By Solé Scott
Editor-in-Chief
President Trump signing executive orders recently.
With President Trump back in office for only less than two weeks, there are already laws being taken away that will affect universities.
On Jan. 27, Trump and his administration sent out a memo announcing the pausing of federal aid and loans. However, a judge temporarily blocked the freeze before the order went into effect.
On Jan. 30, the Trump administration indicated that federal student loans and Pell grants will not be affected as of writing this now.
If this order went through, then benefits such as SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) Financial aid, scholarships, etc. would be on the chopping block.
Public relations professor, Catherine Sullivan-DeCarlo shared her comments and personal story on this obstructing policy.
“I was on Federal student loans as an undergraduate at Southern and that helped me go to Southern,” Sullivan DeCarlo said. “The fact that a third of the student body at Southern receive some student aid just alarms me that there could be a freeze.”
Not only will this policy affect administration, but obviously students who rely on these benefits for their schooling.
Exploratory major Zhoey Blanc, a freshman, who not only lives on campus, but works also campus is one of these students.
“This is just an inconvenience, and it just promotes an environment of exclusivity,” Blanc said.
Sociology major, Leilany Cruz, a sophomore, is nervous about how this will affect her as a college student.
“I am worried and nervous as to how all of these policies will affect me as a student,” Cruz said.
If this policy were to go through soon this will not only affect current college students but future students as well. Without scholarships or financial aid, universities all over the country could see a sharp decline.
“What’s happening right now coming out of the white house it just feels like bouncing ball,” Sullivan-DeCarlo said. We have a very strong congressional delegation in Connecticut and the Governor would fight it and file a lawsuit, so I don’t think it is an easy pass.”
Another issue that will prevail from this order is accessibility to food. Students who rely on SNAP or the food pantry on campus will lose this resource.
On Wednesday Jan. 29, Interim President Smith released an email addressing the situation.
“As events continue to unfold, I want to reaffirm that Southern remains committed to its social justice-driven mission of access, equity and opportunity. And as part of this mission, we will continue to strive to ensure that we will maintain a safe, inclusive and welcoming environment for all,” Smith said.
As of January 31, a second judge has blocked the federal aid freeze put in place by Trump.
Students walking around the academic quad.
