Dear Members of the University Community,
We want to share information about potential impacts that University operations may see as a result of the government shutdown that went into effect at midnight, October 1. The University’s leadership team has been evaluating the possibility of such an impasse for several weeks but, as has been the case with past shutdowns, the full effect will depend on the duration of the shutdown, negotiations that may take place between members of Congress and the Administration, and how federal agencies develop and implement their contingency plans.
We know that the news of a shutdown can create uncertainty, and as leaders, we are committed to minimizing disruptions as much as possible. All of which means we will need to be patient as the contours of the current situation become clear.
We are working with our Congressional delegation, agency sponsors, and national associations, including the Association of American Universities (AAU), the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), and others, to monitor and assess what the shutdown means for us as an institution and as a community. We will share updates as we learn more about the impacts to our students, researchers, providers, and patients.
The White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued instructions to all federal agencies last week regarding their contingency plans. The plans for each agency will be available on their respective websites.
We are working with our colleagues to prepare guidance for faculty, staff, students, and patients on steps our programs may need to take in response to the shutdown and other steps for moving forward. The Office of Research and Project Administration (ORPA), which provides administrative support for most of the University’s externally funded research, is also sharing information for researchers on its website.
Our hope is that the shutdown can be resolved quickly and in the best interests of our missions and those we serve. While the shutdown is disappointing, we are confident that as a University community, we will demonstrate leadership, collegiality, and patience in serving our missions and in supporting one another.
Sincerely,
Sarah C. Mangelsdorf
President and G. Robert Witmer, Jr. University Professor
David C. Linehan
CEO, UR Medicine, and Dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry
Nicole S. Sampson
Provost and University Professor
Elizabeth (Liz) Milavec
Executive Vice President for Administration and Finance, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer