Campus Guidance Regarding Recent Federal Directives

  • Key Points and Frequently Asked Questions Related to Federal Law Enforcement Officers (including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)) Coming to Eastern Michigan University Expand dropdown

    Summary of Key Points:

    If you encounter federal law enforcement officers on campus:

    • If officers present you with an arrest or search warrant or ask you for entry into a limited-access area, ask the agent or officer to please wait patiently so that you may contact University authorities to review the warrant and provide assistance. Then, contact the Department of Public Safety (DPS) at 734.487.1222. DPS will immediately contact the University’s Office of Legal Affairs to provide further guidance.
    • Do not proactively obstruct law enforcement activities, and do not attempt to determine on your own whether any particular university space is public, limited-access, or private.
    • You have the right to document the situation, but please maintain a safe distance.
    • You may refer federal law enforcement officers’ questions to the Office of Legal Affairs or DPS.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    • May federal law enforcement officers freely enter EMU’s campus buildings and other University property? Expand dropdown

      If an employee is approached by a federal law enforcement officer seeking entry into a University space, please call DPS at 734.487.1222, and ask the federal officer to please wait while DPS arrives. DPS will contact our Office of Legal Affairs and work with the employee to finalize next steps. Employees may document the encounter from a safe distance and may refer federal law enforcement officers’ questions to the Office of Legal Affairs or DPS. Employees may not, however, obstruct officers’ path or deny entry. Do not interact with federal law enforcement officers unless approached by them.

      As a public university, Eastern Michigan University is largely open to the general public. Federal law enforcement officers may enter areas open to the general public without a warrant (see Q5 below for information about warrants). But public access is controlled in certain areas of our campus. These limited-access spaces include campus buildings in which access is restricted by University-issued ID card, locked doors, and monitored entryways, including University residence halls and apartments, administrative and faculty offices, classrooms, and laboratories. If federal law enforcement agents do not present a criminal warrant signed by a judge, they may not legally access these limited-access spaces without permission. DPS will work with the Office of Legal Affairs to make this determination, and will assist the employee right away. The employee should call DPS immediately, rather than attempting to make this decision themselves.

    • What should employees do if a federal law enforcement officer asks for access to a limited-access area? Expand dropdown
      If a federal law enforcement officer (such as an immigration enforcement officer) asks for access to a limited-access area (see above question), University employees should inform the officer that University policy requires them to consult our Department of Public Safety. Politely ask the officer to wait, and immediately call DPS at 734.487.1222 and notify them of the officer’s presence. DPS will then contact our Office of Legal Affairs and will work with you to finalize next steps.
    • What should employees do if federal enforcement officers wish to enter a public area on campus? Expand dropdown

      If federal enforcement agents approach an employee to ask for access to a public area on campus, please alert DPS at 734.487.1222, and ask the federal officer to please wait while DPS arrives. DPS will then contact our Office of Legal Affairs and will work with the employee to finalize next steps. Employees may not obstruct officers’ path or deny entry, but may document the encounter from a safe distance. Do not interact with federal law enforcement officers unless approached by them.

      Federal law enforcement officers may enter areas open to the general public without a warrant. On our campus, these may include open, common areas of classroom buildings and administrative buildings, parking areas, common areas of the Student Center, and areas that are generally accessible to the public during business hours. DPS will work with the Office of Legal Affairs to determine the rules of entry for each situation, and will assist the employee right away. The employee should call DPS immediately, rather than attempting to make this decision themselves.

      It’s also important to remember that there are several non-enforcement situations in which federal agents may be on campus. For example, due to our international programs, the University is required to report certain information about F-1 or J-1 visa status students to ICE. This reporting is routine, and in order to maintain its status as a visa sponsoring institution, the University is required to comply with on-site visits to review records when requested.

