The federal administration is issuing executive orders, memos and actions that may impact higher education, Clackamas Community College, and our students. We are staying informed on developments in these areas to assess their potential effects and share relevant updates with our community.
While some implications remain unclear, Clackamas Community College is committed to keeping students, employees and the community updated and prepared for any changes. We recognize that shifts in federal policy can create uncertainty, but our top priority remains supporting our students and upholding our mission to cultivate equitable, innovative and responsive education. Our values of learning, equity, student success, community, and belonging guide our response to these evolving policies.
We will continue to update this page with information and resources to help our community navigate these changes.
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Federal policy updates key issues
Resources for CCC employees:
The Oregon Community College Association (OCCA) represents Oregon’s 17 community colleges and supports the colleges before policy-makers and partners whose actions affect the well-being of community colleges across the state.
Federal policy updates OCCA messages
Oregon joined 21 other states to file a lawsuit regarding the federal funding freeze, and a judge last Friday released a ruling with a temporary restraining order in that case: "The federal government may not pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel or terminate" federal awards and obligations to the states and others except as allowed under existing statutes and regulations. Basically, this prohibits the freeze or stop of any federal assistance funds already approved by Congress, even after agencies complete reviews of all current funding streams. All federal grant program funding streams should be restored under this temporary restraining order. OCCA continues to monitor this as we have heard that there may still be some issues with some funding streams. We are making our national partners aware of those situations as they arise.
With regard to the 2024 Title IX rules implemented by the Biden Administration in August 2024, on Monday, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, issued a "Dear Colleague" letter essentially reinstating the 2020 Title IX rules. Community colleges, universities, and K-12 school districts are required to revert back to the 2020 Title IX rules and review cases initiated under the 2024 rules to ensure compliance with this guidance. Those colleges that subscribe to the OCCA Board Policy Program will receive more information from OCCA on how to update your policies soon. OCCA is working with the Community College League of California to ensure all of our board policy and procedure templates are legally compliant.
OCCA understands that this is a time of great uncertainty for our students, staff, faculty and communities. OCCA will continue to closely monitor the rapidly changing federal requirements and provide additional guidance as it becomes available from federal and state agencies.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hold its first confirmation hearing today (February 13) for Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon. It is expected that McMahon will be questioned about the Administration’s plans to “shut down” the Department of Education and recent access granted to DOGE representatives to student financial aid data.
The administration continues to move forward on implementing recent executive orders targeting higher education institutions pertaining to ending illegal discrimination and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, and combatting antisemitism. Much of the week was focused on the changes proposed by the National Institutes of Health and the reimbursement of indirect costs allowed as a part of university health research activities. Additional lawsuits have been filed challenging the legality of recent executive orders and changes to Congressionally approved funding. No further guidance has been issued by the Department of Education related to the various executive orders.
A lawsuit was also filed this week by multiple religious organizations challenging the rescission of long-standing guidance related to federal immigration enforcement activities in “sensitive locations” such as churches and schools. We expect other lawsuits to follow. New resources have been posted on the Oregon Attorney General’s website and can be found here.
Oregon community college representatives who were in Washington, DC, this week for the ACCT National Legislative Summit had a chance to meet with members of Oregon's Congressional delegation and share potential impacts of these federal actions on community colleges, students, and the communities we serve. OCCA will share photos from the events and more information next week.
Please continue to reach out to your Congressional representatives to share how the potential loss of federal funding will impact your communities and the ability to educate and train Oregon’s future workforce.
On Friday, February 14, the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights, issued a Dear Colleague letter stating the Administration’s intent to interpret the Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in the Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) cases broadly and to aggressively enforce federal civil rights law.
The letter reiterates the obligations of education institutions to avoid discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. While the Supreme Court’s decision was focused only on the use of race-based preferences in college admissions, the Department broadly interprets the SFFA ruling and states in the letter that institutions may not use race in decisions related to “admissions, hiring, promotion, compensation, financial aid, scholarships, prizes, administrative support, discipline, housing, graduation ceremonies, and all other aspects of student, academic, and campus life.”
