Members of the UCLA administration warned at a town hall meeting that the university’s funding could be threatened.

Mary Osako, UCLA’s vice chancellor for strategic communications, moderated the Feb. 27 virtual meeting. Several administrators answered live and presubmitted questions.

UCLA held the town hall in response to several recent federal government actions, including cuts to research funding; federal executive orders barring diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives; and new immigration enforcement directives.

UCLA receives over $1.1 billion out of its roughly $11 billion annual budget in both direct and indirect funding from the federal government per year through grants and contracts, said Stephen Agostini, the university’s vice chancellor and chief financial officer.

“All of these funds are unfortunately at risk as the new administration considers how it pushes to proceed with its own budget making,” he said.

Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost Darnell Hunt said UCLA is participating in legal action with other UC schools to block executive orders that threaten federal funding. Hunt added that the UC has issued statements in support of California Attorney General Rob Bonta’s lawsuit against proposed cuts to the FDA and National Institutes of Health.

“We’re the strongest public university system in the world, and we made the decision to act in unison with any actions we take on this front,” he added.

Associate Vice Chancellor of Government and Community Relations Jennifer Poulakidas said the state government would likely not be able to make up for a reduction in federal research funding. California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year would decrease the UC’s budget by over $270 million.

[Related: UC faces over $270M in proposed budget cuts, threatening personnel and programs]

UCLA has over 5,000 faculty members and over 6,000 active research projects on campus, according to UCLA Newsroom. President Donald Trump’s administration tried to impose a 15% cap on indirect overhead costs for research funded by NIH grants, but a federal judge temporarily blocked the order.

Roger Wakimoto, the vice chancellor for research, said that under the cap, UCLA could lose up to $100 million in funding for research. He added that while his office was able to previously provide financial support during difficult times, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, their assistance could not “come close” to covering research under the proposed cuts.

Participants also raised questions regarding the maintenance of DEI-related clubs, programs and research.

Interim Vice Provost for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Mitchell Chang said many federal policies targeting DEI have been challenged in federal courts and noted that largely, these legal efforts have been successful. Recently, a federal judge temporarily blocked the U.S. Department of Labor from terminating grants or contracts with organizations that promote DEI, according to the Associated Press.

“We know that some of these orders and directives do not have the force of the law and trust that the legal precedent will eventually clarify the path forward,” Chang said.

As participants expressed worries regarding the fates of identity-based graduations, living learning communities and scholarships intended for minority groups, Chang added that the university currently plans to maintain those services and communities but with adjustments made depending on court rulings.

Many participants also raised concerns regarding undocumented students at UCLA. In the event that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers enter campus, students should comply but obtain information regarding the encounter, said Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Development and Health Suzanne Seplow.

“If these encounters would occur, you should request the official’s name identification number and agency affiliation, and try to get as much information as you can,” she said.

Seplow added that ICE officers will be referred to campus counsel and that “Know Your Rights” cards are distributed at several locations on UCLA’s campus.

Seplow said other resources are also available for immigrants facing “dehumanizing rhetoric,” adding that UCLA Counseling and Psychological Services has an international student support team and an undocumented student support team.

The UCLA town hall leadership team urged attendees to share personal stories with legislators about how UCLA has positively benefited them and how the recent federal policies would negatively affect the community.

“No matter what, UCLA will still pursue our critical teaching, research and public service,” Hunt said. “We’ll remain committed to academic freedom, to open expression, to freedom of inquiry and to the pursuit of knowledge and truth, and we’ll maintain our commitment to inclusive excellence.”