April 25, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

Executive Orders

This week, President Trump signed a series of executive orders related to education. These orders include an examination of accreditation and Section 117 reporting requirements. The Universities of Wisconsin continue to review these orders, and as there are details to share on these – or any other orders – information will be disseminated via the university’s federal updates workgroup representative.

Advocacy Updates

The Universities of Wisconsin continue to engage with Members of Congress – including the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation – and through our national associations on additional issues of importance and concern to our universities. In advance of Congress considering budget reconciliation legislation in the coming weeks, these efforts have included discussions regarding the criticality of federal financial aid and fully funding research agencies, among other topics. Further updates continue to be shared with designated university legislative liaisons, who are engaged in similar efforts both state and federally as appropriate.

Follow Legal Challenges on Litigation Tracker

You can track legal challenges to the administration’s executive orders and administrative actions on the Just Security litigation tracker.

April 18, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

New! FAQs for International Students on Visas, LRPs, and SEVISs

We’ve added new FAQs addressing visa revocation/LPR status rescission, SEVIS record termination, and federal agent request for access to location, information, or records on our International Student, Faculty & Staff Resources page.

Department of Energy Indirect Costs

As noted above, late last week, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced plans to “limit financial support of “indirect costs” of DOE research funding to 15%.”

Importantly, however, on April 16, Judge Burroughs of the District Court for Massachusetts granted a Temporary Restraining Order in the litigation that had been filed in opposition to the previously announced DOE plan.

Op Ed on Student Visas

UW-Madison Chancellor Mnookin released an Op-Ed in the Wisconsin State Journal on April 17, which you can read at the following link: Revoking Student Visas at UW-Madison is Arbitrary, Unjust

 

 

April 11, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

President Rothman letter to WI Delegation on Student Financial Aid

UW President Jay Rothman sent a letter to Wisconsin’s congressional delegation dated April 9, 2025, expressing the UWs concern over any potential impact on student financial aid as a result of the budget and reconciliation process.

New! FAQs for International Students/Faculty/Staff on Travel

We’ve added new FAQs addressing travel outside the U.S. on our International Student, Faculty & Staff Resources page. We will continue to add information to this page regarding travel, visas, and rights for our international audience.

Information Regarding Agents Visiting Campuses

Please refer to our information regarding agents visiting universities on what to do if government agents come to your university.

Additional Advocacy Updates

In addition to the letter above, and as noted in past newsletter additions, the Universities of Wisconsin continue to engage with Members of Congress – including the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation – and through our national associations on additional issues of importance and concern to our universities. For example, the following letter to the Departments of State and Homeland Security from the higher education community may also be of interest. Further updates continue to be shared with designated university legislative liaisons, who are engaged in similar efforts both state and federally as appropriate.

Information Regarding Agents Visiting Universities

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We will comply with all applicable law and are committed to cooperating with law enforcement within the constraints of the law and our own delegated responsibilities. The agents may be federal or state officers, federal or state auditors or other similarly situated individuals.  

If any Government Agent Comes to Your Workplace: 

  • Be respectful 
  • Take enough time for yourself to think through and formulate your answers.  
  • Ask the agent for their name and to see their government issued badge.  Most likely the agent will show you their badge without you asking.  If not, it is your right to ask for this.    

If the agent approaches a student worker first, the student should immediately get their supervisor and/or their human resource (HR) representative.  

  • Verify the agent’s identity and agency with badge.   
  • Ask the agent why they are on campus if they have not shared that information already.  
  • Ask the agent to have a seat in a waiting room or lobby. If you do not have such a space, politely ask them to wait where they are while you try to reach the proper contact.  
  • Call the Office of General Counsel (OGC) at 608-262-2995 [or your Office of Legal Affairs and number for UW-Milwaukee and UW-Madison] and speak with one of the attorneys. 
  • Campuses: Determine whether individuals should also call campus police to alert them of another law enforcement entity on campus   

Tell the attorney the following information: “Agent X from the Department of Y is here to talk to you about Z.”   

Do not leave a message with Legal.  

If no one from UW Legal is available, tell the agent that no one is available right now.

  • Ask the agent if they can come back another time.    
  • Do not give the agent access to any paper files or access to any computer systems.   

 Agents are free to enter any public areas of your workplace but must have a valid search warrant to enter a non-public area.  Do not give your consent to enter a non-public area.  

