2025 Federal Transition

Updated Feb. 20, 2025

UNMC is committed to being a place where every individual feels welcomed and valued. As Nebraska's only public health sciences center, our mission is to train students and residents with the necessary competencies to care for patients from a wide range of populations and conduct research that makes lives better.

Recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education in a "Dear Colleague" letter has reaffirmed that race-based considerations in federally funded educational institutions are no longer permissible, and UNMC will comply fully with these federal requirements.

As President Gold said in his recent letter to the university community, UNMC, as well as other University of Nebraska institutions, has formed a task force to perform a comprehensive review of all campus activities and programs possibly affected by this guidance. UNMC leaders will evaluate current programs, positions and policies to ensure the federal guidance is being observed while continuing to provide a welcoming environment for all students.

As of Feb. 7, 2025, multiple federal sources have stated that student financial aid and grants that are distributed directly to an individual – loans or Pell Grants – will continue. The federal work study program will continue to be funded. UNMC leadership continues to monitor any federal activity related to or with potential impacts for student financial aid.

Students or parents with financial aid questions or experiencing challenges with financial aid disbursement may email the Office of Financial Aid.

UNMC is dedicated to ensuring the safety of everyone on our campuses. We will adhere to all laws and collaborate with outside law enforcement, as needed.

The Department of Homeland Security has revoked its policy that designated schools, hospitals and churches as "sensitive locations," which previously restricted Immigration and Customs Enforcement actions in these areas, including college campuses. As a state university, we will follow mandatory Nebraska and federal legal processes, including valid subpoenas and judicial court orders. Because we are a public entity and largely open to the public, ICE and other law enforcement agents may enter public areas without a warrant. Other areas of campus, such as buildings, classrooms and offices are generally not considered open to the public and may require a judicial warrant.

In accordance with NU Executive Memorandum 43, if you encounter an ICE agent or any other law enforcement member on campus, please contact the UNMC Public Safety Department via their non-emergency phone number at 402-559-4439 or the NU Office of General Counsel at 402-472-1201 to assist in providing guidance. It is important to remain calm and professional and not interfere with law enforcement.

An executive order increases vetting and screening for all visa applicants, including F-1 and J-1 students. The order directs the departments of State and Homeland Security to ensure that applicants "do not bear hostile attitudes" toward U.S. institutions. These provisions could impact visa processing times and have other implications.  

The order also clarifies that "admitted aliens ... already present in the United States ... do not advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists and other threats to our national security," which could impact international students or employees involved in protests. 

UNMC is monitoring the situation carefully. The experts in our Office of Global Engagement continue to assist and advise international students, scholars and employees regarding visa sponsorships, in accordance with all current laws. Email their office or call 402-559-8449 if you need assistance.

U.S. law requires anyone who is not a U.S. citizen to always carry evidence of status. In most cases, traveling around Omaha or Nebraska at large should only require that you carry either a state ID/driver’s license or your passport, though having digital copies available of other immigration documents, like I-94, I-20 or DS-2019, is recommended. If traveling outside of Nebraska, carrying hard copies of these documents to present just in case is also advisable. 

It is also recommended that you have multiple copies of these documents and store them in separate places (e.g., not all on your person or on a single device you are carrying) to reduce the risk of losing all documentation at once. 

Email the Office of Global Engagement or call 402-559-8449 if you have any questions.

Our Department of Public Safety works to provide a safe environment for those who work on, learn at and visit our campuses. The officers do not inquire about anyone's immigration status. UNMC Public Safety does collaborate with the city, county, state and federal authorities, when necessary.

UNMC is committed to complying with federal and state law, and you should not obstruct the actions of law enforcement. Follow these three steps if you are approached by ICE or other federal agents: 

1. Remain calm and professional to avoid escalating the situation. 
2. Ask for official documentation, including the agent's name, identification number, agency affiliation and warrant. 
3. Inform the officers that you are not obstructing their process but need to contact the NU Office of General Counsel or the UNMC Public Safety Department for guidance, as you want to make sure you remain compliant with FERPA and other applicable privacy laws. General Counsel can be reached at 402-472-1201 and Public Safety at 402-559-4439. 

Refer to NU Executive Memorandum 43 for full details.

Federal orders have called for the elimination of federal diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs and training. We are working to understand how this could affect UNMC, our people and the work we do. We know there are programs, research and offerings that rely on federal funding and/or are extensions of federal programs. UNMC will always comply with state and federal laws while also maintaining a commitment to being a place where every individual feels welcomed, heard and valued.

The impacts of the executive orders are still unfolding. Please continue with work on existing funded projects under the terms and conditions of that award. If there is a change to your award, SPA should receive an amendment from the funding agency notifying us of the change. Please visit the VCR's research federal transition page for updates and information.

The National Institutes of Health has announced a new policy capping Facilities & Administrative (F&A) cost reimbursements at 15% for all NIH grants, effective Feb. 10, 2025. This replaces the individually negotiated rates for universities, which at the University of Nebraska average 50%.

This is a direct $27 million annual funding loss for the University of Nebraska, which currently relies on NIH grants to cover a significant portion of research infrastructure costs. The state is now expected to absorb these costs or face reductions in research programs that drive medical breakthroughs, support rural healthcare, and fuel Nebraska's economy.

No. The F&A reimbursement does not represent "extra" or unnecessary spending—it covers the essential costs of running federally funded research programs, including:

• Maintaining research facilities and labs
• Utilities, security, and research compliance
• Administrative support for managing complex federal grants

This is not a cost savings; it is a cost shift — moving financial responsibility from the federal government to states, universities, and ultimately students.

View an infographic that explains F&A costs.