    • What are the rules for private living spaces? Can a person refuse to allow a federal law enforcement officer to enter their private apartment, dorm room, or home? Expand dropdown

      People have a reasonable expectation of privacy in their homes, both on and off campus. Therefore, in most cases it is up to the resident whether to allow a federal enforcement agent into their private home or apartment. If federal officers state that they have a warrant or intent to enter a private living space on campus, and the resident feels uncomfortable opening the door, the resident should stay put, call DPS at 734.487.1222, and ask the federal officer to please wait while DPS arrives. DPS will consult with Legal Affairs and will help to guide next steps. In all cases, individuals have the right to remain silent under the 5th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, and do not need to answer questions, or sign or provide any documents without a lawyer present.

    • What’s the difference between a criminal warrant and an administrative warrant? Expand dropdown

      PLEASE NOTE: DPS will work with the Office of Legal Affairs to determine if a warrant is criminal or administrative, and will assist the employee. Employees should not attempt to make this decision themselves. If approached by a federal law enforcement officer seeking entry into a campus space, please call DPS at 734.487.1222.

      Federal law enforcement officers, including immigration enforcement officers, are usually required to have a signed criminal arrest or search warrant to lawfully enter limited-access, nonpublic areas without consent. Most often, immigration officers who might come to campus would be acting on civil, not criminal, authority, and generally carry administrative warrants. Administrative warrants are not signed by a judge and do not authorize officers to enter limited access areas without consent. 

    • What should employees do if a federal law enforcement officer asks for or presents a subpoena for personally identifiable private information or records about a student or employee? Expand dropdown

      Faculty or staff who receive a request from a federal law enforcement officer for any information about a student should contact DPS at 734.487.1222 for assistance. DPS will immediately consult with the Office of Legal Affairs to provide further guidance. Personally identifiable information is protected by a variety of privacy laws including the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA). As a University employee, you are required to maintain the confidentiality of these records. Ask the officer for their name, identification number, and agency affiliation. Ask for a copy of any warrant or subpoena presented; inform the officer that you are not obstructing their process but need to contact DPS for assistance, per University procedure. Then, call DPS at 734.487.1222 to let them know you’ve received the request, and whether an agent is on campus. 

    • Will University DPS work with federal immigration officers to apprehend and remove individuals from campus based upon their immigration status? Expand dropdown

      Michigan law does not allow DPS to detain anyone based solely on their immigration status, nor will EMU enforce an  administrative (non-criminal) warrant from ICE. DPS may be required to enforce a criminal, judicial warrant from any law enforcement agency, including ICE. Criminal warrants are issued when probable cause exists to believe the named subject in the warrant has committed a crime. In other situations not related to immigration, officers may inquire about an individual’s country of origin to notify their consulate of an arrest, but that inquiry does not include questions about immigration status.

  • Update regarding U.S. Department of Education & student loans/grants (March 21, 2025) Expand dropdown

    Please see the message below from President James Smith:

    Late yesterday, President Trump signed an Executive Order aimed at shutting down the U.S. Department of Education. The White House has not released many details about how this plan may be implemented but, importantly, the White House plan did not include any immediate changes to the various federal student loan programs. 

    This is an important issue for EMU students because 82% of EMU undergraduate students and/or their parents receive loans and/or grants from the federal government through direct student loans, Pell Grants, Work Study, parent PLUS loans, and other initiatives. Moreover, 66% of EMU graduate students receive loans and/or grants from the federal government. Student loans and grants enable EMU students to pursue their degrees, equipping them with the skills needed to contribute to our nation’s economy. After graduating from EMU, they launch new businesses and excel in careers such as cybersecurity, teaching, aviation, nursing, engineering, communications, science, law enforcement, and many other essential fields.

    I wish to emphasize again that yesterday’s announcement from the White House does not impact the availability of federal student loan programs. 

    Also, because the Department of Education was created by an act of Congress, it will require Congressional action to fully shut down. Thus, the status of the department may be uncertain for a while.

