Bill began his legal career here in Seattle, clerking for a King County Superior Court judge and later joining a small local firm before becoming the lead counsel for Microsoft, where he built its legal team into a global operation. His sharp mind in combination with his staunch code of ethics helped shape the company鈥檚 success and deepen his own commitment to justice and public good.

His commitment to legal justice was epitomized by the World Justice Project, the nonprofit he founded in 2006 to promote the rule of law globally. His thoughtful leadership and unwavering belief in justice and humanity shaped its mission, reflecting his deep commitment to building a fairer world for all.

This same passion and dedication defined his long-standing relationship with the UW, where his generosity reached across the University, including his support of the 91探花Medicine Covid-19 Heroes fund, the Rainier Valley Early Learning Campus, the Harborview Benefit Fund and significant gifts to the 91探花Law School, including major contributions to the construction of William H. Gates Hall.

But perhaps his greatest gifts were those of his time, insight and vision. His volunteer service on boards and committees鈥攊ncluding serving as emeritus director of the 91探花Foundation Board and as a member of the 91探花Diversity Committee and the Evans School Consensus Center Board鈥攈elped guide the UW鈥檚 growth and amplify its mission.

Bill also had a deep connection to the 91探花Law School, serving on the campaign committee during Campaign UW: Creating Futures and partnering with deans and faculty to develop coursework on the fundamental importance of the rule of law鈥攅quipping generations of future lawyers with a strong foundation in justice and civic responsibility.

At the time of his passing, Bill was the Chair of the External Advisory Board for Population Health, an interdisciplinary effort to address the biggest challenges facing our communities, locally and globally. Bill generously accepted my request that he take on this role, and he consistently brought his vision and wisdom to the work of driving real progress in human health, environmental resilience, and social and economic equity. His leadership and compassion will remain a guiding light as we continue the endeavor he was so passionate about.

Bill will be missed immensely, and our hearts are with his beloved family鈥攈is wife, Sally, and his children and grandchildren鈥攁s we honor the life and enduring contributions of a man whose legacy will be felt for generations to come.

I have been a Husky for nearly 40 years, and over the decades, I have seen our University rise to every challenge put before it. We have undergone tough times before, but unquestionably, we now face some of the most significant challenges in our institution鈥檚 164-year history. I wish this were not the case, but I believe with all my heart that the UW鈥檚 mission of impact for the public good will endure thanks to all of you who show up every day to realize it.

As faculty and staff, you create the learning, discovery, innovation, community engagement, patient care and public service that improves lives and catalyzes generational transformation. You produce research that expands the bounds of human knowledge and scholarship that opens the door to new ways of thinking about and solving our most pressing problems. As graduate and professional students, you train to become skilled professionals in healthcare, education, social work, law, government, business, technology, the arts and more. Many of you found new companies grounded in pathbreaking ideas that originate here. As undergraduates, you come here to pursue degrees and experiences that will take you far. I鈥檓 especially proud that so many of our graduates put your degrees to work helping our home state of Washington thrive 鈥� as I am so often reminded when meeting 91探花alumni everywhere I go.

It has been a profound honor to serve this University and the people of Washington, and I will continue to support our public mission from a different vantage point as I return to the faculty. I offer my wholehearted support and enthusiasm for our incoming president, Robert J. Jones. His wisdom, experience and vision have prepared him well to be the UW鈥檚 34th president. I鈥檓 honored to serve as his predecessor, and excited for our community to welcome him.

I thank you all for the privilege of leading this great public university. It has been a journey that I never could have predicted, full of incredible highs (and yes, its share of sleepless nights), and I will always be proud of the impact that we created together. I look forward to our University鈥檚 next amazing chapter.

This year聽聽has had in her decade聽leading Hillel at the University.聽The聽Stroum聽Center聽, and聽this winter,聽Chabad聽House hosted the first ever聽JewDub聽concert聽in Red Square to celebrate Jewish pride.

