Trump’s order stated it would “return authority over education to the States and local communities,” and the President announced student aid would be shifted to the Small Business Association (SBA), an independent government agency. Closing DOE requires congressional approval. Even if it were to pass, many doubt the possibility of SBA overseeing student aid, especially in the face of staff cuts across federal agencies.

Still, the order has raised significant concern over the implications the order may have for students. However, according to Michelle Roads, the associate vice president of the University’s Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, GVSU has not made any preemptive changes as a result of the federal order.

“We have not heard of anything that will change from the student or parent perspective, and no changes that we know of now to any financial aid amounts,” Rhodes said. 

Many students at GVSU heavily rely on Federal Student Aid to pay for their education. Sophomore Regina Lavalle is one student who relies on government aid. She explained that neither she nor her parents can pay the full cost of tuition, especially since her little brother is also starting college. Lavalle expressed worry and frustration over the current situation. 

“If there are huge changes I am not sure I will be able to continue my education,” Lavalle said. “I rely on loans and grants to pay my tuition and am not sure I will be able to pay without them. Even if the amount just lessens, that may affect me.”

Another sophomore, Sara Duffiney, also relies on federal loans to pay for her education. For her, any large changes to financial aid would mean taking out even more private loans. This has led Duffiney to feel uncertain over what her educational journey will look like over the next few years.

“I’m not really sure what I would do if I did not receive federal loans,” Duffiney said. “My only plan as of right now involves cutting out parts of my payment to Grand Valley in the next few semesters to reduce my overall bill. Some of these (cuts) include not getting a meal plan, living off campus and not purchasing a campus parking pass.”

Rhodes said students would be notified, should any updates to financial aid occur. She concluded the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is available to answer questions from students about FAFSA and Financial Aid. In the meantime, students can visit their webpage for clarity about FASFA. 

The Saturday, April 5 demonstration was part of a national day of action entitled “Hands Off!” Shortly before the rally got underway, a community organizer was taken into custody by Grand Rapids police officers who had a warrant out for their arrest.

Over 1,000 events were planned en-masse across the country, with the Grand Rapids rally organized by Indivisible Greater Grand Rapids, which is part of a national organization that advocates progressive politics. Michigan demonstrations were organized in Holland, Big Rapids and Muskegon, among other cities. A Lansing rally also took place at the State Capitol.

The Grand Rapids gathering included speeches, a poetry reading and activists flyering for a variety of community groups. Protesters then took to the city’s sidewalks, chanting, “This is what democracy looks like.”

Before the event began, GRPD officers arrested Emerson Wolfe, the co-chair of Palestine Solidarity Grand Rapids (PSGR). According to Wolfe, they were apprehended for a warrant that was issued after an International Women’s Day march last month. Wolfe helped facilitate the demonstration and claimed the warrant was issued for failing to obey an officer’s order, a misdemeanor. 

According to a GRPD spokesperson, officers did not seek out Wolfe but placed them under arrest after they “approached a sergeant who was meeting with event organizers.”

Wolfe was held in custody at the Kent County Jail for a short period of time, but returned to the gathering following their release. They spoke to the crowd, commenting on their arrest.

“Instead of helping us (safely protest), the Grand Rapids Police Department decided to repress our movement and arrest me as a figurehead,” Wolfe said.

Wolfe encouraged community members to “fight back” by engaging in actions that support immigrants, unions, the transgender community and the Black power movement.

Protesters, including community member Savannah Harrington, also expressed upset over what they feel is a disenfranchisement of rights for transgender and immigrant populations. Harrington was glad to see people taking action in Grand Rapids and across the country, despite what she described as the Trump administration’s attempt to stifle dissent.

“The Trump administration has tried its darndest to incite fear in the general public, making them feel like they’re not allowed to have free speech or protest,” Harrington said. “The fact that people are standing up despite that is reflective of who we are as a society.”