While the letter does not have the force of law and does not change existing legal requirements, it signals the intent of the Department to enforce federal civil rights laws for all education institutions that receive federal financial assistance. The letter notes that additional legal guidance will be provided “in due course” and the Department will assess institutional compliance with antidiscrimination requirements as a condition of the receipt of federal funding over the next 14 days.
OCCA will continue to monitor these developments and provide updates as they become available.
There were several developments this week related to the Trump Administration’s attempts to end federally funded diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Late last Friday, a federal district judge in Maryland issued a nationwide preliminary injunction preventing the federal government from changing or terminating grants and contracts they believe violate the president’s executive orders "Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity," and " Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing." In this ruling, the judge found that the vagueness of the orders would make compliance impossible and would likely violate free speech guarantees found in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. While the judge allowed the federal government to continue to investigate and prepare a report on DEI practices in accordance with one of the orders, he blocked enforcement of the orders.
College and university leaders are still analyzing the February 14 Dear Colleague letter issued last week by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights reaffirming the requirement of education institutions to abide by federal civil rights law. Oregon Higher Education Coordinating Commission Executive Director Ben Cannon released a statement earlier this week reiterating Oregon’s support for serving all students in compliance with state and federal laws. He noted Oregon’s commitment to the “principles of anti-discrimination, equity, and inclusion” that are reflected in many Oregon laws and HECC’s continuing commitment to “Oregon’s values in compliance with all applicable laws.” Click here for the statement.
On Feb. 25, the American Council on Education sent a letter addressed to Craig Trainor, Acting Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at the U.S. Department of Education requesting the Department withdraw the February 14 Dear Colleague letter and engage the higher education community in further conversation to develop guidance consistent with existing federal laws that will better guide institutional compliance. This letter was signed by all major higher education associations including the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) and the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT). Click here to read the letter.
This week this U.S. Department of Education announced the firing of more than 1,300 employees and the closure of several regional offices including the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) regional office in San Francisco. This action combined with previous terminations of probationary employees and employee buyouts will leave the Department with half of the staff it had at the beginning of the year. While details about specific staff reductions have not been made publicly available by the Department, it appears that staffing cuts were made in a number of offices that provide support and guidance to higher education institutions and students including the Office of Civil Rights, Office of Federal Student Aid, and the Institute of Education Sciences that houses the National Center for Education Statistics. It is unclear how responsibilities will be shifted to the remaining staff.
For the near future, these changes will likely impact the Department’s ability to provide guidance to students and institutions related to the administration of financial aid, FAFSA filing, pending OCR investigations, and pending grant applications. President Trump has not yet issued an executive order related to the ongoing operations of the Department of Education, but Congressional action would be necessary to eliminate the Department and cease the statutory funding and programs implemented by the Department.
On Thursday morning, Oregon Attorney General Rayfield joined a coalition of 21 state attorneys general in a lawsuit filed in Massachusetts federal court stating that the employee terminations at the Department of Education this week were “illegal and unconstitutional.” The suit challenges the administration’s legal authority to dismantle the department through employee cuts, and states the reduction of half of the department’s workforce will hurt students, especially those with disabilities and from low-income backgrounds.
OCCA continues to closely monitor these and other federal law and policy changes that may impact community colleges. The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) has also created a webpage with information about state responses to federal actions. You can access the page here.
Also at the federal level this week, former Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer was confirmed by the Senate as President Trump's new Secretary of Labor. She was sworn in on Tuesday. Chavez-DeRemer has stated her strong support for apprenticeship programs and the importance of community and technical colleges in workforce development.
As anticipated, today President Trump signed an executive order directing Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and return education oversight to the states. The executive order directs the Secretary to take all necessary steps to “facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return authority over education to the States and local communities while ensuring the effective and uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely” to the extent appropriate and permitted by law. Many of the Department’s programs are authorized by law and can only be ended through an act of Congress.