Sadly,聽Jewish Heritage Month聽is also an opportunity to reflect on the long shadow that antisemitism continues to cast聽across the world. This was most recently made all too clear by the murders of Israeli embassy staff members Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim Yaron, a poignant reminder that too many Jewish聽community members everywhere, including聽right聽here on our campuses,聽fear for their safety and聽that of their loved聽ones.

There is a better way, and I implore every member of our 91探花community to reach for it — to engage in dialogue over destruction, to seek common ground instead of conflict. As a democracy and multicultural society, we must show that we are capable of talking across our differences and of tolerating disagreement without resorting to violence.

Together, we must build a society in which peaceful actions beget peaceful outcomes and in which dialogue fosters understanding and progress toward a more just world.

Dear 91探花Community,

The 91探花 is dedicated to fostering a community that ensures equal access; prohibits discrimination based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity and ancestry; and is welcoming to all so that we can learn, work and live together in safety and dignity. To that end, we are writing to provide you with education and information about Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Please take the time to review this important message.

As we said in our announcement on Jan. 15, 2025, the University has been actively taking steps, including those outlined below, to satisfy its obligations under the resolution agreement with the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights and strengthen its Title VI compliance.

Title VI education and resources

We encourage all students and employees to visit our new Title VI Information and Education webpage, which is designed to educate employees and students about the protections offered under Title VI and the University鈥檚 responsibilities. The page includes:

• Key definitions and examples of conduct that may violate Title VI
• Information on how the 91探花addresses reports and supports those impacted
• Scenarios involving both on- and off-campus or online conduct that could create a hostile environment

Title VI protections apply to discrimination or harassment based on actual or perceived:

• Race or national origin鈥搑elated physical traits
• Skin color or complexion
• Ancestral country or region
• Limited English proficiency or English learner status
• Shared ethnic or ancestral background

These protections extend to behavior that occurs off campus or online if it limits an individual鈥檚 ability to participate in 91探花programs or activities.

Reporting and response

Information about how to make a report can be found on the Make a Report webpage. Retaliation for filing a report or participating in related processes is strictly prohibited under Title VI and University policy.

When a report is received, the 91探花will:

• Review the report and assess any immediate safety concerns
• Identify appropriate response options
• Contact the impacted individual (if disclosed) to offer support and resources
• Evaluate whether a hostile environment may have been created and take necessary action

Campus Climate Survey

If you have not already done so, please take a few minutes to complete the Campus Climate Survey by May 22, which now includes questions about the University鈥檚 climate relating to race, color, national origin, ethnicity and ancestry. Your input will help the University better understand and improve the climate around these and other issues.

Civil Rights Compliance Office

Effective July 2025, the 91探花will launch a newly consolidated Civil Rights Compliance Office within Compliance and Risk Services. This office will house the Title IX and ADA Coordinators, as well as the investigations and case management team. It will also include a Title VI Coordinator, who will oversee Title VI compliance and support broader civil rights initiatives. This role reflects the University鈥檚 ongoing commitment to equitable access to education and employment, and to preventing and addressing discrimination and harassment.

This work depends on all of us, so we thank you for doing your part to contribute to a safe, welcoming and respectful environment at the UW.

Dear 91探花community,

Late yesterday afternoon, a group identifying themselves as the suspended student organization SUPER 91探花posted on social media that they were occupying the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building on the Seattle campus and asked for other groups to join them. These groups temporarily occupied and vandalized the building before being arrested by law enforcement officers from UWPD, the Seattle Police Department and the Washington State Patrol. They also set fire to dumpsters in a nearby street after blocking exits in the IEB and blocking nearby streets to delay firefighters鈥� access.

This was no peaceful protest in support of Palestinian rights or against the war in Gaza. I condemn this dangerous, violent and illegal building occupation and related vandalism. I also condemn in the strongest terms the group鈥檚 statement celebrating the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians. The University will not be intimidated by this sort of horrific and destructive behavior and will not engage in dialogue with any group using or condoning such destructive tactics. We will continue our actions to oppose antisemitism, racism and all forms of biases so that ALL our students, faculty, staff and visitors can feel safe and welcome on our campuses.