Grand Valley State University student Dorian Fedewa took part in the protest. He has attended previous city demonstrations and feels community members are increasingly compelled to join rallies. 

Fedewa noted the “Hands Off” gathering and similar actions have the ability to foster solidarity in times that many deem “hopeless.”

“That feeling of solidarity helps give people hope and also helps show the leaders of Grand Rapids (and) the police department that we’re not going to put up with repression and oppression,” Fedewa said.

Community member Susie Krupp said she’s felt downhearted by the state of political affairs in the United States. Yet, she voiced her excitement about the nationwide demonstrations and is hoping for “dramatic” political change.

“I really hope and feel like this could be the tide that changes things,” Krupp said.

BHEF is a national nonprofit that unites corporate and higher education leaders to address skills gaps and workforce readiness. Fox’s presentation, which was grounded in national data and years of BHEF research, examined how colleges and universities can better serve students and regional economies by embedding real-world skills, building partnerships and embracing flexible, lifelong learning pathways.

The managing director, a national leader in the education-to-employment strategy, set the mood for the event with a reality check for students and faculty alike.

“We are at a really important moment for higher education,” Fox said. “It’s a critical engine of economic growth, mobility and democratic strength, but we must evolve to meet the moment.”

Fox began by referencing a Georgetown University study showing that a bachelor’s degree typically yields an additional $1.2 million in lifetime earnings. However, she warned that public confidence in higher education is waning, as just 36% of Americans currently express trust in the educational system. Fox believes one major reason for this is employment outcomes.

“If a college degree doesn’t lead to a good job, people start to question the value (of education),” Fox said.

Data from the Strada Education Foundation showed that 52% of graduates are underemployed one year after graduating college, and many remain underemployed even 10 years later. Fox used the GVSU stage to spotlight the mission of BHEF.

“Our business partners tell us they need a different kind of graduate, someone with not just technical ability, but durable skills like adaptability, collaboration, communication and leadership,” Fox said. “These power skills are what drive mobility in a fast-changing economy.”

BHEF is working with institutions nationwide to create interdisciplinary models that embed industry-validated micro-credentials into degree programs. Institutions like the University of Florida and Drake University are leading this work in A.I. literacy and digital proficiency, respectively.

A significant focus of Fox’s talk was on experiential learning.

“Internships, co-ops and project-based learning directly correlate with higher wages, lower underemployment and greater career satisfaction,” Fox said. “But, we’re not offering enough of them.”

According to Fox, each year, 8.2 million students seek internships, but only 2.5 million land high-quality opportunities. Another 4.6 million miss out completely– especially students of color and those from lower-income backgrounds.

“We need more flexible, diverse models,” Fox said, citing examples like Arizona State University’s Work+ program and Northeastern University’s Experiential Network. “It’s not just about offering internships, it’s about structuring them equitably and intentionally.”

After the presentation, Mantella joined Fox for a Q&A session centered on how GVSU can lead regional efforts to offer students more than just a degree by providing them with the skills, experiences and connections needed to succeed after graduation.

Mantella asked Fox about less transactional, more holistic business partnerships.

“It starts with shared goals and clarity about the problem you’re solving together,” responded Fox. “Whether it’s a talent shortage or regional growth, there must be alignment and trust between education and business leaders.”

Mantella, highlighted the University’s ongoing efforts to reach 100% experiential learning participation, questioning Fox for any advice she might have for GVSU to be on the cutting edge.

“You already have the ingredients, (which are) agility, regional connection and a diverse industry base,” Fox said. “I’d challenge GVSU to design backward from the jobs of the future. Embed skills across majors, lean into interdisciplinary work and maintain real-time dialogue with your business partners.”

Fox also explored how higher education must adapt to a new generation of learners– those who are delaying college, working full time and seeking alternative credentials.

“Education is no longer linear,” Fox said. “We need to provide flexible, stackable credentials so students can work and return with momentum.”

