Executive Orders & Directives

Federal executive orders and evolving agency guidance can influence research funding, compliance, and administrative processes at UND. We are working closely with federal partners and monitoring any related legal developments to understand potential impacts on our campus community.

For now, unless you receive direct instructions from your federal program officer to pause or change specific activities, you should continue your federally funded research as planned.

Because it can take time for agencies to issue official guidance or for court decisions to clarify certain actions, there may be a delay before we can share actionable updates. We appreciate your patience and want you to know that our goal is to provide information that is accurate, reliable, and useful.

If you think your federally funded work could be affected, or if a principal investigator (PI) receives correspondence directly from the agency or institution that sponsors their work or the officer who oversees the funding program, please work with the VPRED Office at the contacts listed below. We’re here to support you in navigating these changes and ensuring you have the resources you need to continue your important work.

Lauren Pite  
Grants & Contracts Accounting 
lauren.pite@UND.edu

Michael Sadler 
Research & Sponsored Program Development 
michael.p.sadler@UND.edu 

No. We encourage researchers to move forward with your proposal preparation and submission. Please adhere to current federal program guidance for the funding program to which you are applying and reach out to Research & Sponsored Program Development at und.rspd@UND.edu with any questions regarding specific solicitations.

We do not yet know how and to what extent individual faculty careers and research trajectories may be disrupted by procedural or policy-driven changes at the federal level. Lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic provide examples of how to ensure faculty success during rapid change and uncertainty. Possibilities include allowing for one-year tenure clock extensions. 

Make sure your dean and department chair are aware of any disruptions to your research agenda caused by federal directives. You can also reach out to:  

Randi Tanglen 
Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs 
randi.tanglen@UND.edu

NIH released guidance on Feb. 7, 2025 indicating their intention to cap indirect cost recovery on all awards to 15%. On Feb. 10, 2025 a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order directing the NIH to continue granting new awards and reimbursing current awards at their agreed upon, negotiated indirect cost rates. If a principal investigator (PI) receives correspondence directly from the agency or institution that sponsors their work or the officer who oversees the funding program, they should reach out to:  

Lauren Pite  
Grants & Contracts Accounting 
lauren.pite@UND.edu

Michael Sadler 
Research & Sponsored Program Development 
michael.p.sadler@UND.edu 

The university will continue to monitor this closely and work with any areas that might be impacted by such a change.

Some federal agencies are providing agency-wide guidance and/or guidance directly to individual researchers and institutions. Before incorporating new federal directives or changing policy into your work processes, researchers should attempt to contact their federal program officer. 

If you have questions about whether any of these directives apply to your work, or you have received direction from your federal program officer to stop or change certain activities, reach out to:

Lauren Pite
Grants & Contracts Accounting 
lauren.pite@UND.edu

Michael Sadler 
Research & Sponsored Program Development
michael.p.sadler@UND.edu

Because of substantial staffing and policy changes in federal agencies, actions related to current awards, renewals and new awards are delayed. Virtually all agencies are affected one way or another and the challenges for federally funded research at universities continue. The guidance provided here is intended to assist units and PIs who have been given notice of a grant termination or related cease and desist order related to an active grant.

• Receipt of a Cease and Desist Letter: Should a PI receive a cease and desist order, please reach out to your Grants Officer in the Division of Research & Economic Development for guidance on next steps.
• Grant Cancellation before the start of Grant Activity: Should a PI or unit on campus receive notice of a grant cancellation before the commencement of grant activities, please inform the Grants Officer immediately. Do not proceed with any spending or activity related to the grant without clearance from the VPRED’s office.
• Early termination of an Active Grant: In the unfortunate event that an award is terminated early, the PI should notify their department and their Grants Officer immediately so GCA is aware of this action; to the extent necessary, we will advise RSPD for their input. GCA will provide guidance to schools/colleges so that they can support PIs and their department staff in managing this loss. If your research involves animals or human subjects, contact the office of Research Compliance & Ethics for assistance on managing the termination of protocols if appropriate.
• All charges to the project must be suspended as of the termination date provided in the termination notice. The Grants Officer will put a hold on the project in the financial system. The hold will only be lifted upon receipt of a notice from the Federal agency that the award is reinstated.
• Communications: Upon receipt of a grant or contract notification, the Office of Research & Economic Development will notify the Vice President for Marketing & Communications and Adam Kurtz (Strategic Communications Editor; adam.kurtz.1@UND.edu) with information regarding impact. M&C will route a draft communication to Office of the Provost (including Enrollment Management), VPRED, Dean and PI for review before final communication is sent to impacted individuals (faculty, staff, and students).
• Appeal of a Grant Termination: Some termination notices include clauses that allow the PI to appeal. PIs must work with their department and school/college leadership to determine if there is a desire to appeal. If the PI and their department wish to appeal or want more information about an appeal, please contact your Grants Officer in the Division of Research & Economic Development. Although successful appeals appear to be infrequent, the PI can complete a Request to Appeal Termination of a Federal Award form to initiate their request to appeal.

