The University of Hawaii President Wendy Hensel sent out an email to the UH community on Tuesday about how the state’s public university system is responding to President Donald Trump’s executive order to halt federal funding for diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and his efforts to cut funding from the National Institutes of Health. However, the email did not outline any new policy changes or actions.
Shortly after taking office, on Jan. 21, Trump signed an executive order banning diversity, equity, inclusion programs across the federal government. He also ordered a review of federal grants to ensure they are not being used for DEI initiatives.
On Friday, the U.S. Education Department issued a memo regarding the EO, which stated that schools must stop using “racial preferences” as a factor in admissions, financial aid, hiring, housing or other areas within two weeks.
Confusion around Trump's orders has reverberated throughout universities across the country.
In Hensel’s email, the newly appointed UH president attempted to provide clarity on the situation, but declined to “to speak out against these new policies.”
Hensel wrote in the email that UH is performing the review ordered by Trump to assess whether federal grants are being used to fund DEI programs. She also said Trump’s order provided some exemptions for DEI initiatives, which suggested that academic programs and curricula “may fall outside the order.” Although, she added that “the meaning and extent of these exemptions are unclear.”
Next, Hensel addressed the potential loss of federal funds because of the EO and Trump’s efforts to cut the National Institutes of Health funding for research programs at universities. “Federal funding is an extremely significant source of financial support for the university,” Hensel wrote. She noted that federal funding supports programs, research projects, and salaries for thousands of employees across the university, as well as students who rely on federal financial aid. She said the university would “make changes that are legally appropriate and necessary.”
The UH president said she is working closely with Hawaii’s Attorney General, who has joined with other AGs to file two lawsuits to challenge the federal directives to halt DEI-related programs and capping NIH funding. In both cases, judges issued temporary restraining orders, providing the court with more time to consider the issues. She said the university would “pursue every means available to us to preserve our mission and core values.” However, she said “the power of the federal executive branch to set policy prospectively is significant,” adding that there is still uncertainty about the implications.
Hensel said more guidance would come from UH via “frequently asked questions in the days ahead.” Spectrum News Hawaii reached out to UH to ask how exactly this information would be disseminated to the UH community, and a spokesperson replied that they are working to gather resources and FAQs on a website.
In Hensel's email, she reiterated her plans, which were announced earlier this month, to form a council of stakeholders who will communicate with the public and listen to their perspectives. UH will announce the council members in the coming days and they will meet by the end of February.
However, under the direction of UH’s Board of Regents, Hensel and the Board chair are the only people allowed to speak on behalf of UH regarding federal EOs and related actions. “This step is necessary to maintain clarity and consistency as we navigate this complex moment,” Hensel wrote.
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.