For attendees, which ranged from faculty to local business leaders, the President Forum’s message was clear: education and industry must build new bridges if they want to prepare students for a fast-evolving world.

The event commemorated over 50 years of global feminist theory and progress. Speakers facilitated a variety of seminars discussing gender politics of the United Nations, intersectional feminism, reproductive rights, economic disparities and international women’s suffrage. 

Thursday’s first keynote speaker was Jallicia Jolly, a writer, poet, reproductive justice organizer and professor of American studies and Black studies at Amherst College. Jolly gave a presentation titled “Black Feminist Futures: Care, Community and Transnational Reproductive Justice.” Later that afternoon, Jocelyn Olcott, a professor at Duke University, facilitated a talk on the 1975 International Women’s Year Conference in Mexico City hosted by the United Nations. Olcott discussed the conference’s integral role in feminist advocacy worldwide.

On Friday, Carmen Diana Deere continued the conversation regarding the International Women’s Year Conference. She is a professor of Latin American Studies and Food & Resource Economics at the University of Florida, and is also a distinguished professor in Quito, Ecuador. Deere’s research has focused on gender in Latin American agriculture, women’s property rights and wealth inequality.

“You can’t look at women’s issues without considering class and dependency,” Deere said. “Feminism didn’t enter my consciousness at all until the 1970s. I never had a female professor, and was in a sorority where the norm was (to) get engaged by senior year. I was an odd duck to get my (master’s degree) and go to Latin America.”

Directly following Deere’s presentation, Heather Switzer spoke on “Girls in Development: Discovering Girls, Producing Girl Effects.” The seminar delved into ‘the girl child’ phenomenon and the vulnerabilities of violence, malnourishment and infanticide against young girls on a global scale.

“(Asking) Africa as a whole, and girls in particular, to create their own salvation under ongoing conditions of externally imposed austerity (is) like asking a caged mouse to scramble to freedom,” Switzer said. “No matter how active (a person is), (they are) still confined in a cage.”

Also on Friday morning, Durba Mitra discussed feminism in the Global South and the paradox surrounding the United Nations’ Year and Decade for Women. Mitra is an associate professor of women, gender and sexuality studies at Harvard University, and brought attention to the integral nuances of the global feminist conversation.

During Friday’s afternoon sessions, Anna Gollub, the policy analyst of economic institutions within the Economic Empowerment section of UN Women, spoke on “Becoming UN Women.” To conclude the conference, a seminar titled “Feminism Remains Foreign: Ideals vs Practice for Gender Justice” was given by Kavita Ramdas, a senior strategic advisor at International Planned Parenthood. Ramdas is globally recognized for her advocacy in global gender equity, and from 2023-2024, was the activist in residence at the Global Fund for Women. The talk reflected on the various lessons Ramdas learned during her residence and why feminism, as an ideology and aspirational set of ideals and values, remains unintegrated in policies both at home and abroad.

The symposium wrapped up on a hopeful note, and reiterated how the women’s liberation movement has developed throughout history and around the globe.

The pay equity seminar was hosted by Meagan Treadway, Katie Perschbacher and Trista Shumway, all active members on the University’s Women’s Commission Leadership Team. The event featured a discussion-based presentation given by women professionals from a variety of fields. In turn, students in attendance were able to ask questions regarding the wage gap’s history, and provide insight into their own employment experiences.

This year, Equal Pay Day will take place on March 25. The date was first observed by the National Committee on Pay Equity (NCPE) in 1996, and is still recognized to spread awareness and teach about injustice regarding fair and equal wages.

Shannon Dale, the senior director of Annual Giving and Digital Strategies at GVSU, was at the seminar. Dale stated that she’s very passionate about pay equity and attended the event in order to further educate herself.

“I’ve done a lot of personal work to do better at negotiating (pay), and I want to learn how to better do that for myself and my team (faculty and staff at the University),” Dale said.

