More than 200 senior career services leaders took part in a March 5 virtual meet up hosted by NACE to discuss effects of the Trump administration’s recent executive orders and “Dear Colleague” letter on the profession.

The discussion focused largely on how campuses are addressing the actions and the effects on campus constituents, including students, staff, faculty, and employers.

Lack of Clarity Spurs Anxiety

Overall, there was consensus that despite the orders, there was little concrete direction on how to address them. In fact, although nearly half noted that their campuses or offices are in the process of making changes, nearly one-third have not made any changes yet. (See Figure 1.) 

In breakout sessions, many participants noted that they have altered or are preparing to alter language on their websites, but have gotten little direction from their leadership beyond that as many schools are unsure about how to address the orders. 

There were some that expressed appreciation for their campus leaders who have been transparent about the lack of direction: In these cases, campus leaders have explained that the orders are not law but need further clarification and reconfirmed the institution’s ongoing commitment to its values and students. 

“We’re being told that we are not changing anything yet,” one participant explained. “We’re pausing.” 

Another stressed that their institution is looking at everything from a legal perspective and waiting for issues to work through the legal system. 

The “wait and see” approach is common to many campuses, which accounts for nearly half saying the changes have had little or no impact on their operations at this point. At the same time, nearly half said they are not sure if they are prepared to make the changes that may be necessary. (See Figures 2 and 3.) 

A number of participants hail from states that had already undergone changes at the state level in relation to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Their concerns are focused on the additional changes, including those related to funding, and the rapidity of the federal changes, which is adding to the confusion.

The uncertainty is a contributing factor to the considerable anxiety expressed by career center leaders: More than 90% reported being anxious over the last month about the changes in the Department of Education’s policies, with nearly 40% saying they felt on edge nearly every day. (See Figure 4.) 

Effects on Students, Staff, and Employers

While they are navigating uncertainty themselves, career center leaders are being asked by staff, students, and employers about how the executive orders will impact them. Working to support students as well as staff was a major theme of the breakout sessions.

At many institutions, funding freezes and threats to funding are creating angst across the board, including among graduate students and those engaged in federally funded research. The threat is also causing some institutions to tighten budgets now in anticipation of funding cuts.

Other participants talked about their institution’s emphasis on federal careers, noting that the cuts to the federal workforce are having a significant impact on both students and faculty. On some campuses, false sightings of immigration officers have raised anxiety levels.

Many have also experienced the effects of the orders on employers, with federal agencies and federal contractors dropping out of career fairs or cancelling planned activities—or simply “going dark,” as one participant characterized the sudden shifts some have made. 

Not surprisingly, when asked about their staff, four out of five described their staff as concerned or very concerned about potential changes. (See Figure 5.) 

Noting that staff and students are struggling and need support, one career center leader said their goal for now is to “be comfortable with being uncomfortable."