VPRED approval is required to proceed with a grant termination appeal. If UND approves the request to appeal, the PI is responsible for providing the justification, including the impact of the termination on the University, to reconsider the termination, along with any relevant supporting documentation to the Division of Research & Economic Development for transmission to the federal funding agency.

To begin the appeal process, the PI should complete the Request to Appeal Termination of a Federal Award form and receive approval and signature from their dean or department director. Once the PI and dean/director have signed the form, the PI should route the form to Lauren Pite (Director for Grants & Contracts Accounting; lauren.pite@UND.edu) for VPRED review and approval.

In the absence of further guidance from the federal funding agencies involved, PIs should continue their work as planned, unless you have received specific guidance to the contrary from your federal program officer.  In terms of planning for future contingencies, should changes be enacted broadly that would disrupt active research programs on campus, the University will work to provide clear guidance to PIs about next steps and possible avenues for support.

Each case will likely need to be evaluated separately, but we want the campus community to know that we will do what we can—within legal limits and subject to available resources—to make sure faculty can continue to be successful and pursue their research agendas.

Current federal agency guidelines and executive orders related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) reflect shifting priorities at the national level. UND remains in full compliance with these federal and state requirements and continues to closely monitor any updates to ensure ongoing alignment.

Our dedication to providing a respectful, welcoming, and supportive environment for all members of our campus community remains strong. We value the many ways individuals contribute to, participate in, and advance the important work of the University.

At UND, we are committed to treating every student, staff member, and faculty member with dignity, respect, and care. Our responsibilities under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act remain unchanged, and we are always ready to meet individually with students and employees to address specific needs. Students may contact their advisors to arrange these conversations, and a range of support services, spanning from peer networks to resources offered through the University Counseling Center, are also available.

Donna Smith 
AVP Civil Rights & Title IX 
donna.smith@UND.edu 

For questions about community and belonging, please contact:  

Tamba-Kuii Bailey
AVP and Advisor to the President for Community & Belonging 
tambakuii.bailey@UND.edu 

There is no current change to student organizations or employee affinity groups.

UND embraces a culture that welcomes all members of our community and celebrates our different perspectives and experiences.  The University is prepared to meet with students and employees to address specific needs and concerns. Students may reach out to their advisors to schedule these meetings, if needed.   

The health and safety of our campus members is our priority. We need to support one another and take steps toward maintaining our health, both mentally and physically. Information on campus resources available for faculty, staff, and students can be found at SafeUND. 

Additional support services available to students can be accessed both through informal peer support programs and through the University Counseling Center. Employees have access to additional support through the Employee Assistance Program.

No. If you have any concerns about this, please reach out to:  

Peggy Varberg 
Associate Vice President of Human Resources 
margaret.varberg@UND.edu

Yes. There is no federal or state regulation or law prohibiting this. Fostering a sense of belonging is one of our core values and we continue to celebrate the unique ways that we all connect and contribute to the work at UND.

Yes. No current executive order or legislation prohibits this and UND does not have a policy regarding what is required to be included on your campus email signature, name badges, and business cards. However, Marketing & Communications does offer branding guidelines for faculty and staff email signatures, name badges, and business cards. 

Several executive orders signed in 2025, and subsequent changes by federal agencies, are influencing accreditation standards for certain disciplines, particularly in areas previously tied to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Accrediting bodies are actively reviewing these federal directives and assessing their impact on accredited programs. Because detailed guidance from accrediting agencies often follows the issuance of an executive order, official interpretations, or related court decisions, there may be some delay in receiving complete information.

If you have questions about how these changes may affect your program, please reach out to your accrediting body for clarification and support, or UND’s Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation.

Shane Schellpfeffer 
Director of Institutional Effectiveness and Accreditation 
shane.schellpfeffer@UND.edu

SBHE and UND policy protect academic freedom and free speech for students, faculty, and staff. 

Policies 

SBHE 401.1 states a “commitment to ensuring that the institutions of the NDUS shall foster a free and open academic community for faculty members, students, and all other NDUS employees who engage in scholarly work.”  

• The SBHE and UND academic freedom policies are based in the American Association of University Professor’s 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom with 1970 Interpretive Comments
•  SBHE 401.1  
•  SBHE 605.1  
• UND Faculty Handbook, 1.VI  

Related Policies 

• UND Political Activities Policy  
• UND Events, Demonstrations, Fixed Exhibits, and Short-Term Rentals policy  

For UND policy questions, please reach out to: 

Jennifer Rogers 
Director for Policy 
jennifer.rogers@UND.edu 

For SBHE Policy and UND Faculty Handbook Questions , please reach out to: 

Heather Wages 
Director for Policy & Administration 
heather.wages@UND.edu

Yes. UND works closely with our representatives both at the federal and state level to advocate for the university and share the important work that our faculty and staff do to serve the people and communities across North Dakota.