The order also reiterates the Department’s authority to ensure “rigorous compliance” with federal laws including ending programs the Administration asserts are illegal diversity, equity, and inclusion programs or those than promote gender ideology. In a statement released after the signing Secretary McMahon said, ““Closing the Department does not mean cutting off funds from those who depend on them — we will continue to support K-12 students, students with special needs, college student borrowers, and others who rely on essential programs. We’re going to follow the law and eliminate the bureaucracy responsibly by working through Congress to ensure a lawful and orderly transition." This comes on the heels of last week’s termination of nearly half of the department’s employees.
It is unclear at this time how the Secretary will implement this executive order and the impact these changes will have on programs and funding for community colleges and the students we serve. OCCA will continue to monitor the latest updates.
Details around potential impacts on students and institutions since last week’s signing of the Executive Order to dismantle the Department of Education remain murky. On Friday, the President announced that federal student aid administration functions would move to the Small Business Administration, and programs related to disabled “student needs” would move to the Department of Health and Human Services. Both functions are authorized by statute and must be housed at the Department of Education. Any change in administration of these programs by the department would require Congress to pass a law changing the existing laws. Given the recent cuts in staffing at all these agencies it is unclear how the remaining staff will continue to carry out the work to support students and provide guidance to institutions related to these programs, as well as the other important functions of the department including quality assurance, institutional transparency, and data collection. The Trump administration continues to provide assurances that programs and funding related to student financial aid, Pell Grants, and Title I funding that goes to K-12 schools will continue. Several lawsuits have been filed in the last week challenging the order to dismantle the Department without Congressional action. Earlier this week, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joined with 20 other state attorneys general to request a preliminary injunction to stop the dismantling of the Department of Education. A copy of the AG’s press release can be found here.
OCCA urges community college advocates to contact members of the Oregon Congressional Delegation to let them know how important federal funding is to our students and communities. Oregon’s economic future depends on the education and workforce training provided by Oregon’s community colleges. Please take action now to add your voice to these efforts. Click here to take action!
Finally, the Oregon Department of Justice launched a web page earlier this week summarizing the guidance issued to K-12 schools, community colleges, and universities released on March 5 by 15 Attorneys General including AG Rayfield related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. The page includes key background information, a summary of what actions are permissible under state and federal law and provides guidance for institutions. Please see this link for more information.
Several announcements from the federal level impacted Oregon this week.
On March 26, the U.S. Department of Education revoked a waiver granted to Oregon in 2023 that provided added flexibility for institutions to use federal TRIO funding as part of the Performance Partnership Pilots for Disconnected Youth for students who meet program eligibility criteria but might be undocumented. California’s waiver was also revoked. The waiver was for three years and included specific outcomes around student performance that were to be reported on by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC). The HECC is working with impacted institutions to ensure that programs are consistent with federal requirements.
This week the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) laid off 10,000 full-time employees and closed six of 10 regional offices. The closures also affect at least five Office of Head Start regional offices including those in in Seattle and San Francisco. The Region X office in Seattle provided regional assistance to Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Alaska. Current federal funding for Head Start Programs continues and services are still available to families and students enrolled in Head Start programs in Oregon. The employee layoffs and regional office closures are part of a substantial restructuring of the agency that includes major health and human services programs and departments including the Food and Drug Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the National Institutes of Health.
OCCA continues to monitor the HHS reorganization, as well as developments related to the dismantling of the U.S. Department of Education, and the impact these changes may have on community colleges and the students we serve. For more information the statutory changes that may limit the closure of the Department of Education and the transfer of its program, please see this article published in Inside Higher Ed.
International Student Visas Threatened
In the last week, the U.S. State Department has suddenly revoked visas and student status of hundreds of international students across the nation. This has often been done without the knowledge of the higher education institutions where the students are enrolled. While this has mainly impacted students at 4-year colleges and universities, there are some international students studying at community colleges who have lost their student status. This is a developing situation, and we have not confirmed if any Oregon community college students are affected by these revocations. Institutions are monitoring the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and supporting international students as more information becomes available.
