UNI leaders discuss fluid federal education landscape

UNI leaders discuss fluid federal education landscape

President Mark Nook convened UNI’s University Council on Tuesday to discuss federal developments that have the potential for impacts on and opportunities for higher education across the nation.

Tuesday’s University Council session began with remarks from American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Assistant Vice President for Federal Relations, John Patrick Walsh. Mr. Walsh discussed the various Executive Orders, Dear Colleague Letters, potential funding cuts at federal agencies and possible impacts to federal grants.

As of April 2, no federal research grants at UNI have been recalled by any federal agencies according to Tolif Hunt, UNI’s director of research and sponsored programs. 

AASCU is a collective of 350 state colleges, universities and systems that share a commitment to make affordable, high-quality education available to all students. Later this month Nook and Chief of Staff Oksana Grybovych Hafermann will travel to Washington, D.C. for the AASCU Board of Directors meeting and the annual AASCU on Capitol Hill event. 

While Walsh acknowledged that there may be more questions than answers about which executive orders may end up in court, he also indicated that Regional Public Universities such as UNI will likely not be impacted as dramatically as research-intensive and land grant institutions. He also noted that Congressional budget conversations could extend into the summer.

UNI’s Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships has already extended offer letters to the vast majority of admitted students for Fall 2025. UNI Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships Tim Bakula also confirms that the FAFSA process continues to remain open and available. Filling out the FAFSA is essential piece of the financial aid process. Nearly 30% of UNI undergraduates receive the federal Pell Grant which has not been impacted by any budget cuts. 

‌President Mark Nook speaking

In Tuesday’s meeting, Nook assigned leads to several teams to continue monitoring developments as they relate to potential impacts to and opportunities for UNI.

  • Accreditation – Deedee Heistad & Kristin Moser

  • Data – Kristin Moser

  • Civil Rights, Title IX – Leah Gutknecht

  • Financial Aid & Student Loans – Tim Bakula

  • Grants – Tolif Hunt  

  • TRIO – Robert Smith

  • Litigation – Anne Bilder

Robert Smith has played a key role for students across Eastern Iowa during his three decades at UNI. In his current role as executive director of UNI-CUE (UNI’s Center for Urban Education), Smith and his team continue to administer the TRIO programs that serve first-generation and low-income students. The Higher Education Act was originally signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1965 and has subsequently reauthorized and amended several times over the years, providing the continuing legal framework for TRIO.  

University Council is scheduled to convene for its regular meeting on April 14. The campus community is encouraged to reach out to the leads above with questions or concerns regarding those specific areas. Once campus receives more clarity on issues impacting UNI students, faculty and staff that communication will be shared as appropriate.