Latest news with #WVSU
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
WVU, WVSU see research grants terminated under DOGE
May 25—dbeard @ MORGANTOWN — Colleges and universities across the country have seen research grants terminated under DOGE efforts to rein in government spending. West Virginia has been a relatively tiny target, but not immune. WVU Research Corp. recently saw two grants terminated, while West Virginia State University Research and Development Corp. saw one. On April 22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture terminated a $4, 795, 047 grant to WVURC. DOGE listed the savings to be realized from the termination at $4, 687, 431, but had no other information. WVU filled in the gaps. The project title was "Grazing Regeneratively for Appalachian Sustainable Solutions, " (GRASS). Along with the nearly $.8 million federal allotment, there were non-federal funds — the "cost share " — of $2, 144, 560.92, for a total approved budget of $6, 939, 607.74. The project period was set to be Sept. 1, 2023 through Aug. 31, 2028. WVU could supply no other information at this time — such as the number of researchers affected — noting that the Financial Closeout Report is still being processed. On April 25, the National Science Foundation terminated a grant to WVURC. DEI has been a particular target of DOGE, and this grant was titled "Collaborative Research: Developing and Testing the Equity Departmental Action Team Model of Racial Equity Focused Departmental Change." The total intended award amount was $447, 803, WVU said, and the current amount obligated for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025 was $205, 534. DOGE's projected realized savings was $116, 103.80. DOGE linked this grant to which shows that $89, 430 ($89, 430.20 to be exact) of the $205, 534 had been outlayed to date — giving the $116, 103.80 projected DOGE savings. WVU had no additional information, again noting that the Financial Closeout Report is still being processed. USASpending, though, gives a lengthy description of the project. It says, "Given the persistent challenge of racial inequity in STEM, there is a clear need for new models that spur and sustain racial equity change. ... This project will bring together experts in institutional change and experts in advancing racial equity with the goal of combining existing, well tested change models to produce a new, racial equity focused model of change in higher education." The project would use the EDAT — equity departmental action team — model. "This project will advance the scholarship of racial equity by developing, testing, and refining the edat model with stem departments at a minority serving institution and disseminating the model through partnership with national higher education associations." The University of Colorado Denver was to serve as the pilot institution. The WVSU grant, from the USDA, was terminated April 7. DOGE lists the total grant at $268, 000 and the savings as $58, 008. It had no other information and WVSU filled in the gaps. WVSU said the grant title was "Impact of Water Quality on the Fluxes of Greenhouse Gases for Regulated Rivers." The termination of the grant terminated the project, " WVSU said. "We will not seek other funding to continue this specific project." Two employees were affected by the grant termination, WVSU said. "We identified alternative resources temporarily to support the salaries of the two employees in order to allow the individuals to remain employed and work on a different project for two months after the grant termination." Another office closure In mid-and late March, we reported on various federal offices close around the state. Another was listed as closed on April 28: the Internal Revenue Service national office in Wheeling. The office space is 3, 418 square feet, according to DOGE, with an annual lease of $49, 526. Project savings from closing the office is $213, 571.
Dominion Post
25-05-2025
- Business
- Dominion Post
WVU, WVSU see research grants terminated under DOGE
dbeard@ MORGANTOWN – Colleges and universities across the country have seen research grants terminated under DOGE efforts to rein in government spending. West Virginia has been a relatively tiny target, but not immune. WVU Research Corp. recently saw two grants terminated, while West Virginia State University Research and Development Corp. saw one. On April 22, the U.S. Department of Agriculture terminated a $4,795,047 grant to WVURC. DOGE listed the savings to be realized from the termination at $4,687,431, but had no other information. WVU filled in the gaps. The project title was 'Grazing Regeneratively for Appalachian Sustainable Solutions,' (GRASS). Along with the nearly $.8 million federal allotment, there were non-federal funds – the 'cost share' – of $2,144,560.92, for a total approved budget of $6,939,607.74. The project period was set to be Sept. 1, 2023 through Aug. 31, 2028. WVU could supply no other information at this time – such as the number of researchers affected – noting that the Financial Closeout Report is still being processed. On April 25, the National Science Foundation terminated a grant to WVURC. DEI has been a particular target of DOGE, and this grant was titled 'Collaborative Research: Developing and Testing the Equity Departmental Action Team Model of Racial Equity Focused Departmental Change.' The total intended award amount was $447,803, WVU said, and the current amount obligated for Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025 was $205,534. DOGE's projected realized savings was $116,103.80. DOGE linked this grant to which shows that $89,430 ($89,430.20 to be exact) of the $205,534 had been outlayed to date – giving the $116,103.80 projected DOGE savings. WVU had no additional information, again noting that the Financial Closeout Report is still being processed. USASpending, though, gives a lengthy description of the project. It says, 'Given the persistent challenge of racial inequity in STEM, there is a clear need for new models that spur and sustain racial equity change. … This project will bring together experts in institutional change and experts in advancing racial equity with the goal of combining existing, well tested change models to produce a new, racial equity focused model of change in higher education.' The project would use the EDAT – equity departmental action team – model. 'This project will advance the scholarship of racial equity by developing, testing, and refining the edat model with stem departments at a minority serving institution and disseminating the model through partnership with national higher education associations.' The University of Colorado Denver was to serve as the pilot institution. The WVSU grant, from the USDA, was terminated April 7. DOGE lists the total grant at $268,000 and the savings as $58,008. It had no other information and WVSU filled in the gaps. WVSU said the grant title was 'Impact of Water Quality on the Fluxes of Greenhouse Gases for Regulated Rivers.' The termination of the grant terminated the project,' WVSU said. 'We will not seek other funding to continue this specific project.' Two employees were affected by the grant termination, WVSU said. 'We identified alternative resources temporarily to support the salaries of the two employees in order to allow the individuals to remain employed and work on a different project for two months after the grant termination.' Another office closure In mid- and late March, we reported on various federal offices close around the state. Another was listed as closed on April 28: the Internal Revenue Service national office in Wheeling. The office space is 3,418 square feet, according to DOGE, with an annual lease of $49,526. Project savings from closing the office is $213,571.