King County jail staff are working to identify the roughly 30 people who were arrested, so at the moment we do not know how many are 91探花students or community members. We are working with law enforcement and through our own disciplinary processes to ensure those responsible face appropriate consequences for their actions. And we will continue to stand strong against violent and illegal activities that create a hostile environment for any and all members of our community. I want to thank the members of UWPD and our law enforcement partners for their assistance in bringing this situation to a swift resolution.

Over the past several weeks and months, there have been many questions about how the 91探花 is dealing with federal government actions that affect research funding and/or represent unwarranted and constitutionally questionable intrusions into our ability to educate students, care for patients and conduct research. At the same time, there have been a range of opinions expressed about how we and other universities should be responding to these threats.

We are actively responding on several fronts, many of which Provost Serio and I discussed in our April 3 message to the 91探花community and/or are outlined on the Federal Policy Updates page. Today, I鈥檇 like to focus on how the 91探花is acting in concert with its partners to respond to the ongoing effort to upend the decades-old partnership between universities and the federal government 鈥� a partnership that has made the United States healthier, safer and more prosperous.

The 91探花is engaged in a range of collective conversations and efforts, including through the (BTAA), (AAU), (APLU) and (ACE). These groups regularly bring together university presidents, provosts, vice provosts for research, chief financial officers, communications and federal relations leads, diversity officers, vice presidents for student life, deans of medicine and CEOs of university hospitals, and attorneys general and chief counsels, among others, to share information and discuss strategies for engagement and/or responses to federal actions. We have also been meeting at least weekly 鈥� and more often several times a week 鈥� with subgroups of these same key leaders to discuss how federal actions are affecting us, and how to best mitigate any negative effects. For example, we are involved in a nationwide effort to .

Additionally, I, 91探花Bothell Chancellor Kristin Esterberg, 91探花Tacoma Chancellor Sheila Edwards Lange and nearly 500 of our colleagues from community and technical colleges, public and private liberal arts colleges, and research universities around the country signed . As we said in the letter, we are open to constructive reform and support legitimate government oversight. But we must resist unwarranted government intrusion and the coercive use of public research funding.

In partnership with the , we have also been working closely with colleagues in AAU, APLU and ACE to push back in the courts against federal actions that endanger our missions. We have also assisted in legal challenges against the threat to deport students and faculty for lawful speech and to to arbitrarily cut funding rates.

We have also been instrumental in supporting affirmative litigation brought by Washington state, filing numerous declarations in support of lawsuits to protect the 91探花and others. When Washington state sued the federal government to keep the National Institutes of Health from capping indirect cost rates, the 91探花provided critical information enabling the court to enter an injunction to keep the change from being implemented. The 91探花has similarly supported lawsuits to halt attempts to freeze federal grants and funding that contain elements related to diversity, equity and inclusion; to halt delays in reviewing and renewing NIH grant funding; and to halt the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services, among others. Most recently, as part of the UW鈥檚 efforts to support international students affected by the federal government鈥檚 arbitrary revocation of some students鈥� immigration status, the 91探花supplied key declarations to support litigation that saw the federal government enjoined and forced to reverse its actions.

As these and other actions are challenged, we are using a range of mechanisms to support faculty, staff and students, including those who are funded by grants that have been delayed or canceled. As Provost Serio and I wrote earlier in April, that includes the University taking the risk of allowing departments to authorize advanced spending for 30 days on grants that are pending renewal or extension. But as we also noted, our ability to backstop federal funding is very limited. No source of money available to the 91探花鈥� public or private 鈥� can possibly replace more than a small fraction of the more than $1.2 billion in federally funded research we conducted last fiscal year alone.

