This message was shared with the students, faculty and staff of the 10-campus University of Hawaiʻi system on February 28, 2025.
Aloha UH ʻohana,
I write with important updates on the latest actions taken by the Trump administration. First, however, I want to say that I have heard and felt the concerns and unease of many in our community over the last several weeks. Let me begin by saying clearly once again that whatever the challenge, we will act to safeguard the core principles that unite us:
No shift in federal policy can change who we are or our unwavering commitment to ensuring that every member of our campus community is valued and welcomed. We remain deeply committed to anti-discrimination protections, accessible education and academic freedom. These principles define us, and we will stand firm in defending them. You will always be welcomed here regardless of where you come from, who you are, what you believe, or whom you love.
Reasonable people will disagree over the best path forward as we respond to numerous federal policy changes. That is exactly as it should be in a vibrant intellectual community such as ours when so much is at stake. At such a moment, let us also remember that we are stronger when we stand together. Turning against each other in this critical moment will only serve those who seek to weaken public higher education. We cannot let that happen.
Federal news updates
On February 26, the Trump administration issued Executive Order (EO) 14158 – Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Cost Efficiency that could be the most impactful and targeted action taken against higher education so far. The EO requires all government agencies to work with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) over the next thirty days to immediately review all existing awards—focusing on universities—for potential cuts, renegotiation, or termination. The implications of this directive are not yet known but likely to be unprecedented in terms of scope and speed.
On the same day, the “Guidance on Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans Requested by Implementing The President’s ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Workforce Optimization Initiative,” was issued. It requires all federal departments and agencies to draft reductions in force and reorganization plans by March 13, 2025. There is no doubt this will cause significant disruption in our partner agencies and affect new and existing grants and contracts at the university.
More positively, some aspects of the executive order aimed at diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, as well as National Institutes of Health funding, have been temporarily halted due to multiple lawsuits. UH has supported the Hawaiʻi State Attorney General in two of these cases, leading to a pause on the requirement for universities to certify that they do not run DEI programs.
Assessing risk, taking action
The university is facing simultaneous threats of reduced federal funding and the ability of federal agencies that support our activities to operate at full capacity. It is critical that we be honest about what this means and not underplay the significance.
The stakes for every member of this community are extremely high. Thousands of UH employees are funded in whole or in part by federal grants. At risk are hundreds of millions of dollars in research funding totaling $386 million this fiscal year alone. All federal funding at the university, including student financial aid, is vulnerable. We have reached an unprecedented moment in higher education.
University leadership is working nonstop to address these changes and develop a responsive strategy:
- Our Executive Order Response Team, composed of all Officers, Chancellors and other key individuals, meets weekly and communicates daily to assess potential risks and identify a path forward, understanding the situation is highly fluid.
- I have invited stakeholders to participate in the UH President’s Advisory Council and will convene this group next week to add more voices to our strategy conversations. A list of individuals who sit on the Council will be released shortly.
- We are contacting colleagues in other universities and working closely with our Congressional offices, the Governor, the state legislature and the Hawaiʻi State Attorney General, who, along with other states and industry organizations, have challenged the federal orders in court.
- We are currently evaluating the financial impact of the executive orders and exploring strategies to maintain our commitment to the university’s core mission during this period of uncertainty.
- We are meeting with faculty, staff and student stakeholder groups across the system to discuss the implications of the orders and gather input on our next steps.
- We are collaborating with stakeholders to thoughtfully evaluate our use of language on webpages and materials. This evaluation aims to ensure accuracy, minimize risk and facilitate compliance with nondiscrimination laws.
Importantly, contrary to some reports, leadership has not directed any unit to remove their webpage or halt any service or program on our campuses. Rather, given the potential consequences, some of which have been laid out above, we have requested each unit to conduct a risk assessment and carefully evaluate whether the language we use reflects the actual work being done in light of shifting definitions.
Commitment to our Community
We will continue to provide regular and transparent communication with you as new developments arise. To that end, I will host a live-streamed open forum in March, where you can ask questions and share your concerns. Details will be announced soon.
To facilitate direct communication and minimize any false information circulating, UH launched a federal policy update resource webpage on Monday with the latest news, frequently asked questions, guidance and resources, including mental health services for students and employees. There is a place on the page where you can submit your own questions for consideration. We will regularly update these pages and invite you to check back often.
Moving forward, together
Working together, we will navigate this moment with clarity, strength and an unwavering commitment to our values. We will find ways to adapt to the challenges we face and strengthen our mission of providing accessible, high-quality education.
Mahalo for your dedication and resilience.
With Aloha,
Wendy Hensel
UH President
