Dear Campus Community,
The PSU leadership team is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving federal impacts, especially given the memo issued by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) last night that enacts a broad freeze on federal grant funding and financial assistance. This comes on the heels of a flurry of concerning Executive Orders issued in the last week that we are continuing to examine for potential impacts to our community.
Please be assured that Portland State will continue to prioritize our students and our people. OMB and the U.S. Department of Education clarified that Title IV federal student financial aid, including Pell grants and student loans, will not be affected by this freeze. Accordingly, we do not anticipate any interruption to financial aid disbursements this academic year.
For students and employees working on federally funded research grants, we’re asking leaders to prioritize people and temporarily suspend their non-personnel spending and other grant related costs. For example, avoid new spending commitments, supply or equipment purchases, or initiation of project-funded travel. More detailed guidance for faculty researchers is available on the Research website and a message to faculty and staff with more information is forthcoming from Research and Graduate Studies.
I understand that uncertainty is difficult to navigate and I want to assure you that there are many individuals across the university who are monitoring updates and providing information to those who need it. We will continue to keep the campus community informed.
Thank you for everything you do to take care of each other and the PSU community.
Sincerely,
Ann Cudd
PSU President