In addition, while we closely monitor communications from the U.S. President and federal agencies, we are not taking preemptive action that we believe would not benefit 鈥� or would even run counter to 鈥� our mission. For example, we are not preemptively eliminating our diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs. We do and will, of course, continue to follow all federal laws. Our programs to support the success of all students and employees operate in a manner consistent with current federal law, and we routinely audit programs to ensure this, as well as responding to complaints when they are made.

This is unquestionably a very difficult time with an unprecedented amount of uncertainty, lack of clarity in communications from the federal government, constantly changing grant and contract reporting requirements, and reporting on social media and in news reports that add to anxiety and confusion. For example, there have been reports in the press that we cannot accept NIH funding unless we eliminate our diversity, equity and inclusion programs. The UW鈥檚 programs are fully compliant with federal and state law, and we continue to accept NIH funding as such. The federal administration may wish to change the law, but it has not succeeded in doing so yet.

Finally, I want to thank members of our congressional delegation, led by Sen. Patty Murray and Sen. Maria Cantwell, for their steadfast support of the University and our students and scholars. We are fortunate to have advocates like them and the members of our U.S. House delegation representing our state in Washington, D.C. We will also continue to post regular updates on the Provost鈥檚 Office Federal Policy Updates page, including regarding student visas and the support the University is providing to international students and scholars.

Our approach will continue to be to monitor the federal landscape as it affects us, to be in close communication with our peers and colleagues, and to focus our response and efforts using those channels that we believe will be most effective in protecting and furthering our ability to carry out our mission on behalf of our students, patients and the people we serve.

Over the past two months, we have been tracking and responding to a range of policy changes and directives from the federal government while also facing major state budget cuts. Combined they create a perfect storm that we must continue to actively address.

As we navigate these and future challenges, we will be guided by our mission of expanding access to an excellent education and to serving the public good, as well as our University鈥檚 values. And we will continue to prioritize the well-being of our students, patients, faculty and other academic personnel, and staff as we make decisions.

Budgetary impacts

Federal impacts: As a major research university with a large health-care mission, the cancellation of grants and continued delays in annual award notices and renewals threaten our ability to fund and educate our graduate students, provide our undergraduates with important research experiences, and innovate. They also threaten our ability to provide our patients with leading-edge care in the present and develop and test new life-saving treatments and cures for the future.

On each of these issues, 91探花leaders, the Office of Federal Relations and the Washington Attorney General鈥檚 Office have been working with a range of partners, including higher education associations, 91探花supporters, and policymakers from Washington and other states to protect our ability to fulfill the UW鈥檚 mission. We have been successful in several areas, as court orders have blocked some of the most damaging proposals, at least for the time being. Additionally, this week a presidential message was sent to 91探花alumni living in other states to alert them to these challenges and urge them to join in our efforts to let others know the high societal cost of such draconian cuts to federal research.

As we navigate the ever-changing federal landscape, we are also working with principal investigators and other research leaders to mitigate the effects to the extent we can. That includes taking the risk of allowing advanced spending for 30 days on grants that are pending renewal. However, no source of money available to the University 鈥� public or private 鈥� can possibly replace more than a small fraction of the more than $1.2 billion in federally funded research we conducted last fiscal year alone. We must prepare for the long-term impacts of these federal policy changes.

State impacts: At the state level, the Washington House and Senate majorities鈥� proposed budgets disproportionately affect the state鈥檚 four-year universities and would impose especially damaging cuts on the UW. We recognize the state government is facing budget challenges that Governor Ferguson described as a 鈥渇ive-alarm fire,鈥� and we are committed to doing our part. But the effects of these proposals on our ability to educate students and serve our state are profound.

In short, both chambers are considering measures that would cut the UW鈥檚 funding across the board, as well as reduce the amount and share of money provided for compensation increases. In addition, they raise the costs the 91探花pays for health insurance and other benefits.

