Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

In our previous message, we reaffirmed our commitment to acting in accordance with our cornerstone values and the law as we take steps to identify and evaluate the direct impact of federal actions on our university. We are seeking answers through both our own campus experts and external partners. Our higher education peers are grappling with these questions, and we are collaborating to find clarity and solutions. 

We are extraordinarily proud of the work done by thousands of faculty, staff and students across this campus. Illinois is one of the world’s premier research and academic institutions, and your drive, talent and our collaborative spirit are just a few of the reasons this is true. The university brings together people from all walks of life, all backgrounds and identities, widely varied lived experiences, every socioeconomic viewpoint, numerous nationalities and countless different perspectives. Working together at the highest standards of excellence, our people accomplish amazing and transformational feats every day. 

We know uncertainty in the legal and regulatory landscape is taking a toll on our students, faculty, staff and the surrounding community. We may soon be facing difficult choices in order to maintain our ability to conduct the educational and research missions that are so vital to our state and the nation. That is an uncomfortable reality that weighs heavily on each of us, and it underscores the very reason why we must be exceptionally thorough and thoughtful in our conversations about the federal policy landscape. Every decision we make will be guided by our core values. If and when changes are implemented, they will happen in consultation with you, and in a way that preserves the safety and dignity of our campus community members.  

The section below includes updates on a variety of issues related to recent federal actions. The federal environment continues to evolve rapidly, and guidance may change with new developments. We will promptly inform you if that happens. We appreciate your patience, your partnership and the work that you do every day to make Illinois a vibrant and welcoming community. 

Please continue to check federalupdates.illinois.edu for emerging FAQs, updates and resources. Questions not addressed on the website can be sent to federalupdates@illinois.edu. 

Sincerely, 

Robert J. Jones 
Chancellor 

John Coleman 
Provost 

Additional updates 

‘Dear Colleague Letter’ 

The university is analyzing the February 14 “Dear Colleague Letter” issued by the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, which informed universities that the new administration will interpret the Supreme Court’s decision in Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. Harvard to apply more broadly than admissions processes. We will continue to work with our legal team and peers across higher education to better understand the impacts and appropriate responses, and we will prioritize direct communications and support to university community members who could be impacted. Fostering an accessible and supportive academic environment is necessary to create a more beneficial educational and research experience for everyone. 

Research funding 

A cap has been instituted on the National Institutes of Health for the reimbursement of Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs associated with research projects. The cap is facing legal challenges and is currently on hold. The State of Illinois is one of the litigants, and the University of Illinois System has submitted information that demonstrates how the university would be harmed. Our F&A rate is the result of a complex negotiation with the federal government. Capping this negotiated rate for overhead research would significantly impact the university’s cost-share to maintain our research portfolio.   

Immigration 

The university has proactively shared information and resources about immigration-related issues with students, faculty and staff. We reaffirm that the university does not participate in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. The university does not create or maintain registries of undocumented students, nor does it assist the federal government in maintaining or enforcing registration.  

The University of Illinois Police Department (UIPD) will not ask anyone about their immigration status, and UIPD does not arrest anyone solely on the basis of their immigration status. Illinois law prohibits state and local law enforcement from acting on federal detainers or stopping, arresting or searching an individual based solely on immigration status. We have no information to suggest that federal immigration authorities have had a presence on our campus, but we have made information available about what to do should an encounter take place on campus or in the classroom. 

Budget guidance 

The Office of the Provost has shared guidance with senior leaders and budget officers to help them think holistically about their activities and identify threats to their operations as they plan for the challenges ahead. Until the scope and scale of the federal actions are fully understood, units are encouraged to prioritize their spending activities on core-mission activities and refrain from launching, expanding or continuing non-mission critical activities.