The seminar emphasized the importance of collaboration between workers of varying demographics. Intersectionality, a sociological, analytical framework, was brought up by Jessie Fousset, the student services coordinator for the University’s Traverse City Regional Center.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, intersectionality is defined as the “interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.”

Fousset noted that society’s understanding of pay equity has grown over time to comprise various ethnic and gender identities.

“It quickly became clear to me that it (the pay gap) wasn’t just ‘women (being) being paid less, it was a layer of women from certain backgrounds (compared to) Black and Asian women,” Fousset said. “All of these pay gaps are also split even between men. The concept of intersectionality, including different genders and gender identities, (is important) as well.”

According to the presentation, Latina and Indigenous women are paid 58 cents for every dollar paid to white men. For Black women, this statistic is 66 cents for every dollar, and for Asian women, it is 94 cents. In addition, mothers are paid 71 cents for every dollar that fathers are compensated.

“It’s (the conversation regarding pay equity) changed over time because we’re more aware of how the pay gap is hurting basically everyone who is not a white, able-bodied male,” Treadway said. “This gap is persistent across age and education levels as well. In some cases, it (the gap) worsens as age increases. If you’re not earning in your earlier years, it (pay) snowballs.”

Treadway declared the state of Michigan is rated moderately in terms of equal pay laws. According to Treadway, this rating is in connection with the state’s legal protections, defense rights and procedures relating to occupational segregation. The presentation noted that Michigan is ranked 29th nationally in terms of pay equity, and that the state has a gender pay ratio of 81.68%. Locally, in Grand Rapids, that number is 77%.

Shannon Owen, the director of the University’s Northern Michigan Programs, recommended participants find ways to become more involved in pay equity advocacy. She cited her previous experience in Zonta International, a service organization that aims to “build a better world for women and girls.”

“There’s always more to learn on this topic,” said Owen. “I was involved with our local Zonta group, and we did a lot of raising awareness with this issue (the pay gap) and hosted events. I am excited to be a part of the conversation here.”

Community leaders from across America urged the public not to buy from major retailers like Walmart, Target and Amazon as part of the boycott. Protesters attempted to showcase the power of the consumer against “corporate greed” and companies in alignment with President Donald Trump’s efforts to terminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. If protesters did have to spend, they were encouraged to use cash and support only small, locally owned businesses. Professors in Grand Valley State University’s Department of Economics deemed the boycott only slightly successful. 

USAToday tracked the boycott’s origination and its influence on companies across the United States. Despite the inconclusive data due to the narrow time frame, there was a slight impact on Feb. 28’s market. Data collected from digital marketing intelligence company Similarweb showed that overall online traffic from the top 100 e-commerce sites dropped 4% on Feb. 28 when compared to the previous Friday, Feb. 21. Data from marketing intelligence firm Placer.ai found foot traffic in-store at Walmart locations to have dropped 6.3% when compared to the previous five Fridays. Placer.ai data also showed Target’s foot traffic in-store dropped 10.7% compared to the previous five Fridays.

Daniel Giedeman, an economics professor at GVSU, said the protest was unlikely to have much impact since participating consumers likely switched the timing of their purchases to Feb. 27 or March 1. Giedeman said he also expected there to have been at least some consumers who deliberately chose to spend money on Feb. 28 because they did not agree with the protest. 

“The only way that a protest like this could really work is if consumers were willing to change their spending patterns for a much longer period of time or to permanently switch their spending toward small businesses (or businesses that were more aligned with consumers’ values),” Giedeman said. 

While short-term boycotts and protests usually don’t have the momentum or impact to make a lasting difference, they are a step in the right direction. Giedeman said similar protests, like not purchasing gasoline on certain days in an attempt to lower gas prices, are rarely successful. However, when customers collectively target where they spend their money or what businesses they support for a sustained amount of time, the effects can be much bigger.

“Such protests would work if large groups of consumers targeted their boycotts against specific goods or companies, and were prepared to maintain these boycotts indefinitely,” Giedeman said. “Given the one-day nature of the (Black Out Friday) protest, there were no meaningful impacts on corporate profits or stock market prices.”

