As GW navigates a time of rapid and complex changes at the federal level, these shifts may bring uncertainty and questions for many in our community. To ensure that you feel informed, supported, and equipped to understand how these developments may affect higher education and GW specifically, the university is launching a weekly Federal Update.
These updates will provide clear, timely information on key policy changes and their implications for GW while also addressing questions and providing relevant resources. Please see below for this week’s updates.
Key Updates
- The Office for Civil Rights in the Department of Education issued a “Dear Colleague Letter” on Feb. 14 that sets forth its interpretation of the nondiscrimination obligations of universities and other entities that receive federal financial assistance from the department (which includes GW), including under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The department expands the Supreme Court’s 2023 admissions decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard to a wide variety of university programs. It emphasizes that diversity is not a compelling interest and posits that programs that are race-neutral are unlawful if they are motivated by race.
- The department also issued FAQs on the “Dear Colleague Letter.” The department continues to provide guidance on its interpretation of the decision in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard.
- The Department of Justice announced visits to campuses related to antisemitism. Pursuant to the Executive Order on Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism, the Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism was created, and GW is among 10 university campuses that task force members will be visiting as part of their investigation.
- The U.S. Supreme Court upheld a lower court decision requiring the federal government to release funds to USAID contractors for work already completed. The court rejected a petition of the federal government that sought to avoid paying for this work. As a result of the Supreme Court decision, the case returned to the lower court for a determination of the timeline for when the federal government must comply with the order to resume payments.
- A federal district court in Massachusetts issued an order granting a nationwide preliminary injunction on the regulatory action of the National Institutes of Health limiting indirect cost rates. The preliminary injunction replaces the temporary restraining order that had been in place. The preliminary injunction will remain in place until a trial is held or until ordered by the court.
In addition to this weekly update, President Ellen M. Granberg, Provost Christopher Alan Bracey, and other campus leaders will continue to address the impact of federal policy changes as they meet with colleagues across campus. The questions and concerns you raise in those meetings may serve as the basis for future GW Federal Updates.
At this time of unprecedented change, GW remains committed to our mission and values—advancing education, research, and scholarship in a way that fosters inclusion, excellence, and the free exchange of ideas. The university also will comply with the law at the same time as we will do everything in our power to keep our community safe.
Thank you for all you are doing to keep our university strong and moving forward.
Additional Information
- If you have a question related to federal policy changes and their impact at GW, please reply to this email.
- If you are a researcher and receive any communication from the federal government about your grant, promptly forward those messages to the Office of Sponsored Projects at osr@
gwu. .edu - For more information about federal updates visit GW Federal Updates and the GW Office of Sponsored Projects Federal Transition Updates.