[MES Forum] Title VI News

[McClimans, Melinda]

Dear MES Forum,

As you know, these have been particularly trying times for our field. Uncertainty due to national politics and numerous developments affecting higher education in general can make it difficult to focus on business at hand. We do our best to keep our community updated on how the national situation might affect us and to offer support. I’m sure you’ve heard about the cuts affecting our federal government and perhaps about the recent cuts in the Department of Education<https://www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2025/03/11/education-department-reduce-staff-half?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=95bd5f6a92-BNU_20230517_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-95bd5f6a92-197672229&mc_cid=95bd5f6a92&mc_eid=cbf8645263>.  We learned yesterday that indeed those cuts eliminated the US/ED International and Foreign Language Education (IFLE) Office<https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/ope/ifle> that administered the Title VI NRC and FLAS grant programs we were intending to re-acquire in the next funding cycle.

Title VI is no mere grant program. Its mandates created area studies centers at universities and significantly bolstered language offerings that likely would not exist in our country without that funding history<https://www.ed.gov/about/ed-offices/office-of-postsecondary-education/history-of-title-vi-and-fulbright-hays-programs>. It shapes the way we think about our priorities, especially with regard to language study and community outreach. That imprint will not go away completely, but it looks like we will have to rethink our Center’s activities in many ways.

The silver lining in this situation is that we now have an opportunity to think about the gaps between what funders call “sustainability” and true commitments of our communities and our institutions. Ohio State University has made a commitment to community engaged research<https://research.osu.edu/research-responsibilities-and-compliance/human-subjects/community-engaged-research> and international education<https://oia.osu.edu/> beyond Title VI that will continue into the foreseeable future.

It’s now up to our creativity to decide what to do as we adapt to a “new normal.” I for one am grateful for the community we have here.  I have seen many of you selflessly remain committed to our educational mission despite (or perhaps because of) a difficult atmosphere<https://mesc.osu.edu/news/war-gaza-and-israel-challenges-universities-maintain-learning-spaces>. I am grateful for the incredible students who are stepping up in so many ways to lead and to address issues that truly matter while focusing on their studies. I focus on those things, and it gives me confidence things are going to be OK. Thanks so much for your hard work and dedication.

Sincerely,

Melinda




[The Ohio State University]

Melinda McClimans, PhD
Assistant Director

The Ohio State University
Office of International Affairs
Middle East Studies Center
145D Enarson Classroom Building
2009 Millikin Rd, Columbus, OH 43210
614-292-6506 Office / 614-974-4331 Mobile
mcclimans.2 at osu.edu<mailto:mcclimans.2 at osu.edu> / mesc.osu.edu<https://mesc.osu.edu/>

Pronouns: she/her


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