In January 2025, the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives launched a UCCS Federal Transition Team, along with a corresponding informational webpage: Federal Updates. The Federal Updates page includes all UCCS communications about the federal transition, as well as a list of resources for faculty and staff.
The UCCS Federal Transition Team works in conjunction with the CU System guidance and UCCS Leadership on the federal transition to ensure timely communication and resources for the UCCS community. There will be updates each week in Friday’s Communique newsletter.
This week’s updates:
- UCCS extends its support and heartfelt wishes to CU Boulder and the Boulder community after Sunday’s attack on a peaceful demonstration.
- The UCCS International Affairs team continues to be in close contact with our enrolled international students and with areas where we are actively recruiting potential students. UCCS is monitoring the effect of the changing visa landscape on our enrollment.
- The State Department has indicated it will temporarily pause scheduling new student (F-1) and exchange visitor (J-1) visa appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates as it develops new social media screening and vetting guidance. The State Department has also indicated it will begin to “aggressively” revoke visas for Chinese students.
- UCCS Office of Sponsored Projects, Research, and Investigation (OSPRI) continues to monitor the federal research landscape. No new grant terminations have been reported. There are a couple of updates in this areas:
- Colorado joined a coalition of 16 states in a lawsuit on May 28 against the National Science Foundation (NSF) over the 15 percent indirect cost rate cap and the termination of grants related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
- The White House released a new executive order, Restoring Gold Standard Science, on May 23. The order allegedly seeks to restore public trust in science. OSTP has 30 days to provide additional guidance on implementation. NSF has paused the implementation of the 15 percent F&A cap rate through June 13 when a court hearing for the higher education associations’ lawsuit is scheduled.
- The Department of Defense (DoD) outlined its intent to implement a 15 percent indirect cost rate cap on new awards to universities in May. The DoD has indicated more information on or about June 4th.
- UCCS continues to work with the CU System governmental affairs team to understand the impacts and implementation of the federal updates. For more detailed information please see the CU System Federal Updates.
Remember, there are many resources listed on the UCCS Federal Transitions page for anyone feeling stressed or overwhelmed.