Weekly Federal Update Brief

March 21, 2025

Dear UC colleagues,

On Thursday, President Trump signed a long-expected executive order to facilitate the closure of the U.S. Department of Education. This department provides critical services and programs for students, educators, and educational institutions nationwide, including the University of California. We have serious concerns about the implications of the executive order and its potential impact on the University of California system, our K-12 partners and the individuals we serve. UC is committed to advocating for legislation, policies, and programs that support our mission and benefit all members of our community. We will continue to track and analyze the impacts of this announcement and will share more information as it becomes available.

This week, UC leaders also gathered for the Board of Regents meeting at UCLA, where they discussed many of the issues the University faces on the federal front. You can read Chair Janet Reilly’s and President Michael Drake’s full remarks to the Board online using the links below.

In addition, President Drake shared an update with the UC community on the University’s financial outlook — also linked below — highlighting the work all UC locations are engaged in to plan for potential financial shortfalls, including a planned hiring freeze. Meanwhile, the Regents provided new direction to the University on the use of diversity statements in hiring processes.

You can stay up-to-date on the latest information by visiting the UC Federal Updates website. Thank you, as always, for all that you do on behalf of the University of California.

Best,

Meredith Vivian Turner

Senior Vice President
External Relations & Communications
UC Office of the President

University Response & Communications

  • UC Board of Regents meeting: This week, Board Chair Janet Reilly and President Drake made public remarks at the UC Board of Regents meeting, sharing important updates about federal actions and the university’s response.

  • President Drake addresses the University’s financial outlook: President Drake sent a message to the UC community about actions UC leaders are taking to prepare for and address expected budget shortfalls associated with federal actions and the state’s proposed budget for FY 2025-26.

  • Use of diversity statements in UC hiring processes: This week, the UC Board of Regents directed the University to eliminate any required diversity statements for new hires. UC Systemwide Provost Katherine Newman followed up with a letter on this topic to academic leaders. While the University has no systemwide policies requiring the submission of diversity statements as part of employment applications, some campuses, programs, and departments have used this practice in the past. The Regents affirmed that UC’s values and commitment to our mission have not changed. We will continue to embrace and celebrate Californians from a variety of life experiences, backgrounds, and points of view.

  • Federal research videos: The University posted another in a series of videos on social media highlighting what’s at stake if federal research funding is cut. This week’s video featured UC Graduate and Professional Council President Ryan Manriquez, who shared the impact NIH research has had on his life and what’s at stake if NIH funding is cut as proposed by the federal government. Ryan was born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy, a rare neuromuscular disease that leads to progressive muscle weakness, difficulty swallowing and breathing, and a significantly shortened life expectancy. Then, a drug that began as NIH-funded research was approved by the FDA in 2016, changing the course of his life.

New Resources 

  • Political appointee tracker: With all cabinet-level nominees confirmed, UC recently expanded its political appointee tracker to provide details on additional executive branch appointments. The confirmation status of nominees will be updated on a weekly basis.

  • DACA decision update: The UC Immigrant Legal Services Center issued an updated fact sheet about the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeal’s decision on DACA, which became effective on March 11, 2025.

Media Highlights

For ongoing updates and resources, please visit the UC Federal Updates website.