Christopher John Cruz, an associate professor in the Economics Department, agreed with Giedeman’s conclusion. Cruz reiterated that a one-day spending freeze would not be successful; if protesters want to create a larger impact, then boycotts have to be on a more sustained basis.  

“An alternative strategy for these protesters is (to) totally switch (the) stores where they shop,” Cruz said. “For instance, there are reports of some consumers cancelling their Amazon membership,” Cruz said. “With the DEI rollback from Walmart, perhaps some consumers might strictly prefer Costco (to) Sam’s Club, (which is owned by Walmart).”

Cruz recommends that anyone interested in participating in a boycott research the businesses they frequent. If a company’s values do not align with personal views, then an alternative can be found. According to Cruz, while that alternative isn’t always a local business, they can often be a better option than chain retailers.

“Not all local businesses share the views of these protesters,” Cruz said. “In fact, some of them might have voted against the very principles and programs these protesters are fighting for.” 

While the Black Out Friday protest had only minimal effects on the market, the boycott could potentially inspire consumers to further consider their morals and ethics when shopping.

“If a sizeable number of consumers switch to local retailers, including small businesses, (that) they believe are doing business that is more aligned with their morals and principles, then the impact might be more meaningful,” Cruz said.

Pay adjustments for Michigan employees have sparked disputes among lawmakers and questions from state residents. As legislative ground for the future of Michigan’s minimum wage continues to shake, employers within Grand Valley State University prepare to acclimate to the new requirements.

A 2024 decision by Michigan government officials raised the minimum wage from $10.33 to $10.56 on Jan. 1, 2025. The Feb. 21 increase is set to add another $1.92 per hour.

These changes fall in line with the Michigan Supreme Court’s efforts toward ‘tip credit’ erasure. The minimum wage for tipped individuals is also set to increase to $5.99 an hour on Feb. 21. The corresponding changes to tipped employees’ base pay is set to incrementally increase until workers eventually receive base pay at the rate of minimum wage after 2030.

Both initiatives have stirred controversy from politicians and lawmakers, which prompted Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to call for a prompt bipartisan solution or continue to push the plan’s rollout into the summer.

The Michigan Senate also just moved forward with a bill that aims to implement a minimum wage of $15.00 per hour by 2027, which awaits House approval.

An additional policy change referred to as the Earned Sick Time Act was decided upon over summer 2024, and will also roll out on Feb. 21. The legislation details new benefits that could accommodate low income workers by mandating a certain amount of paid sick leave based on the number of people employed by a business.

According to an article published by Michigan Advance, Michigan businesses would be required to give employees 40 hours of paid sick leave and 32 hours of unpaid sick leave in one year if an employer has fewer than 10 workers.

If an employer has 10 or more employees, the business would have to give employees 72 hours of paid sick leave.

The Michigan House and Senate have both individually proposed alternative legislation to trim back these changes. The act faces pressure, as it’s expected to take effect in a matter of days.

At GVSU, most hourly positions on campus will be affected by the wage increase. The average wage rate for student employees ranged from $10.56 to $12.01 during the Fall 2024 semester. The University’s pay scale is set to implement the mandated raise in minimum wage once it’s been enacted.

GVSU Mary Idema Pew Library employees Miranda Willer and Julianne Solack have both been student employees for multiple years. Despite feeling positive about the minimum wage boost, both Willer and Solack identified additional pressing issues in campus employment they feel should be addressed.

“It’s important that (the government) protects having a minimum (wage), but (on campus, we need) more jobs (and) more hours,” Solack said.

Willer took a broader perspective on the benefits of increased wages. They said the raise will benefit not only Michigan students, but also the international student population, as they “can only work on campus.”

Willer said they feel certain on-campus jobs have fair wages, but that other GVSU workplaces do not.