    Here are some suggestions for students during this fast-changing time:

    • I encourage students who have not already done so to file their FAFSA to make sure they obtain an appropriate financial aid package.

    • If you have questions about your financial aid, registration for fall semester, or similar issues, please contact Service EMU.

    The University will work with our colleagues in Washington and at other universities around the nation to closely monitor the next steps. As always, we will update the campus community on email and this website. 

    James Smith, Ph.D.
    President, Eastern Michigan University

  • Update: U.S. Department of Education guidance regarding discrimination in higher education (Feb. 19, 2025) Expand dropdown

    To all employees,

    As you likely know, the new Presidential administration has issued a series of Executive Orders, directives, and other communications directing universities across the country to undertake a variety of reviews and actions. The process has been complex and created confusion about required actions at universities throughout the United States.

    Most recently, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) issued a “Dear Colleague” letter (the “Letter”) that contains wide-ranging guidance intended to end the use of race, color, or ethnic origin in programs, scholarships, and hiring at the nation’s universities. Universities are directed to comply with the Letter within 14 days or risk losing federal funding.

    Employees may understandably have questions about how the Letter might impact specific programs in their offices, or EMU in general. There is much uncertainty because the Letter leaves many unanswered questions and advises that there will be further guidance in coming months.

    In the meantime:

    • Lauren London, Leigh Greden, and Dwight Hamilton are coordinating the University’s review of the Letter and its possible impact on our campus. You may hear from them in the coming days with requests for information and assistance.
    • If you have questions about how this Letter may impact a specific program in your area, please email Lauren ([email protected]), Leigh ([email protected]), and Dwight ([email protected]). They will review your questions and respond as soon as possible. Employees should CC their supervisor on emails to Lauren, Leigh, and Dwight.
    • Please do not immediately change websites or programs in your area in response to the Letter. The University’s goal is to carefully examine all programs and implement a coordinated response that complies with the law.

    We understand that this is a chaotic time. Please know that we are here to support employees and students and provide information and resources to assist you in navigating these changes. To that end, we intend to provide periodic email updates as well as updates to this website.

    We value Eastern Michigan University’s vibrant and student-centered campus environment. We remain committed to creating a community that supports students and employees, and welcomes people from differing backgrounds and perspectives. We will not waver in our commitment that “All Are Welcome Here.”

    James Smith, Ph.D.
    President

    Rhonda Longworth, Ph.D.
    Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

  • Reduction of Indirect Cost (IDC) funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Expand dropdown

    On February 7, 2025, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced that Indirect Cost (IDC) funding to universities receiving NIH grants would be capped at 15% effective immediately. These rates have, until now, been negotiated individually by universities. On February 10, 2025, a federal judge in Massachusetts halted this rate cut nationwide. A court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 21, 2025, at which several states, universities, and health systems will seek an injunction to halt the funding caps indefinitely. EMU is one of many universities that receive NIH grants, including IDC funding. The NIH’s decision would, if implemented, therefore result in an immediate loss of funding for EMU. 


    It is unclear at this time whether the federal government will impose similar reductions in IDC funding at other federal agencies. If so, the impact on EMU might be greater because NIH funding constitutes a relatively small portion of EMU’s federal funding.


    In the meantime, here is guidance for employees:

    • Individuals who manage grant-funded projects should continue their work within the available budget and guidelines.

    • Employees should monitor their email for updates on possible next steps from the University’s Office of Research Development & Administration (ORDA), Office of Grants Accounting, and especially from their program officer.

    • If principal investigators/program managers receive written updates about grant funding or directives from an external grant funding agency, they should immediately share that notice with Scott Teasdale ([email protected]), Director of ORDA.

  • Responding to federal law enforcement on campus  Expand dropdown

    Recent legislative actions and executive orders issued by the incoming White House administration have raised questions about how members of the campus community should respond if a federal law enforcement officer visits campus and requests information or access to campus space.