Combined, these and other proposals would have major negative impacts on our students. Not only would they and their families be expected to pay more, but with cuts of this magnitude, we simply would not be able to provide students with the same level of educational excellence. These effects would ripple across the state and beyond for years and decades to come, as we still have not fully recovered from the state funding cuts of the Great Recession, and these proposed reductions would set us back again.

President Cauce will continue to travel to Olympia to meet with legislators, and representatives are there daily. She has also written to 91探花alumni living in Washington to inform them of the situation and how they can get updates via , a program of the 91探花Alumni Association.

With your help, and that of our aluhttps://uwimpact.org/join/mni and supporters, we will continue to make the case for the importance of research funding at the federal level and push back against inequitable cuts by the state. Still, there is no question that our budget will be challenged in the upcoming biennium, with the University鈥檚 expenses already stretched thin before the current crisis.

Your continued efforts to reduce expenses are vital. Every dollar that goes to expenses that are non-essential now worsens the financial situation and will require deeper cuts later, putting not only new, but existing programs at risk. We must spend less to through these uncertain times and ensure a healthier future for generations to come.

Commitment to our mission and values

In addition to the budgetary perfect storm, with state shortfalls magnifying federal cutbacks, many of us are deeply concerned about a range of other federal policies that impact our ability to provide an open, welcoming and supportive environment for ALL of our students, faculty and staff.

We do not view diversity and access as being in opposition to merit and excellence, and we remain committed to providing access to excellence for all. We are not mandating any preemptive changes in our policies as we already follow all state and federal anti-discrimination laws. Part of that compliance is ensuring that the members of our University are aware of their responsibilities. For example, in conjunction with state and federal requirements, we鈥檝e expanded trainings on shared ancestry, race and sex discrimination for students, faculty and staff. Also, our five-year Campus Climate Survey will launch this spring to help guide further leadership actions. We hope everyone will participate to ensure the University remains a welcoming place for all. Our programs and services are open to all, and we engage in periodic reviews of our programs and activities using guidance from 91探花Compliance and Risk Services.

The 91探花is committed to welcoming students and employees with a diversity of experiences and viewpoints. Freedom of expression is core to the university experience and to American ideals, and we support the right to free speech across the spectrum of political and ideological positions. At the same time, as we have made very clear, we will enforce laws and policies against harassment, creating a hostile environment and disrupting University activities and operations. We also fully support our faculty and instructors鈥� right to academic freedom, including in their research and in the classroom, while reminding all that in the classroom this freedom applies to their areas of expertise, and not to introducing ideology or content unrelated to the subject matter of their classes.

We are also seeing more aggressive immigration policies and enforcement. International students at other universities have had their visas revoked and, in some instances, been detained. We are communicating directly with F-1 and J-1 visa holders about this situation and providing general advising on standard visa processes and information for international students and scholars about the resources available to them. We are also working directly with the representatives of a 91探花Medicine employee who was detained by immigration officials in late February when returning from a personal trip overseas. You can also review guidance on what to do if immigration officials come to a University facility.

To stay up to date on the latest developments in these areas, visit the Provost鈥檚 Office Federal Policy Updates site and the Office of State Relations News & Updates page.

These are difficult times for universities around the nation, and the 91探花is no exception. We will continue to work with our partners here in Washington and at the national level, guided by our mission and values.

In addition to the actions listed above, it is incumbent upon each of us to demonstrate the importance of the UW鈥檚 mission to the people of Washington and the United States. It is their investments that have created a system of universities that advance the nation鈥檚 health, prosperity and security and, as a result, is the envy of the world. And it is their investments 鈥� and our shared future 鈥� that are now at risk.

Our 91探花alumni include celebrated leaders and icons like Seattle鈥檚 first Black mayor, , our current mayor, and NBA great . But there are many more Black alumni, as well as faculty and staff, whose stories and achievements are fascinating, if not as well known. They include , a law student who was also the UW鈥檚 first Black football player. He competed in the 1924 Rose Bowl at time when only a handful of Black athletes were welcomed on integrated teams.