“Here (at the library), I’ve been pretty happy with (pay),” Willer said. “(However), with campus dining, not at all.”

Solack felt similarly in regard to campus dining employees because “they do more work and get paid less.”

“I think (minimum wage) should continue to rise,” Solack said.  “Especially if you’re there (at a certain workplace) for more time, I think you should get raises not just based on performance, (but the hours spent) working there.”

Tatum Nichols is a student employee in the University’s Student Employment Office. Nichols finds the minimum wage increase to be a generous step in the right direction.

“Do I think that (the increase is) enough for students to live off of and pay rent and everything for school? Not necessarily,” Nichols stated. “But, I do think we’re getting to a point where people are starting to recognize that students do need to be paid more to survive.”

To Nichols’ point, research shows lower income households within the Midwest particularly suffer as a result of America’s economic crisis. The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) named the Midwest a “particularly unaffordable region.” This highlights the notion that living in Michigan can be expensive for many students.

“On average, Michigan public bachelor’s-granting institutions were less affordable than those nationally, with an average affordability gap of $2,445, compared to $1,690,” noted a NCAN article in December.

Many Michigan government officials acknowledged this gap in some capacity when the Michigan Achievement Scholarship was signed into law.

As a way to further combat financial hardships facing young adults, the scholarship opportunity is a renewable grant for eligible Michigan residents enrolled at public or private institutions. These grants averaged around $4,000 awarded to just under 30,000 students in the state over the 2023-2024 academic year.

The bills relating to tipped workers and sick leave await approval from the House floor before they can go into effect. Many Michigan workers do not feel confident regarding statewide policy development, especially since lawmakers have already passed bills to slow the wage increase. With the Michigan Supreme Court’s legislation almost in motion, the Feb. 21 rollout looms large.

The West Michigan Health Economic Forecast was held at the DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health on GVSU’s Pew Campus. The event was hosted by the University’s Kirkhof College of Nursing and the Seidman College of Business, and was sponsored by major healthcare companies, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Care Network and Priority Health.

Kirby and Montanera identified a unique correlation between the rising number of healthcare workers and the number of patient admissions in Grand Rapids compared to state and national averages. Their work also revealed that students seeking healthcare-related degrees have increased despite a nationwide drop in higher education enrollment. Although the causes of these anomalies are not yet known, the researchers were able to collect valuable data on certain trends occurring in West Michigan and consider optimistic outcomes.

Specifically, Montanera and Kirby’s research found stark discrepancies between the rate of patient admissions in contrast to the rate of hospital and healthcare personnel. In 2022, Grand Rapids had a record low of 80.65 patient admissions per 1,000 resident doctors. In similar-sized cities, the admission rate was 105.82 patients per 1,000 residents. Another discrepancy noted by the researchers was that outpatient hospital visits in Grand Rapids and Muskegon decreased by 13%, while national rates remained static.

The researchers also looked into college enrollment rates. Despite a national decrease in college enrollment, Montanera and Kirby’s research showed a 2% increase in college students seeking healthcare-related degrees in West Michigan. In 2023, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center found that Michigan colleges and universities had enrollment drops that were four times steeper than the national average.

“When we turn to the future, we find that more students are enrolling in health-related degrees, even though university enrollment is declining,” Kirby said. “That’s (rise in health-related degree enrollment) promising for the future of healthcare.”

Further findings from Montanera and Kirby’s report showed certain ailments are rising in West Michigan, such as high cholesterol, coronary heart disease, stroke, lifetime asthma, cancer and depression. Additionally, Michiganders 85 and older are the fastest-growing age group in the state, which has contributed to a higher demand for healthcare services.

Despite an increased strain on hospitals, Kirby said their research showed healthcare employment, job openings and inflation-adjusted earnings are on the rise in the region. This indicates there is more motivation to seek occupations in healthcare, as evidenced by the increasing number of students pursuing healthcare degrees.

