This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on March 28, 2025.
Aloha UH ʻohana,
I write today with important updates from Washington, D.C., that carry significant implications for higher education nationwide, including the 10 campuses of the University of Hawaiʻi. This message follows my recent updates at the March 13 open forum and the March 20 report to the Board of Regents.
Department of Education Executive Order
On March 20, President Trump issued an Executive Order (EO) to close the U.S. Department of Education (DOE)—an action that would require congressional approval but signals major changes ahead. While the administration has said major programs like Pell Grants, federal student loans and Title I (for low income students) funding will go untouched, their long-term viability is uncertain. The administration also announced plans to move the student loan program to the Small Business Administration.
DOE is the third-largest source of federal funding for UH, supporting more than 100 programs and employing 276 people across our 10 campuses. These include GEAR UP, TRIO, Career & Technical Education, Workforce Development, and Native Hawaiian Student Success initiatives. The EO also requires that all DOE funding be aligned with administration policy set by previous Trump EOs, which now interpret Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) efforts to be discriminatory.
UH is supporting a lawsuit led by the State Attorney General and a coalition of 20 other attorneys general, who have filed a motion for a preliminary injunction to prevent the dismantling of the DOE. On behalf of our students, faculty and staff, UH continues to support the state’s efforts to minimize the loss of impactful federal funds and programs.
DEI Legal Ruling
On March 21, a federal appeals court lifted the nationwide injunction that had temporarily blocked key parts of the executive orders targeting DEI. Although the legal challenges will continue, federal agencies once again may now move forward in terminating “equity-related” grants, launching civil compliance investigations and requiring certifications of DEI compliance from universities. Institutions and individuals that falsely certify compliance could face loss of funding and civil penalties.
Federal Budget and Funding Cuts
Earlier this month, Congress passed a continuing resolution to avoid a government shutdown and fund the government through September 30. The resolution includes $13 billion in cuts to non-defense programs and gives the administration significantly greater discretion in allocating funds. This creates an additional layer of uncertainty for key student aid and research programs.
Possible Travel Ban
The Trump administration is expected to announce a travel ban soon affecting more than 40 countries. Reports suggest that citizens of 11 of these countries could face full travel restrictions, potentially impacting some UH students and employees. International students, scholars and faculty may also encounter longer visa processing times. I urge anyone planning international travel to carefully review visa requirements and consult with the UH Mānoa International Student Services at issmanoa@hawaii.edu or UH Faculty and Scholar Immigration Services at fsis@hawaii.edu.
Developments at Other Universities
Last week, Columbia University agreed to revise its protest policies, campus security protocols, and Middle Eastern studies programs after the Trump administration threatened to withhold $400 million in federal funding. And this week, the University of Michigan announced more actions taken to align itself with the new federal administration’s policies. While each university must respond in ways aligned with its mission and context, this action underscores the serious and far-reaching implications of current federal directives.
Available Resources and Information
Please continue to check the New Federal Policy Updates and Resources UH webpage, which is updated regularly. Information regarding the EOs and all of my prior messages can be found on there.
The UH Mānoa Pilina Support Team invites UH community members to attend “From Fear to Empowerment: A Student-Focused Conversation on Speech, Law and Pilina” on Monday, March 31, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Queen Liliʻuokalani Center for Student Services, Room 412. There is also a free webinar, open to the public, titled “Know Your Rights: A Practical Guide to Constitutional Rights and Immigration Enforcement” that will also be held this coming Monday, March 31 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. More details on both events are available on UH News.
Moving Forward
There is no question: the stakes for higher education and for UH are extremely high. I want to assure you that I, along with our leadership team that includes the vice presidents, chancellors, and UH Mānoa Provost are fully engaged in responding to these challenges. I continue to benefit from the ability to consult with key stakeholders represented on the Advisory Council.
We have already begun reviewing our federally funded programs and will soon take a broader look across the university to ensure we are protecting our mission and preserving our values. While we’ve seen temporary legal relief in some areas, the federal government’s power to set and enforce policy is significant, and the long-term impact remains unknown.
We will continue keeping you informed as we move forward together through this period of great uncertainty—with honesty, care and resolve.
With aloha,
Wendy Hensel
UH President
Stay connected with President Wendy Hensel by following her on X, Instagram, and LinkedIn
