On campus: UI students’ visas revoked
The federal government revoked multiple international students’ visas this week at the University. The University didn’t share details on the number of visas revoked or the federal government’s reasons for doing so. The University’s Federal Updates Steering Group released a Massmail addressing the revocations and affirming the University’s commitment to its students.
The Massmail indicated that if a student’s visa is revoked, it doesn’t automatically terminate their enrollment at the University. It said the University is “working directly with individuals to help them understand their options for their unique situation and connect them with appropriate resources.”
More information can be found in this FAQ by the University’s International Student and Scholar Services.
On campus: Charlie Kirk visit draws supporters, protesters
Get The Daily Illini in your inbox!
Youth conservative activist Charlie Kirk visited the University on Tuesday as a part of his “American Comeback Tour.” He was hosted by the University’s chapter of Turning Point USA, an organization he founded with the mission of “identifying, organizing, and empowering young people to promote the principles of free markets and limited government,” according to TPUSA’s website.
In the early dawn hours before Kirk’s arrival, a group of individuals splattered paint on the front of Foellinger Auditorium, the building where Kirk would debate students later that day. A UIPD press release said one student was arrested in relation to the vandalism. It is unclear whether the act was related to Kirk’s visit.
In a packed Foellinger, Kirk debated with audience members on abortion, immigration, crime and economic policy. Just outside, students and community members on the Main Quad protested Kirk’s appearance.
On campus: University workers rally for increased wages, new contract
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees worker union locals 698 and 3700 gathered on the quad on Friday to advocate for higher wages and an updated contract. Members of the unions include technicians, library staff and office support employees.
Several union members spoke at the rally, sharing their experiences with inadequate pay and explaining their previous contracts expired last September. The Non-Tenure Faculty Coalition and other groups showed their support at the demonstration.
Patrick Wade, the University’s director of executive communications and issues management, told The Daily Illini that the administration aims to reach a resolution over email soon. The next bargaining session is scheduled for Monday.
In the US: Trump freezes $790 million in Northwestern University funding
The Trump Administration froze $790 million in federal funding for Northwestern University on Tuesday, due to “ongoing, credible and concerning Title VI investigations,” The Daily Northwestern reported.
Northwestern is on the Education Department’s March list of 60 campuses under investigation for Title VI violations relating to antisemitism.
An NU spokesperson told The Daily Northwestern “innovative and lifesaving research” is now at risk, and “the University (Northwestern) has fully cooperated with investigations by both the Department of Education and Congress.”
In the US: AI or A.1.?
On Tuesday, United States Secretary of Education Linda McMahon referred to artificial intelligence multiple times as “A.1.,” a famous steak sauce brand, rather than AI at an education-technology conference.
“A report that I heard this morning … that there is a school system that’s going to start making sure that first-graders or even pre-Ks have A.1. teaching every year starting that far down in the grades,” McMahon said.
The National Education Association, the largest labor union in the country, strongly opposed McMahon’s appointment to the position last year. They criticized McMahon for her background, policy stances and for lying about having a bachelor’s degree in education on a 2009 questionnaire to serve on Connecticut’s state board of education. McMahon’s bachelor’s degree is in French.
The A.1. Sauce brand capitalized on McMahon’s slip-up with a post encouraging schools to “start them early” on the sauce.
Worldwide: Trump admin excludes smartphones, computers from China tariffs
President Trump’s newly announced reciprocal tariffs won’t apply to smartphones, computers, semiconductors and other electronics, according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release.
Paul Ashworth, an economist cited by The New York Times, called it a “partial de-escalation” of Trump’s ongoing trade war with China. The exemption applies to other countries as well if Trump enacts more tariffs. However, it doesn’t affect earlier tariffs Trump imposed on China, Mexico and Canada.
On Wednesday, a week after announcing reciprocal tariffs on roughly 90 countries, Trump lowered his proposed rate to a flat 10% and paused most of the tariffs for 90 days. The pause excluded those targeting China, which Trump increased to 125%. In response, China imposed an 84% tariff on U.S. imports.
The U.S. then hiked its tariff on China to 145%, prompting China to hit back with a 125% tariff. As the trade war escalated, China’s finance ministry said if Trump increases the tariffs any further, they wouldn’t respond. Instead, it would “go down as a joke in the history of world economics.”
