By President Stephanie Bulger, Guest Viewpoint
Large scale federal actions have undoubtedly caused unease across our campus. Tracking the changes as they come can feel daunting. What I wish to convey to you is Lane Community College’s unwavering commitment to providing high-quality educational opportunities to all students in safe and welcoming learning environments. We stand with our students in advocating for their pursuit of accessible higher education.
Earlier in the month, the U.S. Department of Education announced substantial reductions-in-force, and on March 20, President Trump signed an executive order to close down the department to the maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law. The actual impact of these sweeping changes is not yet truly understood.
While the full impact of these cuts is still unfolding, teams at LCC are preparing to adjust to any potential delays in federal support that may come as a result of these changes. It is also important to note that as with other recent federal actions, these changes are being met with litigation from states across the county. For example, a coalition of 21 state attorneys general, including Oregon, has filed a lawsuit against the drastic changes at the Department of Education. I want to reassure you that LCC remains vigilant in monitoring and assessing how these changes may impact our students, processes, and institutional support from federal agencies.
Additionally, the new administration has notified more than 45 universities of pending investigations by the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights for alleged violations of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The allegations stem from last month’s Dear Colleague letter. Our partners at the University of Oregon are among the named institutions. The UO has provided a response indicating their commitment to following applicable federal regulations. While this action does not affect our college, I want to reassure you that we are confident that our programs and operations here at LCC are compliant with applicable laws.
Understanding that the degree of uncertainty associated with federal activity is unnerving, at LCC, we remain steadfast in our mission to provide access to quality educational opportunities and resources that support student success. Despite these unsettling actions, our commitment to student success, equity, and academic excellence remains unwavering. We will continue to monitor these developments closely and work with our partners to advocate for policies that support our students and our college.
I want to reassure you that all here at LCC are committed to your success and are dedicated to supporting your access to the rich program offerings here.
As always I encourage you to stay informed, ask questions, and reach out if you need assistance in navigating any challenges that arise from these federal changes. We will move forward together, ensuring that Lane Community College remains a place of opportunity and support for all.
In Support,
President Bulger