Executive Order Related to Accreditation Expected
Reports indicate that President Trump will sign an executive order soon related to accreditation. Higher education institutions must be accredited to participate in federally funded programs like Title IV student financial aid. ACCT reported earlier this week that the executive order is expected to address diversity, equity, and inclusion in accreditation standards, even though accreditors, including the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), have already attested that their standards do not include explicit DEI requirements and institutions follow state and federal laws. In addition, it is believed that the order will allow new accreditors to enter the market and make it easier for institutions to change accreditors. We will provide more information when the order is released.
The Trump Administration continues to implement federal policy changes around alleged discrimination and immigration in ways that are impacting many universities and community colleges.
Federal departments continue to attempt to implement changes by terminating grants and contracts related to diversity, equity and inclusion, initiating investigations related to antisemitism, removing student visa and temporary protected status for thousands of students studying at U.S. colleges and universities, and threatening to withhold federal grants and research funding that has already been awarded. Meanwhile, numerous legal challenges are pending, and some preliminary injunctions have put these changes on hold. For many of these actions, little or no detail or rationale has been provided explaining why the grant or visa was terminated.
Congress has not yet acted to change statutory requirements for programs that are required to be administered by the U.S. Department of Education, and it remains unclear if the agency will continue to administer student financial aid or if these functions will be transferred to another agency. The department has not released any further details about its dismantling and the impact on other programs. Agency heads are required to report on recommended changes in May. Earlier this week, more than 220 academics signed a statement calling for constructive engagement in support of the goals of American higher education and referencing the essential role institutions play in contributing to America's prosperity and sustaining democracy. The letter was signed by four Oregon college and university presidents, including Jessica Howard, President of Chemeketa Community College. Click here for a copy of the statement.
Late Wednesday, President Trump signed several new executive orders related to education, including the expected order directed at accreditors. Accreditors play an important role in higher education as part of the “Triad,” which includes the federal government and state governments in assuring quality in the U.S. higher education system. As part of this long-standing approach, accreditors focus on assuring institutions meet standards related to quality in learning and teaching, and continuous improvement. Accreditation is required for community colleges to participate in Title IV federal student financial aid programs. The executive order targets two accreditors for investigation related to “illegal” diversity, equity and inclusion standards and directs the Secretary of Education to hold accreditors accountable for any failure to meet federal civil rights policies using the administration’s broad interpretation of the Students for Fair Admissions decision. The order outlines new principles of “student-oriented” accreditation to ensure institutions are providing “high-quality, high-value” academic programs. Finally, the order directs the Secretary to advance the policies and objectives by recognizing new accreditors and making it easier for institutions to change accrediting bodies. The executive order can be found here.
OCCA is closely monitoring new developments at the federal level and will continue to advocate on behalf of Oregon's community colleges and the students and communities we serve.
Late last Friday (April 25), international students studying at community colleges and universities across the country received at least a temporary reprieve to continue their education when their records in the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) were restored to active status. Several weeks prior, student records in SEVIS were suddenly terminated and more than 1,000 students, including international students enrolled at Oregon community colleges and universities, were told they had to immediately leave the United States. This action was challenged in lawsuits filed by affected students around the country and, in almost all cases, temporary restraining orders were issued, pausing the termination of records. On Friday, the Trump administration reversed course and restored records while they work to implement a new policy related to the review of student visas. It is expected that new guidance will be released soon and will expand the circumstances under which a student’s visa can be revoked and they can be deported.
