Dear colleagues, 

Great urban, public research universities like ours create enduring, transformative opportunities for students to build a thriving future. We advance progress for our nation through discoveries that systematically build a durable foundation of knowledge. And we serve our community through long-lasting relationships and meaningful engagement. Generally stable operating principles, including those from the federal government, fundamentally underpin our important daily work in these areas. 

Like many organizations across the country, Wayne State University has closely followed the rapid, wide-ranging and continually evolving developments over the past several weeks at the federal level, including recent executive orders. The concomitant uncertainty and disruptions from these developments are clear, and yet the ultimate outcomes of many of them, as well as their shorter- and longer-term impacts, are not. 

Understandably, many of you have questions and concerns, and these may change daily – sometimes even within a day. I recognize that such disquiet affects the ability to deliver on our mission and – just as importantly – directly impacts students, faculty and staff in our scholarly community. In this challenging environment, let me be crystal clear: Your well-being and success remain at the center of the priorities of our university leadership team and of everything Wayne State University does. 

University leaders are deeply engaged in evaluating and thoughtfully responding to our changing environment. Ongoing dialogue is taking place at every level of the university – from schools, colleges and divisions to representative-shared governance bodies, amongst academic and executive leaders, and our Board of Governors. We’re synthesizing relevant information pertinent to areas of responsibility provided by a wide array of sources, including national organizations representing higher education, and supplementing our expertise and networks by consulting with excellent advisors in specific category areas. University executive leaders are collaborating with our counterparts at Michigan’s sister R1 universities, coordinating with the relevant state government elected officials, and informing federal and state legislators of likely resulting impacts. 

To share needed information and guidance with campus stakeholders, we are developing and expanding resource pages, FAQs, and other materials. Members of our community will also continue to receive ongoing communication through various mechanisms regarding topical matters from pertinent university leaders. You can find these materials and communications related to the federal transition archived on Today@Wayne, under Campus News > Key Issues > Federal Transition Resources. 

In this time of significant and unpredictable change, our campus and others also have experienced unsubstantiated rumors, deceptive claims or unsettling incidents that can be amplified quickly through social media and other means. The university will always investigate and respond to any credible reports of actions or developments on campus that could impact our community. Should you have questions about anything happening on campus, I encourage you to check in and consult with your leadership.  

In its 157-year history, Wayne State University has successfully charted countless transitions and times of change. We are – and will remain – an engine of opportunity. All are welcome and can succeed here, building meaningful, productive lives for themselves, contributing to the prosperity of their families and communities, and advancing our society. 

I know you have many questions to which I wish I had definitive answers. We will continue to provide up-to-date information as it becomes available. I thank you for your diligent and dedicated work – together, we will navigate these uncertain times and remain steadfast in advancing the mission of our great university to serve our community.  

Sincerely, 

Dr. Kimberly Andrews Espy 
President