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Tracking Trump’s Higher-Ed Agenda

The federal government is reshaping its relationship with the nation’s colleges. Here’s the latest.

By Chronicle Staff

December 4, 2025

President Trump’s administration has swiftly sought to advance major changes across higher education, such as eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts on campuses; punishing individuals and institutions over allegations of antisemitism; and laying off 1,300 employees in the Education Department.

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The Chronicle is tracking executive orders, statements from Trump, and agency actions that affect higher education, plus legal challenges directed at those measures. The tracker focuses on four areas: civil rights, research, policy, and immigration.

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Another university settles with the Trump administration: Northwestern University reached a settlement with the federal government to pay $75 million in exchange for restoring nearly $800 million in research grants. The agreement sets new requirements for the university to respond to student protests, provide antisemitism training, and report data on admissions to the government. See more in Civil Rights.

The Department of Justice sues another state over in-state tuition for undocumented students: The Justice Department filed a lawsuit to block a California law that allows students who do not have legal residency in the United States to pay resident tuition rates at the state’s public colleges. See more in Immigration.

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