Feb. 18, 2025

Dear Pacificans,

One month into the new administration, statements, executive orders, proclamations, directives, proposals, counterproposals and lawsuits impacting higher education are coming out of Washington at a rapid rate. The news – and conflicting interpretations of the news – is causing anxiety and concern across our nation’s college campuses, including ours.

In response, we see other U.S. colleges and universities pre-emptively changing their practices around inclusion, access and diversity while other schools are imposing immediate budget cuts and hiring freezes in anticipation of potential reductions to research grants and other federal funding.

It would be unwise to try to predict what will happen next and potential short-term ramifications, let alone what might happen over the long term. But here is what we should know – and embrace – as Pacificans: We will not change our mission, principles or values in anticipation of things that may or may not become reality at some point in time. Simply put, we will continue to stay our course.

We adhere steadfastly to our six core values, which have long guided the teaching, research and service at University of the Pacific and our community of students and scholars.

Please know that we are engaging daily on multiple fronts, including working with our congressional leaders in Washington to help us protect and preserve our federal research and service grants – present and future. Provost Gretchen Edwalds-Gilbert and her Academic Affairs team are working closely with faculty members whose funding could potentially be impacted. Student Life Vice President Maria Blandizzi and her team are working closely with and providing direct support to individual students to address their specific needs. Chief General Counsel Lauren Schoenthaler already has created clear guidelines if anyone purporting to be a government representative asks for information about our students, faculty, staff or programs. Vice President for Enrollment Strategy Chris Ferguson is connecting with families of prospective students to answer any questions or concerns. And Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Mary Lomax-Ghirarduzzi continues her outstanding work across our campuses, including this month’s exceptional Black History Month events and celebrations.

We know these can be uncertain and unsettling times for our Pacific community and all higher education, but we continue our mission of developing the next generation of leaders in their chosen fields through immersive, personalized teaching and learning, creating new knowledge through research, and serving our communities – always guided by our Pacific values and principles.

Sincerely,

Christopher Callahan
President