Kirby said the reason he chose to research health in West Michigan is because his findings have the capability to directly impact the people around him and the place where he lives. Kirby said that further research is needed to determine the root causes of these anomalies.

“There is always a need for more research,” Kirby said. “To stay ahead of the curve, we must continue monitoring community health and anticipate what’s coming next.”

Trump’s push to freeze aid would mean that any program federally funded, excluding health insurance, social security and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, would not receive funding. Matthew Vaeth, the acting director of the government’s Office of Management and Budget, wrote in an official memo, “The use of Federal resources to advance Marxist equality, transgenderism, and green new deal social engineering policies is a water of taxpayer dollars that does not improve the day-to-day lives of those we serve” 

Despite the freeze being paused, Grand Valley State University did not waste any time ensuring students that, at the time, they would be unaffected by Trump’s action. An email, which was signed by the University’s Vice President of the Division of Enrollment Development & Educational Outreach, B. Donta Truss, stated GVSU was carefully monitoring actions from federal officials. The email also confirmed that Pell Grants and other federal student aid loans would not be impacted by any administrative order or memo.

Chris Knape, the assistant vice president of University Communications also explained that as time goes on, the University will continue to keep the campus community informed.

Although the funding freeze would not have impacted students’ aid, many GVSU community members are concerned about possible changes to financial aid that could take place in the future.

“My heart dropped when I saw the news about the freeze,” said GVSU student Lily Schinbeckler.“If the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is taken away, I will not be able to finish my degree. That (not getting a degree) would leave me much less well off than if I were to get a proper education, which is a poverty sentence in this economy. I feel uncertain about the future.”

Some GVSU students were not surprised by the Trump administration’s initial action to freeze federal funding.

 “When I first saw the news, I was kind of shocked, but not surprised, considering Trump was hinting for a while (at) stopping social welfare programs,” said GVSU student Matteo Lambardi di San Miniato. “It definitely makes me more anxious though for the future, as I am very lucky in the sense that (I have) a family who currently pays only around $1,000 or $2,000 per year because of (a) very generous grant offer.”

According to Inside Higher Ed, the Trump administration is also already preparing its next executive order, which will begin the process of dismantling the Department of Education (DOE). However, many are speculating the administration is waiting on Linda McMahon, Trump’s nominee to lead DOE, to be confirmed before moving forward.

If DOE were to be abolished, there would be many changes to how schools are currently funded. According to Michelle Miller-Adams, a former professor at GVSU and political science professor emeritus, DOE is home to three very important programs; the first of which administers Title I funds, which go to schools that serve larger proportions of low-income students.

“It (DOE also) enforces and partially funds special education services for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) of 1975,” Miller-Adams said. “Most relevant for college students, it (DOE) administers the federal student aid system, including Pell Grants and federally subsidized loans.”

Miller-Adams explained that many areas of funding could be transferred over to a different governmental area, but given the Trump administration’s agenda, students will likely see a budget reduction for programs within DOE.

“The U.S. Department of Education is an important provider of education-related data, which is used by researchers and policymakers,” Miller-Adams said. “It’s unclear if data repositories, such as the National Center for Education Statistics, would survive a shutdown of the department. The department is also the chief monitor and enforcer of students’ civil rights, a function that would almost certainly be lost with its closure.”

Trump halted immigration asylum until further notice, shutting down the CBP One app, which allowed immigrants to submit information and organize travel through customs and border control virtually, as well as canceling thousands of appointments and flights that were already scheduled for refugees. However, Trump’s order to end birthright citizenship has been temporarily blocked by a federal judge. 

These orders have major implications for undocumented immigrants in the United States, as well as those seeking asylum from the persecution they may face in their home countries. The growing concerns spurred an active response from Kent and Ottawa County residents.

During Trump’s inauguration, more than 100 activists marched through Grand Rapids in protest of Trump’s immigration orders. The protest was organized by two local immigration advocacy groups, Movimiento Cosecha and GR Rapid Response. 