In 1936, enrolled in the 91探花intending to study nursing. At that time, fewer than two dozen Black students attended the UW, and she faced significant hurdles, including a rejection from the nursing school because of her race. But elsewhere in the University, she found encouragement and support, earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree in sociology in 1941. Incredibly, she returned to the 91探花School of Nursing as a faculty member decades later.

In 1960, Seattle native Charles Mitchell was recruited to the 91探花as a running back for the Huskies, playing in two Rose Bowls. At that time, the 91探花had no formal organizations for Black students, so his home became a de facto gathering space. The community that formed around him helped him succeed academically, and he went on to become the president of Seattle Central Community College and eventually the chancellor of the Seattle Community Colleges District.

Four years later, Robert Flennaugh became the first Black student to graduate from the 91探花School of Dentistry, a major achievement considering he himself had never even known a Black dentist. He went on to join the 91探花Dentistry faculty and later became the first Black member of the 91探花Board of Regents in the 1970s.

Across every discipline, the contributions of Black 91探花students and alumni are too numerous to list. In research, innovation, teaching and entrepreneurship, Black Huskies have been pivotal in expanding knowledge, improving their communities and serving the public. Their achievements are a reminder that diversity and access go hand in hand with progress and excellence in every facet of society, which is why Black History Month is as much about looking forward as reflecting on the past. It鈥檚 a time to consider how we can continue to build a world that values the contributions and voices of all people. At the 91探花, we are committed to ensuring that our campuses are places where everyone has the opportunity to thrive and succeed and where the next generation of Black leaders will prepare for lives and careers of purpose and impact that will benefit us all.

We are closely monitoring changes in federal policies and taking actions to slow, mitigate or prevent any possible detrimental impacts they could have on our teaching, research, service and patient care in what is a highly fluid and unstable situation. Our efforts include partnering with the Washington Attorney General’s Office to support lawsuits filed to and the . We are pleased that the federal judges in both cases issued temporary restraining orders that bar the funding cuts, and we thank the AG鈥檚 office for its swift action. We continue to work closely with our state and federal partners to prevent any permanent reductions in upcoming budget actions and through changes in federal policy. We are also grateful for the support of our Congressional delegation, with whom we are in close contact on these issues.

As our , indirect costs, or Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs, are essential to conducting high-quality research that saves lives and supports the innovations of the future. These funds support critical infrastructure from laboratory space and equipment to research safety and laboratory support positions, and many other necessities vital to conducting cutting-edge research. Our research enterprise depends on federal F&A funds to maintain and expand life-saving medical research and clinical trials. Withdrawing support for these critical expenses would unquestionably stifle innovation and delay advances in areas like cancer, neuroscience, heart health, and infectious diseases, among many fields with the potential to transform health care and save countless lives. It would also have significant economic consequences, with thousands of laboratory, custodial, clinical and technical jobs in Washington and across the country at stake.

Throughout this period of rapid-fire executive orders issued by the President, as well as unexpected and unprecedented directives by federal agencies, we have been and will continue working closely with our R-1 peers, state and federal partners to respond in the manner that best corresponds with our values and educational, research, health care and service missions. While our planning is continuous, any adjustments to our activities will be based on specific and verified information rather than speculation.

Above all, we are committed to supporting our community while navigating this uncertain terrain. We鈥檝e established a central website with up-to-date information and institutional resources, including a site specifically focused on research. Our federal relations team is advocating on our behalf directly with our state delegation and in partnership with our higher education associations and Big Ten partners.聽 We are in daily contact with the Washington Attorney General鈥檚 Office to ensure the important work we do in the service of access and excellence is protected to the full extent allowable by law.

Amidst all the noise and chaos, the best thing we can do is continue our work on behalf of the public good 鈥� providing our students with transformative learning experiences, discovering innovations and advancements that improve the quality of life for so many in our community, and delivering the highest quality patient care. I am so grateful to be part of a community whose dedication to our mission and values have never been clearer or more important to uphold.

