University of Â鶹´«Ã½ President Wendy Hensel met with U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz on May 28, at UH ²Ñ¨¡²Ô´Ç²¹ to discuss escalating threats from recent policy changes under the new federal administration.
“We discussed the challenges of research funding, student aid and the work we need to do together to make sure we continue to move the university forward in these changing moments,” said Hensel. “I appreciate his partnership and look forward to working in the days ahead.”
Schatz, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, met with Hensel and senior UH leadership to assess the impact of the termination of millions of dollars in federal research grants. The cuts from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, U.S. Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services and Education—have disrupted critical research programs and forced the university to adjust its operations and future planning.
“Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s public universities are doing everything right, enrolling more students, investing in innovation and staying focused on local needs, but Trump¡¯s political decisions are putting all of that at risk,” said Schatz. “We¡¯ll keep fighting to protect our campuses, students and the future they¡¯re working so hard to build.”
In a separate virtual meeting, Schatz spoke with chancellors and provosts from across the 10-campus UH System. Campus leaders shared growing concerns about reduced federal funding, student financial aid cuts and increasingly aggressive visa enforcement actions that are putting international students at risk of deportation.
Hensel emphasized the importance of continuing to work closely with Â鶹´«Ã½¡¯s congressional delegation to ensure UH remains strong and resilient in the face of ongoing federal challenges.