One member of Movimiento Cosecha, Lester Dominguez, is a student at Grand Valley State University and the son of Mexican immigrants. Dominguez has volunteered with the group since 2020, helping to interpret and translate court testimonies while advocating to instate driver’s licenses for undocumented immigrants. 

“I try to help them share their stories as much as they can because I know sometimes politicians will only read a story of certain facts and base their decisions off of those things,” Dominguez said. “There’s not much empathy or compassion, so I try to open people’s perspective so that they’re more humanistic when they vote on certain laws.” 

Dominguez said he’s already noticed heightened anxiety among the Latinx community, as many are especially concerned about the temporary asylum halt.

“There’s people that are literally escaping death, and you’re (the Trump administration) playing with their lives,” Dominguez said. “People say, ‘Well, it’s not our priority. It’s not something that we should do.’ It doesn’t hurt to be empathetic and care about others. If we’re helping someone to continue to live their lives by offering them asylum, I think we should continue doing that.”

Another group organizing protests, GR Rapid Response, hosts meetings that provide information and training for how to interact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Dominguez noted recent concerns, and remembers the same worry from his childhood growing up in a Latinx neighborhood.

“I learned what to do if ICE came knocking on my door before I learned my times tables,” Dominguez said. 

Jeff Smith, a local activist and a trainer with GR Rapid Response, voiced concern over the impact these orders may have on the agricultural sector and economy of West Michigan.

“The consequences will be tremendous,” Smith said. “After Florida and California, West Michigan has the highest concentration of migrant workers in the country. If (the Trump administration) starts deporting all those people, then who’s going to do that work? How’s that going to impact the economy? How’s that going to impact farmers? How’s that going to impact the cost of food?”

Smith said the precedent of Trump’s immigration orders, as well as recent initiatives such as the Laken Riley Act, will do nothing but heighten fear and drag the agricultural economy. 

“The levels of fear are going to be increased, levels of trauma are going to be increased and then there’s going to be ongoing consequences to the rest of society,” Smith said.

Dominguez is one of many GVSU students who are interested in how the University will respond to Trump’s actions. Assistant Vice President of University Communications Chris Knape said the University will continue to pursue an inclusive environment for all students where “free expression is encouraged and supported.” 

 “GVSU is committed to providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, regardless of their immigration status,” Knape said. “We are listening to students, faculty and staff concerns, and we are also learning about the new (presidential) administration’s policies alongside them.”

In a similar message, the University’s Vice President for People, Equity and Culture, Robert Shorty, addressed the campus community in a statement released on behalf of GVSU’s General Counsel. 

“We understand that these executive actions may cause concern and uncertainty, and we want to assure you that we are closely monitoring developments and will take appropriate actions to comply with applicable law,” Shorty said.

Grand Rapids Public Schools has taken protective initiatives among faculty and staff, calling for vigilance of ICE presence on school property. Dominguez hopes GVSU will take similar measures to protect the immigrant student body.

“If (GVSU) were to comply with ICE, send them information and remove those students, I’d be disheartened because those are our future politicians, future doctors, future lawyers (and) future engineers,” Dominguez said. “Just because you weren’t born in this country doesn’t mean you’re less than somebody else. I would hope that (GVSU) would stand firm and support (immigrant students).”

GR Rapid Response and Movimiento Cosecha will present an argument on Tuesday, Jan. 28 to the Grand Rapids City Commission requesting to become a sanctuary city similar to Chicago. This would limit Grand Rapids’ cooperation with ICE. Notably, Grand Rapids Chief of Police Eric Winstrom stated last week that GRPD “is not in the business of immigration enforcement, period.” However, a memo from the Department of Justice (DOJ) stated that local officials could face federal investigation for non-compliance.

Sanctuary status would help to address turmoil within city organizations caused by the executive action against immigration. As the Trump administration looks to challenge the expanse of immigration policy and initiatives across the country, the West Michigan community anxiously awaits the trickle-down effects.