University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin issued a sharp rebuke of recent federal actions under the Trump administration in an end-of-semester letter to faculty and staff on Tuesday.
In her letter to the UW-Madison community, Mnookin expressed alarm over federal policies that she said “go beyond financial risk to the heart of our mission, including calling into question our values and even who belongs on our campus.” She pointed to a series of actions by the Trump administration, including visa terminations for international students, proposed cuts to biomedical research funding, and federal investigations into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs on campuses.
The Trump administration has taken several steps that have directly impacted universities across the country. Since early 2025, the administration has revoked visas for at least 27 international students and alumni across the University of Wisconsin System, including 13 at UW-Madison.
Mnookin also addressed proposed cuts to biomedical research funding, which have sparked significant concern in Wisconsin. A study cited in her letter estimated that the proposed reduction in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants to a 15% indirect cost rate—down from the 50% or more most institutions receive—would result in a $254 million economic loss and nearly 1,100 jobs in the state. The university has joined a 22-state lawsuit against the NIH proposal, which Mnookin referenced in her letter, noting that a judge has blocked the plan, though the Trump administration has appealed the decision.
The chancellor’s letter also touched on federal investigations into DEI programs and antisemitism on campus, which she says have placed additional pressure on universities. The Trump administration has pursued these inquiries as part of a broader effort to scrutinize higher education institutions, a move that has drawn criticism from academic leaders across several institutions. Mnookin wrote, “We will continue to advocate for the values that make UW–Madison a remarkable institution—a place where people of all backgrounds can learn and thrive, where free expression flourishes, and where the pursuit of knowledge benefits our state, nation, and world.”
In 2024, Wisconsin Republicans withheld funding for university employee pay raises until the UW Board of Regents agreed to reclassify dozens of DEI positions and freeze hiring for such roles for three years. Additionally, the Wisconsin Legislature is currently considering the 2025-27 state budget, which includes an audit of DEI-related spending by state agencies and the Universities of Wisconsin, further complicating the financial landscape for the system.
Mnookin’s letter also acknowledged the uncertainty facing the university as it navigates these challenges. She wrote, “I am committed to keeping you informed as we learn more, and to fiercely defending our community and the principles that guide us.”
As the Trump administration continues its appeal of the stalled NIH funding cuts and pursues its broader agenda, the outcome of these federal actions and lawsuits will likely have lasting implications for UW-Madison and other universities across the country. For now, Mnookin and her peers remain firm in their opposition, advocating for the autonomy of their institutions.
How this very public opposition to the Trump Administration will impact the UW’s fate in the state budget now being crafted by Republican legislators in Madison, is uncertain.
April 22, 2025 – Last Updated 6:01 pm
