Office of the Chancellor

As you are likely aware, major federal legislation (H.R. 1) was signed into law over the holiday weekend. It will be months or maybe even years before we fully understand how the new law will impact higher education broadly. But I want to share with you what we know at this time about the implications for WashU.

I’m writing to provide you with an update on the developing situation at the federal level as policymakers consider actions that could significantly impact higher education. It’s important for you, as members of our WashU community, to stay informed and to understand how you can get involved. 

The past few months have been a challenging time for American higher education. Our colleges and universities are in the national spotlight and under scrutiny on a number of fronts, including how we conduct research, how we support our communities, and even how we educate our students.

We’re writing today to share an update on our current situation in light of proposed funding cuts and other actions at the federal level that could have a significant impact on WashU.

It’s more important than ever that we make it very clear where we stand, what we stand for, and the value we bring to our nation and the world. At WashU, our focus is squarely on our mission – research, education and patient care. In order to have our greatest impact in each of these areas, we must recommit ourselves to putting these priorities above all else. And we must make our intentions known.