OCCA reported last week that President Trump signed seven executive orders on April 24 related to education. While most were focused on K-12 education, two addressed higher education. The first addressed accreditation and, as OCCA noted last week, while the executive order does not directly impact community colleges, it could have a substantial impact on institutions if the federal government exerts more influence over accreditors and the accreditation process as expected. A second executive order titled Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future focused on workforce and apprenticeship programs. This executive order directs the Secretaries of Labor, Education, and Commerce to conduct a review of federal workforce programs and report to the President within 90 days about how to streamline programs, including possible consolidation, restructuring, or eliminating programs that “are ineffective or fail to achieve the administration’s desired outcomes.” In addition, the Secretaries are required to identify “alternative credentials and assessment to the 4-year college degree." For more information, see ACCT’s deep dive of these executive orders by clicking here.Federal updates college messages
With the new federal administration, there have been significant policy changes at the national level, and certainly more to come. We are closely monitoring these developments and working to understand how they may impact you and the Clackamas Community College community.
New laws and regulations often take time to evolve as they undergo legal and legislative processes. While these changes unfold, we are gathering resources to support you.
As we navigate this time of transition, I want to reaffirm my commitment — and the college’s commitment — to serving allstudents. We are here to support you regardless of your background, identity, or circumstances. Our mission is to provide a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment where every student can succeed. CCC remains dedicated to its values of learning, equity, student success, community, and belonging.
We understand that uncertainty can create stress and concern. If you need support, I encourage you to contact CCC’s free counseling services.
Protecting student information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. We will continue to adhere strictly to our FERPA policy, and ensure that any request for student information is handled through established processes.
Responding to law enforcement inquiries
If law enforcement comes to campus with a subpoena or warrant, the college will review the request, verify its legal validity, and ensure it follows the law before providing any information. Our priority is to handle these situations appropriately and protect our students’ rights.
Available resources
We are committed to keeping you informed and minimizing disruptions as much as possible. We are also developing a webpage with updates and resources, including translation options for accessibility. Once it is live, we will share the link.
We are here for you and will continue to advocate for and support all CCC students.
Sincerely,
President Dr. Tim CookOn Friday, the
U.S. Department of Education released a “Dear Colleague” letter outlining
nondiscrimination obligations for colleges receiving federal funding. We are
carefully reviewing this information and seeking guidance to ensure our
policies and practices remain in full compliance with the law.
As with many
federal directives, the legal and practical implications may take time to
clarify. Therefore, it is important not to react too quickly, as policy
interpretations and enforcement can evolve. We are committed to a thoughtful,
measured approach that ensures compliance while also following Oregon law and
our institutional mission. Additionally, we do not preemptively comply with
executive directives until they have gone through the appropriate legal and
regulatory processes.
It is important
to note that a small portion of CCC’s funding — about 2% — comes from federal
sources. The vast majority of our funding comes from the state, local property
taxes, and student tuition.
To help you stay
informed on federal policies impacting higher education, we have launched a Federal Policy Updates and Resources
webpage. This page will provide timely updates and resources as new information
emerges.
We appreciate
your patience and support for our students and each other as we navigate these
changes together. I will continue to update you as we review and implement any
necessary changes.
Sincerely,
Tim
Dear CCC Community,
The college wants to make sure you have access to the resources and support you need. Teams have been working to gather information and develop response plans to help you navigate a variety of situations, including interactions with law enforcement, immigration matters, and accessing identity-affirming support.
Here are some new updates:
Law enforcement and immigration guidance
Support for undocumented and DACA students
Resources for LGBTQIA+ students
For more information and resources, visit the Federal policy updates and resources webpage.
We’re here for you — please reach out if you have any questions or need support.Dear CCC Community,
As we are now in spring term, I want to take a moment to acknowledge both the energy and the uncertainty that comes with this new season. Spring is a time of growth, renewal, and possibility.
We also know that this spring brings uncertainty at the federal level. A recent executive order seeks to significantly reduce the scope of the U.S. Department of Education, shifting responsibilities and funding to state and local governments. While the department itself is legislatively established — and cannot be eliminated by executive order alone — its work may be substantially impacted, particularly in areas like K-12 education and federal oversight of civil rights in higher education.
