Updates related to federal orders, policies and regulations

In January 2025, new presidential and congressional leadership began issuing memos, regulations and executive orders, including some with the potential to impact our work and community at University of Michigan-Dearborn. The implications of many of these measures are unclear and will likely depend on how they are interpreted and applied, both by agencies and, ultimately, the courts. The university will post information and resources to this page, and we ask that students, faculty and staff check back often for updates.

DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Q: Can I include pronouns in my email and Zoom signatures? Do I need to remove these?

You may include pronouns in your email and Zoom signatures. There is no reason to remove pronouns if they are currently in your signatures.

Q: Can we refer to our campus as diverse, welcoming and/or inclusive?

Yes. Referring to our campus community as diverse, inclusive and welcoming are accurate descriptors and we can continue to use these words to describe our campus, faculty, staff and students.

Q: Do we need to remove or edit references to diversity, equity and inclusion on our website or alter any existing marketing materials based on the executive orders?

All programs, events, activities, offices, organizations and other aspects of campus life should be inclusive of all people. If any campus-related offerings are exclusive in any way, they must be reimagined and related web content and marketing materials should be edited accordingly.
Questions in these areas should be directed to the Office of External Relations.

Q: Are there campus events that should be canceled or adjusted in any way?

If the event is not exclusive in any way, it may continue. If you have any questions about a specific event, please contact your dean, director or department head for clarification.
Questions should be shared with the university administrators.

Q: Does the Office of Holistic Excellence need to alter or adjust its mission in any way?

In February 2024, the creation of the Office of Holistic Excellence (OHE) was announced. This office was charged with amplifying the campus’ commitment to building a welcoming and all-embracing culture and providing enriching experiences for our community.

OHE will remain at the forefront of promoting an environment where all students, faculty, and staff feel a sense of belonging and flourish. It will continue to support the free expression of diverse thoughts and viewpoints, as well as encourage open and respectful dialogue. The office’s efforts adhere to all applicable, appropriate and relevant federal laws.

Q: Are any academic programs or offerings impacted?

After a thorough review of all our academic programs, we are confident that they fully adhere to federal laws and guidelines.

Q: Are student organizations like the Black Student Union, the Society of Women Engineers or the Muslim Student Association impacted by the guidance?

No. All student organizations are open to all members of the student body and are not exclusive in any way.

RESEARCH

Q: What impact will the decision by the NIH to reduce indirect cost payments have on my research?

A federal judge has halted the NIH effort to institute an indirect cost rate cap of 15% for new and existing grants, leaving a great deal of uncertainty about the impact the NIH action will have on research. That said, federal agency program officers have the authority to clarify whether a new federal directive applies to a grant. If a principal investigator (PI) has not heard directly from either the agency that sponsors their work or the officer who oversees the funding program, and there is a question about what directives apply, they should reach out to their program officer.

Q: Should I stop or alter my research activities based on the new federal actions?

Before incorporating new federal directives or changing policy into your work processes, researchers should consult the assigned member in the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP).

Some federal agencies are providing agency-wide guidance and/or guidance directly to individual researchers and institutions. Individual program officers, or the equivalent, have the authority to offer guidance about what their specific programs allow. Be aware that program officers can pursue their mission in different ways – with the result being differences in directives across programs within the same agency. Guidance offered by one program officer in an agency may not apply to other programs within that agency. If you have questions, reach out to the relevant program officer or equivalent directly.

Q: What should I do if I receive a stop-work order for activities funded by federal grants?

A principal investigator (PI) or research administrator who receives a stop-work order directly should immediately contact Armen Zakarian and their award management officer in the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects (ORSP).

For more information please refer to .

FINANCIAL AID

Q: Have federal student financial assistance programs been impacted by the executive orders?

No. Federal student financial assistance programs, such as grants and loans, have not been impacted by the executive orders or other federal actions.

IMMIGRATION

Q: What should I do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) comes to campus:

ICE has the right to come onto our campus
In areas where they need a warrant to enter, one will be shown
All faculty and staff should call public safety should any matters arise in their classrooms, labs or office
It is important that you do not interfere with law enforcement

Q: If I have a passport or green card, should I carry these documents on my person?

ICE has been targeting select individuals so far
People should continue to do what they are doing now until we learn more

Q: What should I do if I see immigration enforcement authorities on campus?

Do Not Interfere:
- Do not obstruct the actions of law enforcement officers.
Notify Public Safety at 313-593-5333
- As always, in an emergency, call 911.
Document:
- You have the right to document the interaction. However, you should maintain a safe distance. You may not resist or otherwise interfere with the actions of law enforcement.

