An article from 12 Trump moves in 4 weeks: What college leaders need to know

The new administration has implemented several policies that have sparked outcry from university researchers and student advcocates.

Published Feb. 18, 2025 Natalie Schwartz Senior Editor

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President Donald Trump addresses reporters in the Oval Office on Feb. 13, 2025. Andrew Harnik via Getty Images

Since President Donald Trump began his second term just four weeks ago, his administration has pursued several policies that have already shaken the higher education sector. 

On Feb. 7, the National Institutes of Health rolled out a new policy that would cap funding for indirect research costs at 15% for both current and new grants. The move promptly drew at least three lawsuits amid widespread alarm that the cuts would hamper important medical research. 

A judge paused the change only a few days later. And that’s not the only roadblock the Trump administration is facing. 

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The U.S. Department of Education last week agreed to temporarily block staffers of the Elon Musk-led Department of Government Efficiency from accessing sensitive financial aid data — after a student group sued the agency over DOGE’s access to its systems. 

Meanwhile, Trump in his first days on the job issued a flurry of executive orders affecting colleges, from directives targeting their diversity, equity and inclusion programs to a mandate threatening to pull institutions’ federal aid if they allow transgender women to play on sports teams aligning with their gender identity. 

Below, we’re rounding up the Trump administration’s biggest moves to date for higher education leaders to keep an eye on.

• How Trump’s Day 1 actions could affect higher education By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 22, 2025

  New directives took aim at Biden-era efforts to increase educational access for underrepresented students and strengthen LGBTQ+ protections.    Read the full article ➔

• Colleges no longer protected from immigration raids By Kara Arundel • Jan. 21, 2025

  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security lifted the practice of avoiding immigration enforcement at locations where students gather. Read the full article ➔

• Trump signs executive order targeting DEI policies at colleges By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 23, 2025

  The directive escalates the crusade against diversity, equity and inclusion programs on campuses to the federal policy level. Read the full article ➔

• Trump’s Education Department nixes DEI initiatives and guidance By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 24, 2025

  The agency also said it has canceled contracts and placed employees tasked with leading diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives on paid leave. Read the full article ➔

• At 11th hour, judge blocks Trump’s pause on federal funding By Ben Unglesbee • Jan. 28, 2025

  The higher education community faced an "enormous amount of confusion" in the wake of an OMB directive aimed at ensuring programs adhere to recent executive orders. Read the full article ➔

• Education Department will enforce 2020 Title IX rule By Kara Arundel • Jan. 31, 2025

  A letter to colleges and K-12 schools says sex discrimination enforcement activities will only recognize two sexes — male and female. Read the full article ➔

• Hegseth bars ‘race-based’ admissions goals, DEI curriculum at military academies By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 3, 2025

  The three colleges under the U.S. Department of Defense are also banned from teaching "gender ideology," as defined by recent executive orders. Read the full article ➔

• Expected Trump order on Education Department’s future rattles advocates By Kara Arundel • Feb. 4, 2025

  Since congressional approval is needed to shut down the agency, experts say the more likely scenario is a combination of budget cuts and restructuring. Read the full article ➔

• Trump signs executive order barring transgender students from women’s sports By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 5, 2025

  During the signing ceremony, the president warned colleges and K-12 schools that they could lose federal funding if they don’t comply. Read the full article ➔

• Education Department opens Title IX probes following anti-trans order By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 6, 2025

  The agency said it is investigating San José State University, the University of Pennsylvania and a middle and high school athletics association.  Read the full article ➔

• Cancellation of Education Department research contracts sparks concerns By Kara Arundel • Feb. 11, 2025

  The department didn’t provide a list of canceled contracts but said NAEP, the College Scorecard and the College Navigator were not impacted. Read the full article ➔

• DOGE temporarily blocked from accessing Education Department student aid data By Natalie Schwartz • Feb. 10, 2025

  In a lawsuit, the University of California Student Association alleged that the “scale of intrusion into individuals’ privacy is enormous and unprecedented.” Read the full article ➔

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• Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images Colleges no longer protected from immigration raids

  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security lifted the practice of avoiding immigration enforcement at locations where students gather.

  By Kara Arundel • Updated Jan. 22, 2025
• Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images How Trump’s Day 1 actions could affect higher education

  New directives took aim at Biden-era efforts to increase educational access for underrepresented students and strengthen LGBTQ+ protections.   

  By Natalie Schwartz • Jan. 22, 2025