The early months of 2026 have been a period of intense anxiety for faculty and staff across U.S. higher education. Based on developments from January to March 2026, here are four areas of concern for higher education professionals:
Research Funding “Settlements” and Grant Terminations
Faculty are increasingly alarmed by the use of federal research dollars as a bargaining chip. While the Senate moved to reject 40% cuts to the NIH and NSF in January 2026, the administration has used the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to bypass traditional channels. In March 2026, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) issued termination letters for approximately 1,400 grants. Major institutions like Columbia and UPenn have reportedly entered “settlements” with the White House to restore frozen funding in exchange for unspecified concessions regarding campus policies.
The Weaponization of Accreditation (The AIM Committee)
In February 2026, the Department of Education officially launched the Accreditation, Innovation, and Modernization (AIM) Committee. Staff and administrators fear this is the “secret weapon” intended to dismantle the current peer-review system. The stated goal is to replace “DEI-based standards” with “intellectual diversity” requirements and outcome-based metrics (like graduate earnings). Professors worry this will allow the federal government to effectively “de-accredit” schools that do not align with the administration’s ideological priorities.
- Source: Rulemaking Session Latest Actions in Trump Administration Push to Overhaul Accreditation, ACE
Mandated Race Data Collection and “Witch Hunt” Fears
On March 11, 2026, a coalition of 17 states sued the administration over a new mandate requiring colleges to collect and report seven years of detailed race, gender, and income data for all applicants. Professors and admissions officers are concerned that this data is being weaponized to identify and punish institutions that continue to practice holistic admissions. Faculty at some institutions have reported a “chilling effect,” where they fear that even private internal discussions about equity could be subject to federal subpoenas.
Deportation of Protesting Non-Citizen Scholars
A major point of contention for faculty unions (like the AAUP) is the administration’s policy of revoking visas and initiating “self-deportations” for international students and faculty who participate in campus protests. In March 2026, lawsuits were filed highlighting cases where non-citizen instructors were placed on leave or faced detention for political speech. This has led to widespread “self-censorship” among international scholars, who represent a vital part of the U.S. research workforce.
There are ongoing and significant shifts in higher education policy as the Trump administration continues its effort to reorganize the Department of Education (ED) and implement the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
Massive Overhaul of Federal Student Loan Regulations
Following a 30-day public comment period that ended on March 2, the Department of Education is moving forward with a regulatory package that fundamentally changes how graduate students borrow money. The new rules implement the OBBBA’s elimination of the Grad PLUS program, replacing it with strict annual and aggregate loan caps for graduate and professional degrees. The administration argues this will force universities to lower tuition, while critics warn it may limit access to high-cost degrees like medicine and law.
- Source: U.S. Department of Education Press Release, “Proposed Rule to Make Higher Education More Affordable”
Multi-State Lawsuit Against DEI Data Collection
On March 11, New York Attorney General Letitia James and a coalition of 16 other state attorneys general sued the administration over its new “Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement.” This mandate requires colleges to report seven years of detailed admissions data broken down by race, gender, and income. The administration claims the data is needed to root out unlawful “affirmative action” disguised as DEI, while the lawsuit alleges the survey is an illegal “witch hunt” that violates student privacy and administrative laws.
Appellate Court Blocks Federal Funding Freeze
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit upheld a ruling on March 17 that blocks the administration’s “sweeping” suspension of federal agency funding. Originally imposed by the OMB in early 2025, the freeze had targeted billions in grants, specifically those related to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and climate change within universities. The court ruled that the freeze likely exceeded presidential authority and undermined the separation of powers.
- Source: JURIST Legal News, “US appeals court blocks Trump administration federal agency funding freeze”
There’s always good news, if you look carefully enough!
Continued Growth in Diverse Student Enrollment
New data from the Common App, reported on March 13, revealed that Black students are the fastest-growing demographic among applicants for the current cycle. Analysts noted that despite the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on race-conscious admissions, applications from underrepresented students have shown “no meaningful deviations” from previous upward trends. This suggests that university outreach efforts and simplified application processes are successfully maintaining a diverse pipeline of talent.
Seattle University’s Technology Ethics Student-Scholar Program
Seattle University highlighted the progress of its new Technology Ethics Initiative, which pairs students with faculty to co-author research on the “Wild West” of technology law and AI ethics. By providing stipends and seed funding, the university is integrating high-level research into the undergraduate and law school experience, focusing on “public-interest technology” that serves society.