Office of the President

Federal monitoring communications

January 30, 2025

Message from President Bennings

Dear Community,

I would like to take a moment to address concerns that may have arisen in response to the recent executive orders and actions? issued by the new administration. Please rest assured that the college is closely monitoring all developments related to these, particularly those that may affect students and the college.? There is uncertainty around how these orders will specifically affect our work moving forward. However, we are in regular communication with partners and will ensure that Portland Community College remains informed and prepared to respond to any changes or challenges that may come our way.

We understand that uncertainty in federal policy can create uneasiness and we are committed to keeping you updated. Students and community remain our top priority, and we will do everything necessary to navigate these times while maintaining the high-quality education and support services PCC is known for.

Thank you for your continued commitment to our students and mission.

Sincerely,

Dr. Adrien L. Bennings
President, Portland Community College

March 6, 2025

Message from the President’s Cabinet

Dear PCC Community,

For more than 60 years, Portland Community College has been leading efforts to make education more accessible and equitable in our region. This enduring commitment to student success has shaped the experiences of thousands of Oregonians, including many who navigate barriers to education, and we are proud to serve as a conduit for opportunity for so many in our community.

In recent weeks, federal agencies have issued new guidance and executive orders that have implications for institutions of higher education, requiring careful legal and policy review. PCC leadership is committed to full compliance with all civil rights laws, including Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, and we recognize the importance of making timely, well-informed decisions that balance our legal obligations with our institutional values.

To that end, we wanted to share with you that we have recently established a cross-departmental Federal Response Task Force, who have been meeting regularly to monitor regulatory changes, assess the potential impact on college policies and programs, and provide recommendations to the President’s Cabinet. Given the complexity of these issues, the task force is evaluating each potentially impacted area of our College on a case-by-case basis. Their goal is to ensure that any actions we take are both legally compliant and in the best interest of our students, employees, and community.

At this time, PCC programs and student support services continue as planned. We remain steadfast in our mission to provide an inclusive, welcoming environment to all learners. We will provide updates as new information becomes available and remain transparent about any changes that may be necessary.

Thank you for your dedication to PCC’s mission and to the students and communities we serve.

Sincerely,

President’s Cabinet

March 21, 2025

Message from the Federal Response Task Force

Dear PCC Community,

As co-chairs of the PCC Federal Response Taskforce, which was created to analyze and respond to the rapidly changing policies on the Federal level, we are aware of the recent Executive Order to close the Department of Education signed by President Trump.

Understandably, the news of this Executive Order has raised concerns within our community and we want to assure you that we are continuing to closely monitor the situation and analyze the potential impacts.

To provide some context, the latest executive order seeks to reduce the scope and influence of the Department of Education by shifting certain responsibilities and funding to state and local governments. The White House has said the department will close beyond its “core necessities,” but will continue Pell grants and managing federal student loans.? It also calls for the reevaluation of various federal education programs and initiatives, potentially affecting funding allocations and regulatory oversight.

While details of how this will unfold remain unclear, we will do our best to keep you informed with new updates. We want to emphasize that services at the college will continue as normal, and we are committed to supporting our students and community, while maintaining the high-quality education and services that you all provide everyday.

The Taskforce includes cross-departmental participation from: Student Affairs; Academic Affairs; College Relations; Finance Operations and Compliance; Marketing and Communications; Strategy, Policy, and Integrated Planning; People Strategy, Equity, & Culture; Financial Aid and Veterans Services; Government Relations and Student Belonging and Wellbeing. We are actively engaging in regular discussions with our partners; the Oregon Congressional Delegation, the Higher Education Coordinating Commission, Oregon Universities and Colleges, and other relevant stakeholders. We will take all necessary steps to ensure that our institution remains a strong and resilient community for both our students and employees.

Thank you for your ongoing commitment and professionalism in a very challenging time in higher education. We value your continued dedication and are here to support you, as we navigate through this evolving situation together.

Jennifer Ernst, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Sage Learn, Executive Director of College Relations

April 11, 2025

Message from Federal Relations Task Force

Dear PCC Community,

As co-chairs of the Federal Response Task Force, we are committed to communicating regularly despite the challenge of limited details available. We know that this uncertainty makes us all anxious about the current state of higher education, and the lack of information may be frustrating. Our goal is to keep you informed, as we closely monitor the Federal landscape and analyze potential impacts to students or the college.

