Federal Actions

Meeting Federal Requirements, Supporting Our Community

Purpose & Commitment

North Dakota State University is committed to providing access, opportunity and excellence as North Dakota’s land-grant institution. As federal actions unfold we are moving forward with a strategic focus — carefully adapting while ensuring compliance, minimizing risk and disruption and upholding the integrity of our university community.

Rooted in our land-grant mission, we remain focused on expanding educational access, driving research innovation and strengthening industry and community partnerships. By thoughtfully integrating new procedures, we safeguard the university’s stability while positioning NDSU to lead through change — always with the goal of serving our students, faculty, staff and the people of North Dakota and beyond.

How NDSU is Responding

Our approach is guided by collaboration and careful oversight. Through dedicated working groups, we are actively assessing federal developments, evaluating their impact and aligning our operations to meet new requirements. This structured and proactive process ensures that we remain compliant while continuing to provide a seamless, high-quality experience for our students, faculty and staff.

We recognize that change — especially when driven by external factors — can bring uncertainty and concern. As we navigate these evolving federal requirements, we understand that members of our university community may have questions and concerns about how these changes impact their work, responsibilities or daily experiences. Please know that we are committed to transparency, open communication and providing the necessary support to ensure a smooth transition. Our goal is not just compliance, but also to minimize disruption, protect the well-being of our students and employees and uphold the high standards that define NDSU.

Federal Response Committees

Dedicated committees, including the Federal Coordination, Dear Colleague Letter and Federal Research committees, are actively monitoring federal developments and assessing their potential impact on university operations.

These committees work closely with university leadership to evaluate requirements, identify risks and align institutional policies and procedures with evolving federal guidance..

Guidance for Interactions with Federal Law Enforcement

The following guidance and FAQs are provided for NDSU faculty and staff should they ever encounter federal law enforcement officials on campus.

If any federal enforcement officer, including a United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official, contacts you regarding NDSU or an individual at NDSU, assure them that you are not obstructing their work and refer them to the NDSU Safety Office at 701-231-8998.

Frequently Asked Questions

NDSU is not aware of any federal law enforcement activity on its campus at this time.

Assure them that you are not obstructing their work and refer them to the NDSU Safety Office at 701-231-8998.

NDSU will continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of our campus community while complying with the law. Support resources for students are available through the Dean of Students and the Counseling Center. Support resources for employees are available through Faculty Affairs and Human Resources.

You should not allow any stranger into a locked building such as a residence hall or office. However, if the law enforcement officer indicates that they have a warrant or is demanding entry, do not obstruct their access and call the NDSU Safety Office at 701-231-8998.

NDSU is obligated to protect the confidentiality of its educational records under the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). NDSU may only provide educational records to law enforcement officials pursuant to subpoena, court order or other limited circumstances expressly required by FERPA. The NDSU Safety Office and the Attorney General’s Office are responsible for conducting the legal analysis for disclosure of records. Individual faculty and staff should not make these determinations.

The NDSU Safety Office is the point-of-contact because they have experience with external law enforcement agencies, and they are available 24/7. The Safety Office will communicate and coordinate with the Attorney General's Office to determine what legal issues are involved. The most common law enforcement issues for NDSU relate to accessing records and non-public areas of campus. These issues involve federal privacy laws (e.g., FERPA) and various constitutional provisions.

There is complexity in determining which records must be shared with federal authorities and where/when property is searchable — commonly involving subpoenas, search warrants and court orders. The NDSU Safety Office and the Attorney General’s Office are responsible for conducting the legal analysis. Individual faculty and staff should not make these determinations.

NDSU cannot provide personal legal services to students or employees. Please consult with a private attorney, Legal Services of North Dakota or Justice North.

Related Resources

For background information and key updates, visit the Federal Actions Resources page to stay informed.

To support transparency and open communication, we encourage you to review previous university communications and check back regularly for timely updates and additional resources as this work continues.

Questions, Feedback & Support

We are committed to keeping our NDSU community informed as we adapt to new requirements and evolving procedures. We understand that navigating these changes may raise questions or concerns, and we are here to support you through this process.

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Have a concern?

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