President Donald Trump’s sweeping executive orders have undeniably marked the U.S. political landscape, threatening to upend and transform the education system through cutting research funding and combatting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs. Emory University President Gregory Fenves spoke to the University Senate on Feb. 25 about how these directives will shape Emory’s future, warning faculty that the relationship between the federal government and the University is likely to change.
During the University Senate’s monthly meeting, Fenves explained that the policy changes will affect two main areas: research funding and DEI programs.
Federal funding is essential for Emory’s research functions, according to Fenves. The University received over $485 million from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in 2023, which represented almost half of the University’s total research funding that year. Fenves said Trump’s directives have mainly targeted indirect costs in research, such as expenses for utilities, staff salaries and library access. Specifically, he cited that these directives could reduce Emory’s Facilities and Administrative rate from 56% to 15%, which means a lower rate of reimbursement by the federal government for these indirect costs.
Fenves emphasized the necessity of researchers understanding how the federal government affects their ability to perform their jobs, and clarified that besides salaries and other direct costs, there are various other expenses necessary to facilitate research.
“It’s really important that members of the community, especially the research members of the community, understand how important [indirect cost funding] is for the research,” Fenves said. “The way the federal system is set up, we can charge direct cost per grant with investigators here for salaries and direct expenses, but there’s so much more that’s required to enable research.”
Fenves said there will be litigation and lobbying efforts in Congress to address the effects on the University’s research processes. Fenves declined to provide details on the litigation status but said he plans to go to the U.S. Capitol in a few weeks to find solutions with peer institutions and various legislators.
“We’re working with Congress to make sure that they understand what these impacts are,” Fenves said. “What we’re doing to make sure that we’re providing the best education and the most impactful research — we’re doing it, especially research, efficiently, so that Congress can enact the laws on appropriations.”
Fenves added that it is possible the University’s endowment tax would be increased “by a factor of 10” as a result of recent proposals by members of Congress. Emory and other universities began paying an endowment tax in 2017 during Trump’s first administration, and if enacted again, the tax will mean that Emory will have less money to spend on supports, academic programs and facilities. Fenves also noted that he and leaders of peer institutions have communicated this issue to Congress and discussed the crucial nature of the endowment toward Emory’s functioning as a University.
“If we look at all the major sources that not only enable Emory but other great universities in this country — research funding and the endowment that underpins so much of what
we do and support for students that get an education — all of those are potentially changed,” Fenves said.
Fenves also spoke about the defunding of Pell Grants — federally funded grants to students who qualify for financial aid — and federally subsidized student loans, warning the audience to watch for policy changes. Trump’s rhetoric on abolishing the Department of Education has led many to question if Pell Grants will be affected.
“I don’t want to get everybody worried, but [we] should be worried with the Department of Education and potential changes in that,” Fenves said. “I do have concerns about the Department of Education’s support for student loans.”
In addition to finances, Fenves addressed the Trump administration’s attacks on DEI programs during the meeting. Fenves described a recent letter from the Department of Education (DOE) that aims to “End Racial Preferences” as “very generic” and “very vague.” The DOE’s recommendations criticized efforts to promote racial justice and diversity in education, calling DEI programs a “less direct, but equally insidious” form of discrimination.
Fenves explained that Emory will not make changes until it is clear how Trump’s directives are meant to be executed, but noted that he and the University Senate would work to ensure that University DEI policies comply with directives.
“There is a lot of uncertainty, but so far, we are not making any decisions,” Fenves said. “We need to make sure we’re in compliance with the law.”
University Senate President-elect and Philosophy Department Chair Noëlle McAfee questioned if and how directives threatening DEI would impact language and titles used by the University. Fenves said that such changes have not taken place.
“We are not taking down webpages,” Fenves said. “We are not changing titles of individuals.”
Oxford College Student Government Association President Kenan Bajraktarevic (25Ox) referenced The Emory Wheel’s findings associated with the Board of Trustees’ largely right-leaning members and questioned Fenves about whether the board would influence the University’s actions. Fenves remarked that the board is committed to the University’s “mission” but said he would not discuss specifics on board members’ political views.
Fenves emphasized that even through political changes, Emory will remain committed to its core principles and missions to facilitate research and promote diversity.
“[DEI principles] are core principles of any organization, especially educational institutions, and I am very proud of the work that Emory has done for a long time,” Fenves said.
Jacob Muscolino (he/him) (28C) is an assistant news editor at The Emory Wheel. He is from Long Island and plans to major in History and East Asian Studies. Outside of the Wheel, he is involved in Emory Reads and Emory Economics Review. You can often find Jacob watching the newest blockbuster for his Letterboxd, dissecting The New York Times and traveling to the next destination on his bucket list.
