KQED Interview with CSHE Director Jesse Rothstein

March 26, 2025

CSHE DirectorJesse Rothsteinrecently spoke withKQEDabout the UC hiring freezes and the long-term impact of financial uncertainty on US universities. He raised urgent concerns about:

Impact on Research & University OperationsThe University of California receives about $4 billion annually in federal research funding, distributed through thousands of competitive grants. With uncertainty about future funding, universities must carefully manage resources to avoid financial shocks.

Cuts to Indirect Research CostsA dramatic reduction in the indirect cost rate for research means universities may struggle to cover essential expenses like compliance, reporting, and administration. A judge has temporarily blocked this cut, but its potential reinstatement could severely impact university finances.

Threat to U.S. Global LeadershipThe United States has been a world leader in higher education for decades, attracting top talent from around the globe. Cuts to funding and restrictive visa policies could weaken this position, jeopardizing higher education as a major export industry for the U.S.

Listen to the full interview: https://omny.fm/shows/kqed-segmented-audio/education-experts-concerned-a...