In early 2025, a wave of federal executive actions and related decisions issued by President Trump and the federal government began reshaping the landscape of higher education. While many of these measures face ongoing legal challenges, their effects are already being felt across college campuses, particularly regarding student health and well-being.
The impact of DEI rollbacks on underrepresented students
One of the most far-reaching changes is the rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. Recent executive orders directed federal agencies to eliminate DEI programs and bar funding for institutions that incorporate race or gender identity into their services. While these actions are temporarily blocked in some states, many colleges are preemptively scaling back programs that support underrepresented students. For first-generation, LGBTQ+, and students of color, this has meant losing access to trusted services, mentorship programs, and identity-affirming spaces—often without warning.
Simultaneously, transgender students face growing threats to their safety and access to care. A pair of executive orders aimed to ban transgender women from participating in women’s sports and restrict federal funding to providers offering gender-affirming care for minors. Though courts have halted much of the enforcement, the uncertainty has real consequences. Some health centers have suspended transition-related care, and trans students are increasingly left navigating health systems under stress and stigma.
International students are also experiencing renewed instability. The administration’s threat to decertify visa programs, most notably at Harvard, has created confusion and concern across institutions with large international populations. Although courts issued temporary relief, colleges are now under pressure to monitor international student data more closely, raising fears about surveillance and compliance. At the same time, reports of frozen federal research grants are raising alarms about long-term funding for student-led projects and international collaboration.
Erosion of trust in public health’s impact on campus health
Further complicating the public health landscape was the recent dismissal of multiple members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP)—the CDC’s independent vaccine advisory group. While not an executive order, this move has undermined confidence in federal vaccine guidance, which many colleges use to determine immunization requirements for enrollment. As trust in public health decision-making wavers, so too does the stability of campus health infrastructure.
Even though many of these actions have been delayed or challenged in court, the policy environment remains highly unstable. Uncertainty is a stressor for students, especially concerning access to health care, identity-based support, or immigration status. For college administrators, the situation demands navigating evolving legal risks while trying to preserve a safe, inclusive learning environment.
Addressing obstacles and championing student well-being
There are bright spots. Student activism has surged in response to these changes, and several states—including California—have filed lawsuits to block implementation. National education and health organizations have also spoken out, urging institutions to hold the line on inclusive policies and evidence-based practices.
But the immediate reality is that many students now face gaps in services, delayed medical care, or a campus climate that feels increasingly unpredictable. In the coming months, it will be critical for higher education leaders to reaffirm their commitment to student well-being by defending inclusive policies, investing in alternative supports, and ensuring all students feel seen, supported, and safe.
Stay Informed. Stay Engaged.
As these policies evolve, campus leaders and students alike must remain vigilant. If your institution is impacted, consider joining legal advocacy efforts, student coalitions, or national networks working to protect access to care, equity, and inclusion in higher education.
Don’t forget to register for the Campus Health 360 newsletter so that you can stay up to date on trends in college health.
Disclosure
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