  • Public areas may include reception, waiting areas and lobbies; open dining areas such as cafeterias; restrooms; and other common areas accessible by members of the public without screening or escort. Non-public areas include private offices and laboratories; private residential rooms; classrooms and lecture halls that are currently in use; and other secured or restricted-access areas designated for instructional or research use.   
  • A valid warrant must be signed and dated by a judge. It will include a period within which the search must be conducted, a description of the premises to be searched, and a list of items to be searched for and seized (e.g., payroll records, employee identification documents, I-9 forms, SSA correspondence, etc.).  

 

April 4, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

FAQs for Student Visa Holders

Check back early next week for new FAQs for student visa holders on the Federal Updates page. The FAQs will cover information relating to visa status and non-citizen rights and travel.

March 28, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

New Financial Aid FAQs

Two new Financial Aid FAQs were added to the Federal Update website – both addressing the impact of executive orders on financial aid.

Advocacy Update

The Universities of Wisconsin continue to engage with Members of Congress – including the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation – and through our national associations on issues of importance and concern to our universities ranging from ongoing conversations related to budget reconciliation to potential cuts to research and federal student financial aid. Updates continue to be shared with designated university legislative liaisons, who are engaged in similar efforts both state and federally as appropriate.

 

March 21, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

Department of Education Executive Order 

The Universities of Wisconsin are aware of the executive order signed on March 20 related to the continuation of the Department of Education. It is our hope that these actions will not impact current funding provided by the Department of Education, including federal student financial aid. The Universities of Wisconsin are working to learn more about the impacts of this action, and as more guidance is provided by relevant authorities, further updates will be shared.

NEW! Resources for International Students, Faculty, and Staff

The Universities of Wisconsin are providing resources for international students, faculty, and staff on the International Students, Faculty, and Staff Resources page. The resources on the site are related to recent federal actions. Visit the Federal Updates website for more information on the federal issues the Universities of Wisconsin and your university are following.

March 14, 2025

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Recent Federal Actions

Department of Education Reduction in Force

The Universities of Wisconsin are aware of the layoff actions announced March 11 by the Department of Education. It is our hope that these actions will not impact current funding provided by the Department of Education, including federal student financial aid. The Universities of Wisconsin are working to learn more about the impacts of this action, and as more guidance is provided by relevant authorities, further updates will be shared.

Advocacy Update

The Universities of Wisconsin continue to engage with Members of Congress – including the Wisconsin Congressional Delegation – and through our national associations on issues of importance and concern to our universities ranging from ongoing conversations related to government funding to potential cuts to research and federal student financial aid. Updates continue to be shared with designated university legislative liaisons, who are engaged in similar efforts both state and federally as appropriate.

Political Activity Guidance Reminder

As a reminder, as uncertainty continues around the emerging federal landscape, Universities of Wisconsin employees should be mindful of political activity and public advocacy guidelines.

Activities such as sharing a petition or contacting a legislator for political purposes using your university email address or state resources to engage in political campaign activities at any time or engaging in political activities during work time are prohibited.

In your capacity as private citizens, on non-work time, and without use of university resources (including the use of university email addresses) employees may circulate or sign a petition or letter of support advocating for public policy or a political candidate. However, if using your name and official title, it should be made clear that an individual’s endorsement indicates neither support nor endorsement by the university of a particular policy position or candidate, and that you are acting solely in your role as a private citizen.

For more information, you can read the Guidance on Political Activities Frequently Asked Questions document. Importantly, these FAQs should be treated as general guidelines and not legal advice.

Please direct specific questions regarding political campaign issues to the Office of General Counsel or your university’s Office of Legal Affairs.

NEW! FAQs

The Working Group added the first wave of FAQs on the Federal Updates websites (public facing and internal team). The Working Group is reviewing additional FAQs and will post new information (with an updated date) as they are approved.

Memo: Financial Aid Officers and Impact of DOE Layoff on Financial Aid

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Dear Financial Aid Officers,

We are aware of the layoff actions today and the potential for an Executive Order related to the Department of Education. It is our understanding that these actions will not impact current funding provided by the Department of Education, including federal student financial aid. With the spring term starting back in January, most students have already received their financial aid, and disbursements will continue throughout the semester. We are working to learn more about the impacts of these action and the potential Executive Order and when more guidance is provided by relevant authorities, we will update you with additional information through our federal updates page and alerts as necessary.