an exhaustive list):

Since January 20, 2025, President Trump has implemented several executive orders and policy changes significantly impacting U.S. immigration. They include the “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” Executive Order, which declared the situation at the southern border an “invasion” under Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution. It suspended the entry of individuals who are not documented and revoked several prior executive orders that had set civil immigration enforcement priorities and established frameworks for migration management. The administration has focused on restricting federal funding to jurisdictions, known as sanctuary cities, that limit cooperation with federal immigration enforcement. This approach has led to legal challenges from these jurisdictions, citing constitutional violations and public safety concerns.

If any SDSU employee receives or learns of an inquiry from immigration officials, to include administrative warrants, subpoenas, judicial orders, or other requests for information or access, the employee should take the following actions: 

Employees are not allowed to give voluntary consent or provide assistance to any searches, per state law. 

Employees are required to contact the campus designee immediately. The campus designee will engage with the immigration official:

  •  SDSU designee: Senior Associate Vice President, Administration Jessica Rentto at 619-594-8640 or 619-594-6017
  • Alternate SDSU designee: Associate Vice President of Public Safety and Community Empowerment Josh Mays at 619-665-3569
  • SDSU Imperial Valley designee: Dean Gina Nunez-Michiri at 915-256-6261

In January 2025, the Trump administration imposed a freeze on federal grants and loans, potentially affecting trillions of dollars in funding. This abrupt action led to widespread confusion and legal challenges, prompting a federal judge to temporarily block the freeze. 

Subsequently, the Office of Management and Budget rescinded the funding freeze order, though the executive orders targeting DEIA programs remained in effect.

The elimination of DEIA programs has faced opposition with several civil and human rights organizations, including the Legal Defense Fund and Lambda Legal, filing a lawsuit against the administration, arguing that the executive orders violate free speech and due process rights. 

As of February 19, 2025, while the funding freeze has been lifted, the executive orders dismantling DEIA programs remain active, with ongoing legal challenges and widespread debate surrounding their implications.

See the following for more information:

On Feb. 14, the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued a "Dear Colleague" letter mandating that educational institutions eliminate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs within 14 days of the letter to maintain federal funding. This directive interprets the Supreme Court's decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard as prohibiting race-based considerations in all aspects of academic programming, extending beyond admissions to areas such as student support services and faculty hiring practices.

For decades, state and federal courts have consistently recognized that lawfully crafted DEIA policies and programs do not amount to impermissible discrimination. Recent federal executive orders (which are not law) conflate valid and legal programs and practices supporting DEIA with unlawful preferences and discrimination. The California State University system, of which San Diego State University is part, is in one of the best positions among K-12 and higher education institutions nationally given existing compliance with Proposition 209. Proposition 209 was a California ballot measure passed in 1996 that amended the state constitution to prohibit public institutions from considering race, sex, or ethnicity in public employment, education, and contracting. It effectively banned affirmative action policies in public universities, government hiring, and state-funded programs. SDSU and our programs have been in compliance with this state law since it was enacted. 

Since receiving the Feb. 14 letter, San Diego State University has begun a review of its existing programs and web properties to ensure ongoing compliance with Proposition 209 is stated clearly. 

All university programs and activities are open and available to all regardless of race, sex, color, ethnicity or national origin. Consistent with California law and federal civil rights laws, SDSU provides equal opportunity in education and employment without unlawful discrimination or preferential treatment based on race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin. Our commitment to equal opportunity means ensuring that all students and employees have access to the resources and support they need to thrive and succeed in a university environment and in their communities.

A lawsuit seeks to halt the unlawful disclosure of personal and financial information after news broke that Department of Government Efficiency officials accessed sensitive student and borrower data. The Department of Education confirms DOGE has access to all such data, but its use is unclear. The case is overseen by the federal district court in Washington, D.C.

A federal judge had issued an order that blocked the DOGE team from accessing student financial aid data until at least Feb. 17 while the policy was being reviewed. A hearing took place on Feb. 14, and on Feb. 17 the judge denied the plaintiff’s motion for a temporary restraining order extending the block on DOGE access, saying an immediate threat did not exist.