Dear 91探花community,

Every change of U.S. presidential administration brings with it changes in federal policy. But the whirlwind of executive orders and policy directives of this last week, combined with rumors of more to come, have created anger and fear for many in our community, while eliciting support from others. Whether in favor or against, or some of each, rapid change and uncertainty can be a source of anxiety and distress, especially when it is still unclear what some of these orders will actually entail and how they may affect our students, faculty or staff and our University community more broadly. Please know that we are closely evaluating and monitoring these policies and the possible impacts they could have on members of our community and on our public values of access and excellence in teaching, research, service and patient care and are in the process of evaluating how to deal with various scenarios.

We鈥檝e provided a list of possible resources for information or support at the bottom of this message [see sidebar] that we will update as necessary. These include resources for undocumented students and for the many international students and scholars in our community since one of the largest concerns is around changes to federal immigration policies. We have been in close touch with undocumented students and international students and scholars since the fall and will continue to communicate with them directly as needed.

One area of special concern given our University and state鈥檚 ongoing commitment to the educational success of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and undocumented students is how to respond in the event that federal officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other representatives seek information about undocumented students and/or come to a 91探花campus or facility for an enforcement action.

prohibits the sharing of information or use of state resources, including University resources, to target Washington residents solely on the basis of race, religion, immigration, citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin. In addition, most student information is . While immigration officials cannot enter a classroom, laboratory, campus residence or private office without an appropriate warrant or judicial order, we are not legally permitted to prevent federal immigration officials from coming into the public spaces of a 91探花campus or facility. And there might be instances when we will be required to respond to valid warrants or judicial orders.

If immigration officials come to your classroom, laboratory, campus residence or office, you must immediately contact the relevant safety office 鈥� their numbers are listed below. They鈥檒l work with the Attorney General鈥檚 Office so that we can respond appropriately given relevant state and federal laws. Employees should also notify their supervisor. We would also appreciate it if you would contact your safety office if you become aware of immigration officials on a campus or at a 91探花facility more generally. Finally, directing his administration to make preparations for supporting children whose caregivers are detained or deported, including working with the state鈥檚 colleges and universities to support students facing these situations. More directives or support from the state may be forthcoming.

Questions have also been raised about federal policy changes related to diversity, equity and inclusion programs. More specific guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Attorney General will be issued, but that guidance is not expected for several weeks. The same can be said of an executive order regarding a review of federal visa policies and of an executive order on gender identity, including that order鈥檚 impact on federal regulations governing sex- and gender-based discrimination, including Title IX.

We are committed to supporting our community while navigating this difficult terrain. While we await additional information from federal agencies, we remain in compliance with state and federal laws that guide our programs. We will continue activities as planned until or unless we are notified differently. We also remain in close contact with the Washington Attorney General鈥檚 office to ensure the important work we do in the service of access and excellence is protected to the full extent allowable by law.

Other changes, while unquestionably disruptive, are expected to be temporary, such as the pause on communications from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through Feb. 1, including meetings to award federal health research grants. However, we remain highly concerned and are closely monitoring potential changes to how federal grants may be awarded, administered and/or discontinued. And, as you may know, there are still other executive orders and policies that are already being challenged in the courts or require congressional approval to implement.

We have and will continue to provide information to all academic and administrative leaders, and the entire 91探花community as necessary, when there is more definitive information to share, including from our state鈥檚 leaders.

Since the 91探花opened its doors during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, our community has navigated through booms and busts, times of war and times of peace, two pandemics, technological revolutions, dramatic shifts in federal, state and local policies, and immense changes in our economy, population and society.

Through all these changes, we have remained committed to our mission of public service 鈥� to providing a world-class education and engaging in cutting-edge and life-changing scholarship, research and patient care, with a focus on enabling everyone in our community to thrive. Our commitment to our mission and our values remains steadfast and strong and will serve as our guide as we navigate these current changes.

Sincerely,

Ana Mari Cauce
President
Professor of Psychology