Miami Herald
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
DEI rollback forces West Virginia HBCU to review programs
West Virginia State, a predominately white HBCU, is now dealing with the ramifications of Gov. Patrick Morrisey's anti-DEI Institute, WV-based HBCU says it is reviewing its programs to make sure that Morrisey's anti-diversity, equity and inclusion executive order is being followed. "Like all institutions of higher education in West Virginia, we are assessing our institution to ensure that we are in compliance with both the executive orders issued by Gov. Morrisey and the latest requirements issued by the federal government," WVSU President Ericke S. Cage told West Virginia Watch. West Virginia State University (WVSU), founded in 1891 as a historically Black college and university (HBCU), became predominantly white due to desegregation and demographic shifts. Initially established to serve Black students during segregation, WVSU underwent significant changes after the Brown v. Board of Education ruling in 1954. As integration expanded, white students increasingly enrolled, especially given the school's location in a predominantly white region. Over time, state policies and declining Black enrollment contributed to a demographic shift. Despite this, WVSU remains an HBCU by designation, preserving its historic mission while serving a diverse student body is one of two HBCUs in the state of West Virginia, the other being Bluefield State. "West Virginia State University has always been an institution that prides itself on being a living laboratory of human relations that provides a high quality education to students of all backgrounds," Cage added. Morrissey's order is part of a massive DEI rollback started at the federal level by President Donald Trump. The post DEI rollback forces West Virginia HBCU to review programs appeared first on HBCU Gameday. Copyright HBCU Gameday 2012-2025
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
West Virginia State University, an HBCU, reviewing programs following Morrisey's anti-DEI order
West Virginia State University, in Institute, was one of 19 Historically Black Colleges and Universities designated as land-grant institutions to receive funding from the United States Department of Agriculture. (West Virginia State University | Courtesy photo) Gov. Patrick Morrisey's anti-diversity, equity and inclusion executive order is prompting West Virginia State University to review its programs. WVSU, located in Institute, is one of the state's historically Black colleges and universities. The university does not have a dedicated DEI office, which Morrisey has said must not exist in state government or within entities receiving state funds, like universities. 'Like all institutions of higher education in West Virginia, we are assessing our institution to ensure that we are in compliance with both the executive orders issued by Gov. Morrisey and the latest requirements issued by the federal government,' said WVSU President Ericke S. Cage. President Donald Trump has executive orders targeting DEI programs, which aim to dismantle the diversity-focused programs across all federal agencies, including those that provide funding that could benefit HBCUs. 'West Virginia State University has always been an institution that prides itself on being a living laboratory of human relations that provides a high quality education to students of all backgrounds,' Cage added. Founded in 1891, WVSU is one of the original HBCUs established after the Civil War. Bluefield State University, the state's other HBCU, did not respond by deadline about how the campus was responding to Morrisey's anti-DEI directive. West Virginia University announced last week that, in response to Morrisey's order, it would close its DEI office and open a new unit – the WVU Division of Campus Engagement and Compliance – with a 'redefined mission.' The unit will focus on ensuring the university adheres to federal and state guidance, including compliance with Title IX and the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to WVU leadership. The acronym DEI represents 'diversity, equity and inclusion' policies aimed at promoting equality in government and workplaces' hiring and retention. Morrisey, a Republican, believes the policies can give 'special preferences unlawfully benefiting one group over another' due to race, age, ethnicity and more. Marshall University and West Liberty University are reviewing their diversity policies, and both universities removed DEI-related content from their websites.