On Feb. 10, several graduate and professional school associations sued the Trump administration over a plan to cut billions of dollars in NIH reimbursements to higher education institutions. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Massachusetts, seeks to overturn the proposed cuts, arguing the change violated established federal grant regulations and administrative law. Read the complaint online. This has subsequently led to two other lawsuits challenging the administration. 

Also on Feb. 10, Judge Angel Kelley issued a nationwide injunction blocking the policy change, overriding a Feb. 10  temporary restraining order that only applied to the 22 states that had sued.

A hearing to address all three lawsuits related to the NIH rate cut has been set for Feb. 21 to determine if an extension of the restraining order should be granted as well as the next steps in the litigation. 

See the following for more information:

In January 2025, President Trump issued executive orders terminating Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) programs within the federal government and prohibiting federal contractors from implementing such initiatives. These orders mandated the suspension and eventual termination of all federal DEIA staff and directed agencies to eliminate DEIA-related programs.

College professors, university diversity officers, nonprofits and local governments filed a lawsuit on Feb. 3 in a Maryland federal court challenging Trump’s executive orders targeting DEIA programs. They argue the orders violate the First and Fifth Amendments, threaten academic freedom, and limit access to higher education. The lawsuit seeks to have the orders declared unlawful and blocked by an injunction.

See the following for more information:

Recent SDSURF Communications

The following are communications shared by SDSU Research Foundation and the Division or Research and Innovation (this is not an exhaustive list):

Guidance for University Researchers

Importantly, if you receive a stop-work order, or official information or guidance from your sponsor agency that isn’t within this page, do not immediately take any action. Immediately forward any orders or guidance to [email protected] and your grant specialist. If you are a university researcher or PI and have questions or need direct support or guidance on other matters, you may also email [email protected]. 

As federal agencies and sponsors respond to these orders and new policies, SDSU Research Foundation and the Division of Research and Innovation will provide updates, guidance, and resources to help support sponsored research. 

Guidance for Proposals

  • We will continue to submit proposals as long as agency submission systems remain operational. 
  • If you are in the process of preparing an application, confirm the submission deadline with the lead agency, and confirm that the funding announcement has not been revised or postponed. 
  • Proposal deadlines may change, and sponsor review timelines and award decisions may be extended.
  • Subscribe to agency alerts or newsletters for updates about funding priorities, proposal guidelines, or compliance requirements.
  • Carefully review the language being used in proposal titles and abstracts.


New Proposal Instructions Restricting Activities

As federal funding agencies navigate executive orders and new policies, some are introducing new expenditure restrictions that include DEIA, gender ideology, and environmental justice components, among others, in notices of funding opportunities.

Please check for funding restrictions when preparing proposals, and again, carefully review the language being used in proposal titles and abstracts.

Guidance for Awards

  • Please continue with your work in accordance with the terms and conditions of your award.
  • Review your grant agreement to ensure you understand the terms and requirements.
  • Continue to submit reports and any required deliverables on time.
  • Submit requests for no-cost extension or carryover of funds to your grant specialist as soon as possible, as sponsor approvals may be delayed or denied.
  • Submit grant invoices as soon as possible, including payroll requests and billing of subcontractors.

Earlier Updates

On Friday, February 7, we received notification from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that it would implement a standard indirect cost rate of 15% across new and existing NIH grants. Many universities currently negotiate indirect cost rates with federal agencies at 50% or more, including SDSU. On Monday, February 10, a coalition of 22 attorneys general, including the Attorney General of California, announced a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for Massachusetts to challenge these actions, and the District Judge approved the emergency motion for a temporary restraining order in the plaintiff states. PIs should continue to submit proposals to funding agencies using the rates detailed in our F&A Cost Rate Agreement.

On Friday, January 31, a federal court issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) directing federal grant-making agencies to “...not pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate... awards and obligations to provide federal financial assistance to the States, and... not impede the States’ access to such awards and obligations, except on the basis of the applicable authorizing statutes, regulations, and terms.”

The TRO is temporary, as litigation in the case is ongoing, so circumstances may change.

For now, PIs may continue all funded activities on awarded grants and contracts in accordance with the terms and conditions of their agreements and may disregard the cease work notices received over the past week from various agencies, unless a project specific work order notification is received.