Q: What kind of support is available to students if they are taken into custody?

Students can contact (734.763.9920) to connect with an outside immigration attorney for a free meeting and consultation.

Q: I am a student, faculty or staff member and I have questions. Where can I go for help?

International students and scholars whose immigration and visa documents are sponsored by the university can contact the following offices:

Office of International Affairs – Dearborn (313-583-6600)

International employees can contact (734.763.4081)

For those looking for an outside resources:

Information by topic:

Message from the president:

A Dear Colleague Letter from the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights interprets Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision striking down race-based affirmative action in college admissions, to apply to other university policies and programs beyond admissions decisions. The letter states that “treating students differently on the basis of race to achieve nebulous goals such as diversity, racial balancing, social justice, or equity is illegal.” The letter further states that federal law prohibits the use of race “in decisions pertaining to admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing,
graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.” It also states that “[a]though some programs may appear neutral on their face, a closer look reveals that they are, in fact, motivated by racial considerations.” The letter directs schools and universities to comply within 14 days and notes that those that fail to do so face potential
loss of federal funding.

The university is working to assess the potential impact of the letter.

Key source documents

Executive Order:
Executive Order:

The administration has issued executive orders regarding DEI that include a number of elements. “” directs the Attorney General to provide “recommendations for enforcing Federal civil-rights laws and taking other appropriate measures to encourage the private sector to end illegal discrimination and preferences, including DEI.”

The order attempts to classify institutions receiving federal student aid (Title IV funding) as federal subcontractors and directs the Justice and Education departments to issue guidance that identifies “the measures and practices required to comply” with the Students for Fair Admissions vs. Harvard University case. This guidance expands the application of the Supreme Court ruling that struck down affirmative action to areas beyond admissions.

The order also directs each agency to identify “up to nine potential civil compliance investigations” of organizations including publicly traded corporations, large nonprofits and institutions of higher education with endowments over 1 billion dollars.

“” requires federal agencies to terminate “equity-related” grants or contracts, and all DEI or DEIA performance requirements for employees, contractors, or grantees. Agencies are also directed to provide a listing of all “Federal contractors who have provided DEI training or DEI training materials to agency or department employees,” and all “Federal grantees who received Federal funding to provide or advance DEI, DEIA, or ‘environmental justice’ programs, services, or activities since January 20, 2021.”

The university is monitoring this situation closely and working to identify any university offices or contracts that could be subject to “.”

Transgender athletes

The order states that “women’s sports are reserved for women” and directs the U.S. Department of Education to “protect all-female athletic opportunities and all-female locker rooms.” It prioritizes enforcement actions against educational institutions that “deny female students an equal opportunity to participate in sports and athletic events by requiring them, in the women’s category, to compete with or against or to appear unclothed before males.” It further directs federal departments and agencies to review grants to educational programs and rescind funding to programs that fail to comply.

The order directs the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy to convene State Attorneys General to identify best practices in “defining and enforcing equal opportunities for women.” It also directs the U.S. Secretary of State to “use all appropriate and available measures” to see that the International Olympic Committee likewise determines eligibility “according to sex and not gender identity.”

The university is assessing the potential impact of this order.

Jan. 31, 2025

Executive Order:
Executive Order:
Department of Education Dear Colleague Letter:

The administration has issued an executive order, , stating “it is the policy of the United States to recognize two sexes, male and female” which is grounded in an individual’s biological classification at birth. Under the order, all agencies are directed to use the term “sex” not “gender” in federal policies and documents and federal funds shall not be used to promote gender ideology.

A second executive order, , states “it is the policy of the United States that it will not fund, sponsor, promote, assist, or support the so-called ‘transition’ of a child from one sex to another.” The order directs the head of each executive department or agency that provides research or education grants to medical institutions, including medical schools and hospitals, to ensure institutions “end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children.”

The United States Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued to K-12 schools and institutions of higher education advising educators and administrators that OCR will enforce Title IX using the interpretation of “sex” to mean “the objective, immutable characteristic of being born male or female.”

The university is assessing the potential impact of these actions.

Updated: February 26, 2025

Note: much of this information was created and written by ��-Ann Arbor. This information provides a clear overview of the issues impacting all universities, including ��-Dearborn. In many instances university policies and guidance encompass all three campuses. This site will continue to serve as a blended area of Ann Arbor, Dearborn and Flint content to inform and guide the ��-Dearborn campus.

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