President Paul Alivisatos of the University of Chicago addressed university employees regarding recent executive orders and federal policy changes. In his message, he emphasized the potential negative impacts these changes could have on higher education institutions and academic medical centers.
Alivisatos stated, "Following an election, policy changes are an expected part of our democracy. Yet today, some of these, if implemented, would have far-ranging adverse impacts on institutions of higher education and academic medical centers, including ours."
In response to a sudden reduction in NIH indirect costs announced recently, Alivisatos authorized the university to join other universities and associations in a lawsuit challenging this decision. He expressed concern that this move would harm faculty, students, and staff by limiting their ability to conduct fundamental health-related research.
"For many, indirect costs may conjure images of administrative waste," Alivisatos noted. "But the truth is: this is a mechanism through which federal grants support essentials like state-of-the-art lab facilities and cybersecurity to protect data privacy."
The president assured employees that university leadership is closely monitoring these developments. He highlighted the importance of defending the institution's operations and mission amidst rapid policy changes.
"This is a period of contestation and change," he remarked. "In such a moment it is important to keep our focus on what we treasure in UChicago."
Alivisatos reaffirmed the university's commitment to its core values: creating new knowledge, providing meaningful education, fostering understanding, offering new therapies in healthcare, and maintaining open debate.
"Realizing these values is a constant and good struggle," he said. "Academic freedom and freedom of inquiry and expression are the fundamental principles that make them possible."
He encouraged those with questions to seek information from local leadership within schools and divisions. The university plans to collaborate with other institutions to counter actions threatening its mission.