Pacific Index

Pacific has assembled the Higher Education Impact (HEI) Task Force to address
federal policy shifts and what these changes mean for students

Though the entire country is facing a period of uncertainty following a series of executive orders issued by the Trump administration, universities—and specifically Pacific—are currently in states of heightened anxiety concerning impacts to federal funding, immigration policies, and Title IX regulations. To address these concerns, the university has established the Higher Education Impact (HEI) Task Force, led by Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Sarah Phillips.

In an exclusive interview in early February, Phillips provided insight into the potential
consequences of these policy shifts and how Pacific is preparing to support its students.
According to Phillips, there are no immediate changes impacting students. However, she
acknowledged that undocumented and immigrant visa-holding students are experiencing elevated fear and uncertainty. While no policy changes have been finalized, the university is monitoring the situation closely.

Phillips emphasized that Oregon remains a sanctuary state, meaning local law enforcement does not cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). “Campus Public Safety (CPS) officers are trained to read warrants and will not grant access to staff or students without a legal order,” she stated. Students are encouraged to call CPS if approached by ICE agents.

As of now, there have been no changes to tuition, financial aid, or scholarships due to federal funding restrictions. However, Phillips warned that funding could be revoked in the future, depending on new federal directives. “There’s a lot of concerted effort to challenge these things legally,” she explained. “We will do everything we possibly can to protect our students. Court battles will take time, so there’s no need for students to panic yet.”

Pacific receives federal funding through various grants, scholarships, and Title IV financial aid, including Pell Grants and work-study programs. “Just for work-study alone, we receive about one million dollars a year,” Phillips noted.

Despite concerns over funding freezes, she confirmed that federal agencies are still reviewing grant applications and that no “stop work” orders have been issued. “This situation is similar to past government shutdowns, that our students are no doubt familiar with, but the difference now is that these cuts are intentional,” she said.

Phillips encouraged students to remain engaged and informed. “The most important thing is to be in a community. Fear thrives in isolation. Stay connected,” she advised. She also urged students to seek factual information before reacting to policy changes and to use their voices by contacting elected officials. “Even if it’s just to say, ‘I don’t like this,’ call your representatives. It’s their job to listen to you.”

The task force will continue to send email updates, and students are encouraged to read their emails and reach out with any concerns or questions.

Looking ahead, Phillips assured that Pacific University is financially stable and prepared to adapt if federal funding restrictions worsen. “This is our 175th year, and we’re not going anywhere,” she affirmed. “If the worst happens, which I don’t believe will occur, we will navigate it as a community. We’ll be transparent and hold town halls to keep students informed.”

While the full impact of these executive orders remains uncertain, Pacific is taking proactive steps to protect its students and maintain its core mission. The administration remains committed to transparency, advocacy, and resilience in the face of shifting federal policies. For further updates, students are encouraged to monitor task force emails and reach out with any concerns.