    If a federal law enforcement officer (such as an immigration enforcement officer) asks for access to campus space, presents a subpoena, or asks for information about an EMU student or employee, University employees should inform the officer that University employees are required to consult our Department of Public Safety. University employees should ask the officer for their name, identification number, agency affiliation and, if applicable, a copy of the subpoena. Ask the officer to wait. You should then call DPS at 734.487.1222 and notify them of the officer’s presence. DPS will then contact the University's Office of Legal Affairs and will work with you to finalize next steps.

  • Office of Management and Budget Directive Regarding Federally Funded Programs  Expand dropdown

    The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued a directive on Monday, January 27, that paused significant amounts of federal spending. The OMB rescinded that directive on Wednesday, January 29. We nonetheless expect this issue will require future attention. In the meantime, individuals who manage grant-funded projects should continue their work within the available budget. Employees should monitor their email for updates on possible next steps from the University’s Office of Research Development & Administration (ORDA), Office of Grants Accounting, and your program officer. 

  • Eastern Michigan University resources in light of recent federal government actions (message to students, Feb.19, 2025) Expand dropdown

    Dear EMU students,

    We recognize that recent changes at the national level have created uncertainty for students at universities, including Eastern Michigan University. Please know that we are here to support students, listen to your concerns, and provide information and resources to assist you in navigating these changes. We remain committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where you can continue to thrive academically and personally.

    Some of the recent Presidential Executive Orders, directives, and proposed actions are creating confusion and uncertainty. Specific answers to your questions may not be immediately available because the administration has not provided full details regarding many of its actions and some are being challenged in court. But like universities across the country, we will continue to gather additional information, and consult with peers and other organizations to help us share information and assess the impact of these actions on our campus.

    We have developed an informational webpage to address some of the specific questions you may have related to possible actions by federal law enforcement officers and federal funding for grants and other projects. We will update this website as new information becomes available so you can return there for updates. We will also share additional guidance through campus emails.

    In the meantime, the most important thing we can do is carry on by supporting and respecting one another, pursuing excellence in the classroom, and engaging in personally rewarding activities that help lead to future careers and goals beyond your graduation.

    We are proud to provide a broad range of resources across campus that may help. If you need support with these or other matters, please contact the Dean of Students office or, if emotional support is appropriate, contact Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).

    We value Eastern Michigan University’s vibrant and student-centered campus environment. We remain committed to creating a community that supports students and employees, and welcomes people from differing backgrounds and perspectives. We will not waver in our commitment that "All Are Welcome Here."

    James Smith, Ph.D.
    President

    Rhonda Longworth, Ph.D.
    Provost, Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

  • Jan. 29, 2025: Message to EMU employees from President Smith and Provost Longworth: Eastern Michigan University resources and protocols in light of recent executive actions

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    The Trump administration recently issued a series of orders that could potentially impact the EMU community. We know that unexpected change can create confusion and anxiety. Because the White House has not provided full details regarding these actions, specific answers to all questions may not be available at this time. We are, like universities across the country, gathering additional information from peers and other organizations to help us assess the impact of these actions.

    We have developed an informational webpage that addresses some of the specific questions you may have related to possible actions by federal law enforcement officers and federal funding for grants and other projects. We will update this website and share information through campus email as we receive additional information.  

    In the meantime, during these moments of uncertainty, the most important thing we can do right now is to focus on serving our students and each other and carrying on with our important programming. If you have specific questions regarding how a federal order may impact your work, please email [email protected].

    We value Eastern Michigan University’s vibrant and student-centered campus environment and remain committed to creating a community that supports our students and employees, and welcomes people from differing backgrounds and perspectives. We will not waver in our commitment that, “All Are Welcome Here.” 

    James Smith, Ph.D.
    President

    Rhonda Longworth, Ph.D.
    Provost, Executive Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs

This page will be updated as events warrant. Last updated on April 7, 2025.