Potential higher education impacts amidst a changing federal landscape

Dear colleagues,

At the University of Maryland, we achieve excellence in all we do, from research and teaching to student support and public service. We are grateful to work shoulder to shoulder with faculty and staff who contribute to our mission every day.

Over the past several weeks, we have seen a number of changes in the federal landscape that impact our daily lives. It is important that you know we are working closely with the University System of Maryland and the State of Maryland, our congressional delegation, as well as our colleagues at the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), the Association of American Universities (AAU) and the American Council on Education (ACE) to understand and navigate the potential impacts on our university community. There is still much to learn, and we are meeting regularly to determine next steps.

Resources
To help our community navigate the changing landscape, we have created a new Federal Relations web page that provides current information regarding federal executive orders, memos and agency guidance that are relevant to higher education. It also includes resources and guidance from UMD leadership and additional higher education organizations.

The Division of Research is providing regular updates to evolving modifications to federal research funding and is eager to connect with faculty to understand changes to grants and work orders. Our International Students & Scholars office is available to assist our international community.

What's next
We understand that there is uncertainty within our community on how federal changes may impact you in your work, as well as you as individuals. We are meeting on a regular basis with the deans and campus leadership to understand how these changes are affecting our campus community and to navigate our path forward. Through the federal relations websites and communications from your vice presidents, deans, department chairs and supervisors, we will work to keep you informed with verified information and guidance.

We remain proud to be one of the leading institutions of higher education in the country. We will continue to carry out our mission in ways that reflect our shared values. We will continue on our path to excellence so that our research, scholarship, teaching and work will continue to have a positive and meaningful impact on our communities, state, nation and world.

Thank you for your partnership and commitment to our Terrapin community.

Sincerely,