Trump Education Policies Disrupt UCCS Funding and Programs

Administrators at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS) initially believed they could avoid the Trump administration’s sweeping changes to higher education. UCCS, a primarily commuter campus in a conservative part of a blue state, was seen as politically neutral, with students balancing full-time jobs alongside their studies [1]. However, a review of thousands of emails and interviews with students and faculty reveal that UCCS has faced the same scrutiny as elite universities, including investigations and the loss of federal grants [1].

The university lost three major federal grants and found itself under investigation by the Trump-led Education Department. In an attempt to avoid attention, the school renamed websites and job titles. For example, the website for diversity initiatives changed from www.diversity.uccs.edu to www.belonging.uccs.edu [1]. The administrator overseeing inclusive culture and belonging also changed their title to director of strategic initiatives [1]. Faculty and students described a tense environment, with concerns about how to conduct research and interact with students under the administration’s evolving policies [1].

The Trump administration targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and UCCS was included in an investigation of a Ph.D. scholarship program aimed at expanding graduate education opportunities for women and nonwhite students. The administration claimed such programs discriminated based on race [1]. UCCS also reviewed its athletic policies in response to executive orders on transgender athletes, although it concluded that it had no transgender athletes and minimal exposure to affected teams [1].

Federal funding plays a crucial role in higher education, with the U.S. government providing around $60 billion annually for university research. UCCS received $19 million in research funding this year, a small but significant portion of its $369 million budget. The Trump administration’s freeze on grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Defense Department, and the National Science Foundation has disrupted key programs in civics, cultural preservation, and technology [1].

UCCS officials struggled to get clarity from federal authorities as the administration halted grant payments, laid off nearly 1,400 Education Department employees, and restructured responsibilities. The uncertainty extended to student financial aid, with changes in student loan management and potential cuts to tuition grants posing additional challenges [1].

In response to the shifting landscape, UCCS has avoided taking public stances on national issues, following advice from education consultants. This approach contrasts with the vocal activism seen at other institutions, including calls to condemn Trump’s climate policies. The university’s public relations team advised against making public statements unless they directly affected the campus community [1].

UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet acknowledged the uncertainty and rapid pace of changes in a February meeting with faculty, calling it “a bit of a shock.” School leaders had initially believed they could avoid the most severe impacts of the administration’s policies, but the reality has been far more disruptive [1].

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Source: [1] ['A bit of a shock': Even community colleges, largely nonpartisan commuter schools, are feeling the Trump education crackdown](https://fortune.com/2025/08/24/trump-education-crackdown-even-community-colleges-commuters/)