[WSSSC] FW: SBCTC update on federal funding and DEI court ruling

[Jamie Traugott]

WSSSC,
Please see below-


[cid:image004.jpg at 01DB9971.CC3E7100]Jamie Traugott
Director of Student Services and K12 Alignment
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
jtraugott at sbctc.edu<mailto:jtraugott at sbctc.edu> * o: 360-704-3929
sbctc.edu<https://www.sbctc.edu/> * Facebook: @WASBCTC<https://www.facebook.com/wasbctc/> *
LinkedIn: @washington-state-board-for-community-and-technical-colleges<https://www.linkedin.com/company/washington-state-board-for-community-and-technical-colleges>

From: Marianna Watson <mwatson at sbctc.edu> On Behalf Of Chris Bailey
Sent: Tuesday, March 18, 2025 12:51 PM
To: Chris Bailey <cbailey at sbctc.edu>
Subject: SBCTC update on federal funding and DEI court ruling

Good afternoon chancellors and presidents,
On Friday night (March 14), President Trump signed a continuing resolution<https://www.congress.gov/119/bills/hr1968/BILLS-119hr1968eh.pdf> ensuring funding for federal agencies through September 30. SBCTC staff has reviewed the continuing resolution and contacted the American Association of Community Colleges for its take on the legislation. AACC confirmed our observations: While the continuing resolution maintains federal fiscal year 2024 funding levels for fiscal year 2025, the language is extremely vague about funding for individual programs. The legislation leaves it up to federal agencies to decide how to use the funds. Given that the federal fiscal year is nearly halfway over (the federal fiscal year runs from October 1 to September 30), the hope is that federal agencies will make budget decisions quickly and transparently. We will keep you posted as we learn more. For more perspective, please see the Community College Daily article, "Washington Watch: FY25 funding is in the books."<https://www.ccdaily.com/2025/03/washington-watch-fy25-funding-is-in-the-books/> Also, the American Council on Education held a webinar this morning about the continuing resolution and public service loan forgiveness. A recording should be available on ACE's website<https://www.acenet.edu/Pages/dotedu/home.aspx?_cldee=kGRl_Be0T22dACfBXqp2NFfe0PWDiG3NwToVfk6uC_b8QLNPWywDuJJ4QikBgpnC&recipientid=contact-6802c4439dedef1193427c1e525b08f7-e57e2ba017bc450bb09ea42058e46394&utm_source=ClickDimensions&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dotedu-podcast&esid=b902fc97-58f5-ef11-9340-000d3a551717> within a day or two.
Also on Friday, the US circuit court of appeals made a ruling that allows the Trump administration to proceed with applying and enforcing two major executive orders aimed at ending government support for DEI programs (executive orders no. 14,151<https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-01953.pdf> and 14,173<https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2025-02097.pdf?1738244718>). Back in February, a lower court issued an injunction - a temporary halt - to the executive orders while lawsuits worked their way through the court system. However, Friday's ruling by the court of appeals lifted that injunction, allowing the federal government to apply and enforce the executive orders as the lawsuits play out. As always, colleges should consult with their assigned assistant attorney generals if they have questions about the executive orders, specific programs at their colleges, or the wording of federal forms or documents. The Guardian published a good article explaining the effect of the circuit court of appeals' ruling: "Court lifts block on Trump order to end federal support for DEI programs."<https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/15/court-dei-programs-trump-administration>
Against the ever-shifting backdrop at the federal level, SBCTC remains committed to our system's vision: "Leading with racial equity, our colleges maximize student potential and transform lives within a culture of belonging that advances racial, social, and economic justice in service to our diverse communities." Our diverse student population makes Washington's communities and economies more vibrant, our businesses more successful, and our future brighter.

Sincerely,
Chris Bailey
[Compass]Chris Bailey
Interim Executive Director
Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
website: www.sbctc.edu<http://www.sbctc.edu/>
This message will also be sent to the Diversity Equity Officers Commission, the Public Information Commission, and other councils and commissions.
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