My Students Are Afraid, and They Have Good Reason
At my university and at many others across the U.S., students, faculty, and staff are deeply concerned about Trump’s plans to shut down the Department of Education (DOE).
During the first few weeks of his second term, Trump signaled his intention to eliminate the DOE, which experts dismissed as unconstitutional and would harm a large part of his political base. Why? Such a decision requires congressional approval, thus making it extend beyond executive authority. At the time, many assumed this was an empty threat.
Recent developments suggest otherwise. Over the past two months, Trump has, with the assistance of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), begun dismantling key programs of many federal agencies. USAID has been shut down, mass layoffs have been forced at the DOE, and budget cuts are rippling through higher education.
The Cancelling of federal grants and contracts
In March, Trump canceled all federal grants to Columbia University, and. just last week, the University of Pennsylvania faced similar cuts. These grants support scholarship, fund faculty salaries and student stipends, and cover overhead costs, including discretionary expenditures. Although Ivy League institutions receive significant support from research grants and endowments, most American universities do not rely so heavily on such funding.
Most institutions of higher education, particularly public universities and community colleges, depend on a mix of revenue sources, especially tuition and fees, to pay their operating costs.
This is not the first time American college and university employees have faced cuts. Many state legislatures that fund educational institutions have faced cuts and declining enrollments since the COVID-19 pandemic have forced public and private colleges and universities to rethink and change their academic offerings and workforce.
The closure of the DOE would have profound consequences beyond research funding. Federal grants, student loans, and financial aid programs—lifelines for millions of students—are all at risk. Universities, community colleges, and vocational schools relying on DOE funding could face severe financial shortfalls, leading to program cuts, faculty, administrative, and staff layoffs or firings, and institutional closures.
This isn’t just an issue for students, faculty, and staff—it affects the global standing of American higher education. The United States has long been a destination for international students whose tuition helps sustain university budgets. If federal support continues to erode and institutions struggle to remain competitive, prospective students (and their families that support them) may look elsewhere—to Anglo-American democracy or Europe—where tuition is often more affordable. The long-term impact could be a decline in revenue and academic prestige for American universities.
What Can Be Done?
As overused as the phrase may be, this is a teaching moment. The decisions made by elected officials have real-world consequences.
For people who are concerned about the future of higher education in the United States, the following steps are clear:
- Stay informed about federal education policy changes and their implications.
- Engage in advocacy and activism by reaching out to elected representatives, participating in discussions, and making your voice heard.
- Support institutions that defend higher education through donations, public support, and grassroots efforts.
- Vote—not just in presidential elections, but in congressional and local elections that determine funding and policy decisions.
Handwringing and feeling powerless in the face of the capriciousness of powerful interests does no good. It only contributes to feelings of powerlessness and depression. Knowing you have more agency than you think is more important.
Photo
No Future
Artist: Banksy
