The federal government shutdown that began Oct. 1 is now in its second week, and while university officials say the immediate impact on MTU is minimal, students and researchers connected to federal agencies are feeling ripple effects.
University administrators have not spoken about what the long-term problems could be. However, a spokesperson from Michigan Tech’s marketing and communications office reached out with the following:
“Michigan Tech interfaces with the federal government in multiple manners that impact the university’s finances and policies. The magnitude of the effects of the government shutdown will be determined by its length. A brief shutdown will have minimal effect on operations, as federal financial aid for this semester has already been disbursed and funded research will continue to be carried out. The university’s International Programs and Services office is continually monitoring any complications affecting our international community members; a brief shutdown will also have minimal effects in this area.”
For students whose work overlaps directly with federal agencies, the disruption is more immediate. Kenzie Russell, a master’s student in applied ecology, said her research relies on collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), which operates out of a building on campus. That building is closed for now.
“For work I’m a grad student in applied ecology, I work in the forestry department in close association with the USFS, but I’m an employee of MTU,” Russell said. “One of my advisors is jointly funded, and the Forest Service closed the building she works in. She doesn’t have access to her email and hasn’t been able to advise me on things that would have been helpful.”
The shutdown hasn’t affected Russell’s current grant, but she told me that she is concerned about the future. “What if this shutdown overlaps with my next grant payment? There is fear of uncertainty, when is my boss coming back?”
“One professor in the U.S. Forest Service, who works in soils, cannot work right now. He can’t do his main job for the Forest Service,” said Lane Cozort, a forestry student.
For most students, financial aid is secure for the fall semester, but questions remain if the shutdown drags on. It remains unclear how a longer shutdown could affect research grants, student loan processing for spring semester, or visa processing for international students.
With the federal budget disagreement continuing in Washington, the shutdown’s length continues to grow. University officials have shown confidence that a brief shutdown won’t impact operations that much. But for students whose research depends on federal collaboration, and for those watching next semester’s financial aid deadlines approach, students are unsure what will happen.
“Right now, my grant isn’t messed up. But if this keeps going, I don’t know what happens,” said Russell.
