Email Communication to Students Monday, Feb 24, 2025 at 3:05 PM

Subject: Understanding Federal Government Processes and Actions | PLU Resources

Dear PLU Students,

We are writing to share some important information about support and resources available to you during this time of national change and uncertainty. In particular, we know the recent flurry of federal government policies and actions, including executive orders, has raised questions and concerns for many community members. At Pacific Lutheran University, we remain steadfast in our mission-based commitment to transformative care and to supporting all of our students to learn, engage, contribute to community, and experience well-being, which is fundamental to who we are as an institution rooted in the principles of Lutheran Higher Education.

One way that we are ensuring attention to the flurry of what is occurring external to PLU and that has potential implications for you, our students, is to create a group that is responsible for staying current with federal government communication and to situate PLU’s response through the lens of our mission, university values, legal expertise, and integrity as a community. This group – the Federal Policy Group – meets three times per week to understand and coordinate the university’s responses to federal policy changes. As we assess what each announced change may mean for our campus, we are consulting with our elected federal officials from Washington state, legal counsel, and peer universities to question, interpret, and respond accordingly. The Federal Policy Group includes:

  • Chris Albert, Director of Digital Communications

  • Joanna Gregson, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

  • Nicole Juliano, Director of the Center for DJS

  • Joanna Royce-Davis, Vice President for Student Life

  • Jen Smith, Dean of Inclusive Excellence

  • Amy Young, Chair of the Faculty and Professor of Communications

If you hear nothing about a particular issue, it means there is nothing to communicate – which could mean the issue is still being resolved in the courts or that it is not relevant to PLU (given our location in Washington state, our identity as a private university, or many other reasons). If you don’t hear anything, that also means that we are continuing to offer – and reinforce –  the student-focused resources that are already in place or are expanding them, where needed, to care for groups of students that may be more vulnerable based on what is taking place nationally or in Washington State. Should we find ourselves in a situation that directly impacts our campus policies and practices, appropriate communication will follow.

Additionally, we want to ensure that you do have the support and resources you may need during this time. These resources are not new – they are part of our consistent and unwavering commitment to student success and wellbeing. Our Student Care Network (SCN) provides a singular point of contact for all students to access established PLU care resources; the SCN also partners with families and local agencies as necessary. Whether you (and your family) have been impacted by the layoffs of federal employees, deportation of immigrants, or restrictions on gender-affirming healthcare, or if you’re generally feeling overwhelmed, the Student Care Network can assist you. If you and/or a peer needs care, simply fill out a Care Form (aka Student Care Network Report). If you have any general questions, please reach out to any member of the Federal Policy Group listed above.

In addition to our available resources, we are also meeting the current moment in the way universities are best positioned to do: by teaching and learning in community. This Thursday, you are invited to “Campus Conversation: Understanding Executive Orders” from 4pm to 5 pm in the AUC CK. During this event, a panel of PLU faculty will help us understand and think critically about the recent executive orders from various disciplinary perspectives. They will also assist us in exploring what responses and actions are possible. There will be time for a brief Q&A session, and a LuteCard will be required for attendance. The Federal Policy Group will continue to assess community need for additional events on related topics.

Remember that we are an institution anchored in transformative care. It’s what we do now and what we will continue to do, together, as we navigate the challenges that are presented to us.

 

Sincerely,

Joanna Gregson, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs

Joanna Royce-Davis, Vice President for Student Life