Yes. The university is gathering guidance from peer institutions, academic experts, and higher education advocacy groups such as the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities (APLU), the American Council on Education (ACE) and the Association of American Universities (AAU) which can provide additional resources to better understand policy changes.   

As circumstances develop, UND will continue to assess potential impacts to our campus and provide guidance and next steps to students, staff and faculty as soon as possible. 

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed on July 4, 2025, will have some impact on UND students when it comes to GradPLUS loans, Parent Plus Loans, Federal Pell Grants, and student loan repayment plans. The One-Stop Student Services website is regularly updated with the latest information on available aid programs and details on how these changes may impact students.

 

For questions, please reach out to:  

One-Stop Student Services 
onestop@UND.edu

The University of North Dakota is a public institution and, with the exception of restricted and high security areas, is accessible to the public during normal building hours. This means an expectation of privacy in most non-residential spaces is low. All residence hall areas are considered restricted and are accessible only by designated access.  Authorized University personnel may enter rooms for the purposes of routine inventory, maintenance and repair, or for health or safety inspections.  

 For more information, please visit UND's "Access and Security of Campus Facilities" policy. 

 For questions, please reach out to:

Office of General Counsel
ndyon@nd.gov
stejohnson@nd.gov
701.777.6345

Rodney Clark 
AVP Public Safety and Chief of Police 
rodney.e.clark@UND.edu 

At UND, we deeply value the contributions of our international students, faculty, and staff, and we remain committed to supporting you. We recognize that evolving federal directives can raise questions and concerns, especially around topics such as visas and travel.

We recognize the uncertainty this can create and want you to know that our priority is to keep you informed and supported. While some answers depend on guidance from federal agencies, we are actively monitoring developments, seeking clarity, and sharing updates to impacted groups.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate these changes together. You are an essential part of UND, and we are here to help you thrive both on campus and in our community.

International students and employees whose immigration and visa documents are sponsored by the university can contact the following offices if they have questions about changing federal guidelines and regulations. 

Students

UND International Center 
UND.internationalcenter@UND.edu 

Faculty and Staff 

Heather Wages 
Director for Policy & Administration VPAA 
heather.wages@UND.edu 

If a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Officer or any Federal Law Enforcement Officer comes to campus looking for someone, you should refer the officer(s) to the University Police Department (UPD) while assuring them you are not obstructing their work. The UPD will serve as the liaison with the relevant Federal Agency to assist them in their duties.   

For questions, please reach out to:

Rodney Clark 
AVP Public Safety and Chief of Police 
rodney.e.clark@UND.edu

We encourage U.S. visa holders and permanent residents (green card holders) to use caution at this time. Potential changes in travel restrictions and travel bans, visa procedures and processing, re-entry requirements and other travel-related delays may affect travelers’ ability to return to the U.S. as planned. An inability to re-enter the U.S. may impact employment status or the ability to pursue academic studies.  UND is monitoring the situation closely and encourages individuals with questions to reach out to their immigration contacts.

Employees and students who elect to travel internationally do so at their own risk. If you are traveling internationally for personal reasons, any UND owned property (laptops and electronics) must be left at UND. Employees traveling on UND related business may bring UND equipment but are required to complete the travel registration form and the International Travel Questionnaire which can be found on UND's Export Control webpage.  The travel registration Form and Export Control Questionnaire are required regardless of citizenship status.

Immigration officers at ports of entry may search publicly available information, including your social media and online profiles. They may be able to confiscate and search your electronic devices. Government guidance on what data U.S. border officials can access from personal devices: 

• Border Search of Electronic Devices at Ports of Entry  
• CBP Directive No. 3340-049A: Border Search of Electronic Devices

International students and employees with additional questions can contact the following offices. 

Students 

UND International Center
UND.international.center@UND.edu 

Faculty and Staff 

Heather Wages
Director for Policy & Administration VPAA 
heather.wages@UND.edu

No. UND requires all employees traveling internationally to register their UND-affiliated travel with the institution. Travel registration forms will be reviewed based on the US Department of State Advisories.

INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL SAFETY

Study Abroad programs at UND are not currently impacted by federal regulations. 

Students planning to participate in Study Abroad programs may be affected by the U.S. State Department's temporary pause on processing passport applications with an 'X' gender marker. This may impact those who have already applied and are awaiting issuance, as well as those intending to apply for a passport with an 'X' marker.  

The Study Abroad Office is following NAFSA updates on the current administration and how it may affect study abroad.

International students and employees whose immigration and visa documents are sponsored by the university can contact the following offices. 

Students 

UND International Center 
UND.international.center@UND.edu 

Faculty and Staff 

Heather Wages 
Director for Policy & Administration VPAA 
heather.wages@UND.edu 

For those looking for an outside resource, the National Immigration Law Center is one of the leading advocacy organizations in the U.S. dedicated to advancing and defending the rights and opportunities of immigrants and their family members.