What does this mean for us right now? Federal Pell grants and student loan services will continue. CCC’s operations, programs, and student services have not been significantly affected at this time. Most importantly: We are committed to our students, our mission, and each other. We are monitoring developments closely and will continue to advocate for access, equity, and opportunity in higher education.
At CCC, we will continue to strive to provide high-quality instruction, essential student support, and a welcoming community for all. While there’s still much we don’t yet know at the federal level, please be assured: So far, there has been minimal impact on college operations, and our focus on student success has not wavered.
If you ever need help, please reach out. From academic support and advising to free food pantries and emergency aid, we have resources in place because your well-being matters.
Thank you for being part of our community. Keep going. Keep reaching. We’re proud to walk this path with you.
For more information and resources, visit the Federal policy updates and resources webpage.
Sincerely,
President Dr. Tim Cook
With recent federal changes, the information below serves as a reminder to faculty, staff, and students about the college’s policies and procedures regarding both access to student information and access to CCC’s campuses by visitors, including law enforcement and federal officers such as the FBI or Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers. This information is intended to assist staff, should any of these situations arise, and to reassure our campus community that we are committed to protecting student information as required by FERPA, maintaining a secure campus environment, and ensuring our students can access their education.
Visits by law enforcement
Visitors representing state, local and federal law enforcement agencies seeking information related to a specific person or persons shall be directed to contact the College Safety Director or designee in the College Safety office (503-594-6650). Police agencies include, but are not limited to, police departments, sheriff’s offices, Oregon State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Student information is not to be released to law enforcement agencies without a judicial court order or subpoena. Any release of information must be approved by Vice President Jeff Shaffer as our legal representative (see below).
Oregon Sanctuary Law bars state and local authorities, as well as employees of public bodies (including colleges), from assisting in federal immigration efforts without a valid warrant. Even if a warrant is presented, employees should contact College Safety, because not all warrants are equivalent.
No employee should interfere with or disrupt any law enforcement officer serving an arrest or search warrant signed by any judicial court.
If employees notice police or federal officers present on campus and they are concerned about their activity or conduct, report the situation to College Safety. College Safety will contact the officers and determine whether we should or can intervene.
College Safety responsibility related to immigration laws
Clackamas Community College’s safety officers are not sworn law enforcement and are private security employed directly by the college. In this role, their responsibility is to serve the policies and directives of the CCC Board of Education and Executive Team and have no authority or purpose to assist in or be involved in any immigration enforcement activity.
Access to student information
Access to student information is limited and restricted to directory information per federal law (FERPA) and Clackamas Community College Policy. However, the college is not required to release directory information; directory information may be withheld if a student submits a nondisclosure form to Registration and Records. Note there are implications to consider if a request for nondisclosure is made. Please contact Registration and Records at 503-594-6074 or registration@clackamas.edu with questions.
The college may be required to release student information specified upon court order or subpoena. In this case, the student will be informed in accordance with FERPA guidelines if allowed.
Please direct any personal information requests, subpoenas or warrants to Vice President Jeff Shaffer: Jeff.shaffer@clackamas.edu or 503-594-3101.
Student records
At Clackamas Community College, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students. We do not collect or track the immigration status of our students or their families with the exception of international students attending on an F-1 visa.
Compliance statement
It is the policy of Clackamas Community College and its Board of Education that the college prohibits discrimination and harassment on any basis protected by law, including but not limited to an individual’s perceived or actual race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion, sex, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, familial status, economic status, veterans’ status, sexual orientation, gender identity or marital status, or because of the perceived or actual race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, marital status, age, mental or physical disability, pregnancy, familial status, economic status, veterans’ status of any other persons with whom the individual associates. Persons having questions about equal opportunity/affirmative action should contact the Human Resources Department at hr@clackamas.edu or 503-594-3458.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. We will continue to adhere strictly to our FERPA policy, and ensure that any request for student information is handled through established processes.