Recently, some F-1 visas have been revoked for students studying at colleges and universities across the United States. There are currently 3 students at PCC who are experiencing this situation. To protect student privacy, we can’t comment on individual situations related to F-1 international student visas. What we can share is should a student’s visa status change, PCC’s practice is to offer resources and support through our Office of International Student Services (OISS) and assist them through the process. The team will continue to monitor, connect with other schools, and provide support to students when changes arise.

In regards to the executive order mentioned in the last update, which seeks to reduce the scope of the Department of Education by shifting responsibilities and funding to state and local governments, we still have few details of timing and how this will unfold. Oregon Attorney General Rayfield has joined a coalition of 20 other attorneys general to file for an injunction as part of a lawsuit to stop the dismantling of the Department of Education.

The State of Oregon and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) remain engaged in supporting Oregon’s colleges and HECC now has a web page where you can keep informed.

Your ongoing dedication and adaptability are deeply appreciated and we want to reassure you that services at the college continue as normal. At the heart of everything we do is our shared commitment to uplift our students and strengthen our community.

The Federal Response Taskforce is a temporary group composed of staff across the college in areas that deal closely with Federal programs, funding or initiatives to rapidly share information and analyze new or revised federal policies that potentially impact the college. This information is then rapidly shared with impacted people. Participants provide updates from their respective teams, including; Student Affairs; Academic Affairs; College Relations; College Operations; Finance and Compliance; Marketing and Communications; Strategy, Policy, and Integrated Planning; People Strategy, Equity, & Culture; Financial Aid and Veterans Services; Government Relations, Enrollment Management, and Student Belonging and Wellbeing. The expertise of this team helps ensure we can quickly get information in a changing environment and will continue to meet while there is a need.

If you wish to meet with us to discuss the impact on your particular department, please reach out, and we will be happy to schedule a meeting.

Your Federal Task Force Co-chairs,
Jennifer Ernst, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Sage Learn, Executive Director of College Relations

May 2, 2025

Dear PCC Community,

In April, over 300 employees signed a letter?that was delivered to the PCC Cabinet in regard to the Federal Response Task Force. As co-chairs, we would like to acknowledge the concerns raised and provide additional context for the work we are leading.

As the college navigates a rapidly changing federal education landscape, we continue to face a significant amount of uncertainty about the future. A lack of clear guidance from federal agencies has made grappling with changes confusing and distressing for both students and employees. We are committed to keeping our community informed as we monitor and assess potential risks and impacts to our college.

Below is a timeline of communications that address many of the questions referenced in the employee letter:

The Federal Response Task Force is a temporary group composed of staff across the college in areas that deal directly with federal programs, funding, and? initiatives. Its role is to rapidly review, vet, and share information about emerging policy changes with impacted departments. Participating areas include: Student Affairs; Academic Affairs; College Relations; College Operations; Finance and Compliance; Marketing and Communications; Strategy, Policy, and Integrated Planning; People Strategy, Equity, & Culture; Financial Aid and Veterans Services; Government Relations, Enrollment Management, and Student Wellbeing, Engagement & Belonging.

The Task Force ensures that the college can quickly and accurately review new information and will continue to meet as long as there is a need.

Additional resources available:

  • PCC Federal Response webpage?with updates and links to student resources.
  • The Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) is also providing updates and resources on a webpage.

We are available to meet with any group across the college to discuss questions and concerns, and we have met with multiple teams already.? Additionally, we are partnering with a coalition of student services leaders convened by Student Wellbeing, Engagement, and Belonging to support student communications, strategies, and activities. This group includes student affairs leaders, AP and classified staff, and an ESOL faculty member.

We may not have immediate answers in this evolving environment, but we are here to support you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you would like to schedule a meeting with us.

A positive update:?Since the last communication, all previously impacted PCC international students have had their F-1 Visa status reinstated.

As shared prior, services at the college continue as normal. While we cannot speak to future developments beyond our control, there is no information to suggest any immediate or significant changes. Our focus remains firmly on serving students and our community in accordance with our mission.

Our hope during these uncertain times is that we all treat each other with extra grace and support. Thank you for the shared commitment to our students and community.

Federal Task Force Co-chairs,
Jennifer Ernst, Vice President of Academic Affairs
Sage Learn, Executive Director of College Relations