In this all-Q&A episode of dotEDU Live, hosts Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer break down the latest policy shifts, legal battles, and administrative chaos facing colleges and universities in the Trump administration’s first weeks. From the fallout of the now-blocked federal spending freeze to the uncertain future of DEI funding and research grants, they answer audience questions on how agencies are interpreting new executive orders, the impact on funding, and whether the administration can really dismantle the Department of Education.

Send suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu.

Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

Higher Education & The Trump Transition  American Council on Education

Trump Planning EO Directing Education Department to ‘Diminish Itself,’ Reports Say  Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 3, 2025

Republicans Praise Trump Plans To Dismantle Department of Education, but Others See a Contradiction The Boston Globe (sub. req.) | Feb. 5, 2025

Higher Ed Fights Back Against Trump’s DEI Order Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 5, 2025

Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism White House Executive Order |Jan. 29, 2025

U.S. Department of Education Probes Cases of Antisemitism at Five Universities  Department of Education | Feb. 3, 2025

HHS’ Civil Rights Office Acts Swiftly to Combat Anti-Semitism  Department of Health and Human Services | Feb. 3, 2025

Justice Department Announces Formation of Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism  Department of Justice | Feb. 3, 2025

Trump Orders Disrupt Academic Research Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 3, 2025