Latest Updates
May 2, 2025: The National Science Foundation introduced a new policy that caps indirect cost recovery, also known as Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs, at 15% on grants and cooperative agreements. F&A costs represent the infrastructure and administrative support necessary to conduct research, such as lab space, utilities, and compliance services. The change is effective May 5, 2025 and does not affect current awards but will apply to all new NSF proposals and awards after the effective date. PSU is actively preparing faculty and staff for the transition, offering proposal support, budget planning assistance, and updated resources via its research support teams. For more information visit the Research guidance page or read the message from Vice President Rick Tankersley.
April 25, 2025: The Federal Administration has reversed its recent decision to terminate the student visa registrations of thousands of international students — including the visa eligibility of two current PSU students and one recent graduate whose visas were terminated on April 10. This action follows intense legal scrutiny and numerous restraining orders from federal judges who deemed the mass terminations illegal. The Department of Justice announced the reversal in federal court, stating that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would no longer terminate student visa records solely based on criminal history checks that flagged misdemeanor charges and dismissed cases. The Office of International Student and Scholar Services is working with the impacted students to determine next steps.
April 24, 2025: President Ann Cudd joined university presidents nationwide in signing an American Association of Colleges and Universities letter denouncing the Federal Administration’s unprecedented government overreach and political interference in higher education.
April 11, 2025: President Ann Cudd has been working closely with Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield and applauds his decision to join an amicus brief, filed by a coalition of attorneys general, in support of the AAUP lawsuit filed against the State Department challenging the revocation of student visas. Read more about the amicus brief and the AAUP lawsuit.
April 10, 2025: PSU learned that the federal government terminated the visa eligibility for two current PSU students and one recent graduate. This has been the case at numerous other higher education institutions. President Ann Cudd shared a message with campus reaffirming PSU's commitment to supporting its students.
March 28, 2025: On March 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education sent notice to the Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Committee announcing that the department was revoking a 2023 federal waiver that allowed universities to utilize federal TRIO funding for students without permanent legal status. Although Portland State has an active TRIO program that provides support and funding for low-income or first-generation students or students with a documented disability, PSU was not yet making use of the waiver. To the best of our knowledge, PSU students will not be impacted at this time.
March 26, 2025: On March 20, 2025 President Trump signed an Executive Order designed to “return education to the states” by significantly reducing the actions and scope of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). This followed a March 11, 2025 announcement of a 50% reduction in force at ED effective March 21, 2025. There were limited immediate effects from these announcements, and the long-term consequences are unknown. You can read more about how the reduction in force and executive order may impact the PSU community on the Student Finance site.
March 13, 2025: Research and Graduate Studies released a position statement reaffirming PSU’s commitment to academic freedom, research integrity, and public-impact research, designed to provide clarity and reassurance to faculty, staff, and students as we navigate the evolving federal directives. The statement is available for review on the Research site.
March 10, 2025: The Department of Education Office of Civil Rights announced it had sent letters to 60 universities, including Portland State, under investigation for alleged antisemitic discrimination and harassment.
PSU leaders provided the following statement: "Portland State University recognizes the concerns raised by the U.S. Department of Education’s recent communication, and we want to reaffirm our dedication to addressing and preventing any form of discrimination or harassment, including antisemitism, within our community. We believe that every student has the right to pursue their education free from fear, prejudice and discrimination. Portland State will continue working with community Jewish organizations and supporting efforts to combat antisemitism and mitigate the impact of hate and bias. PSU has a long history of standing against hate in all its forms, and we will continue to ensure that our policies and practices reflect this unwavering commitment to uphold a safe, inclusive and respectful community for all."
Feb. 17, 2025: In a Dear Colleague Letter released late on Feb. 14, 2025, the Department of Education warned that universities risked losing federal funding if they continued to take race into account when making scholarship or hiring decisions, or in “all other aspects of student, academic and campus life.”
Portland State University exists to advance social mobility and meet the current and future workforce needs of the state by making the transformative power of higher education available to anyone who wants to pursue a college degree. We serve all learners and strive to create a welcoming campus environment for all. We don't believe the letter will impact any of our current programs or activities because we have always operated within the law. We will continue to work with internal and external partners to evaluate any potential impacts and provide guidance as needed. As always, please don't hesitate to reach out to the Office of General Counsel with any specific questions or concerns.
Feb 14th, 2025: The Federal administration’s recent push to cap indirect cost recovery at 15% for NIH grants has reignited concerns across the research community. While this might seem like a minor accounting adjustment, such a cap would result in a 70% reduction in the amount PSU receives from NIH grants to cover essential research infrastructure and administrative costs. F&A reimbursements are critical to sustaining federally funded research — they support laboratory space, research equipment, IT and data security, regulatory compliance, and the administrative staff needed for grant management and reporting. Without full reimbursement, universities must absorb these costs, diverting resources from faculty support, graduate education, and institutional research investments.
Recognizing the harm this would cause, multiple states and research institutions — including Oregon — challenged the policy in court. A TRO has blocked its implementation for now, but the uncertainty has already disrupted research planning.
The Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) has provided helpful resources explaining the essential functions of F&A costs. More research guidance
Feb. 3, 2025: The Department of Education Office of Civil Rights announced it would investigate five universities, including Portland State for alleged incidents of antisemitism.
PSU leaders provided the following statement: “Portland State University is dedicated to upholding a safe, inclusive and respectful community for all community members. We take these concerns seriously. The university continues to support and engage with efforts to combat antisemitism and mitigate the impact of hate and bias. Our commitment is steadfast and unwavering as we continue to create avenues for dialogue, support and understanding. It is the university’s understanding that the Feb. 3 notice from the U.S. Department of Education initiates a directed investigation — which means it is not based on a specific complaint from an individual, but instead is prompted by the new administration. The notice of investigation is not in itself evidence of any violation. PSU will cooperate fully with the U.S. Department of Education.”
Jan. 28, 2025: A proposed federal funding freeze raises concerns about the impacts on federal grant funding and financial assistance. Portland State will continue to prioritize our students and our people. We do not anticipate any interruption to financial aid disbursements this academic year and we are prioritizing people costs on all research grants. Full message
Jan. 23, 2025: PSU is committed to remaining a welcoming and safe place for all learners. Full message regarding the protection of student rights.
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