Students and WashU community members protested the University’s engagement with the Trump administration on Oct. 10, 2025. (Bri Nitsberg | Managing Photo Editor)

It can be overwhelming to consider the many challenges that the WashU community, the U.S., and the world faced over the fall and will face in the new year. However, the events of this past semester gave us concrete evidence of our capacity to make meaningful change.

At WashU, there were increased layoffs, goodbyes, and calls for resignation. Medical Campus research remains in a precarious position with National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding. We faced the possible consolidation of six unique and independent Arts & Sciences departments. In every one of these events, however, the WashU community made its voice heard. Faculty, students, and staff communicated their wishes to the WashU administration through measures such as the protests for increased financial transparency and students’ calls to support faculty. 

A common thread stitching these examples together is the shared consciousness of current events and challenges in and outside of WashU. You may recall these headlines being conversation topics in Olin Library, the DUC, or your common room. This semester, the WashU social scene was tuned in to the important goings on, and rightfully so. Students, faculty, and staff’s understanding and discussion of the events and policies impacting the community led students, faculty, and staff to advocate for change, which resulted in positive outcomes.

Departments met to discuss the potential reorganization of the six Arts & Sciences departments. As faculty and students shared and discussed their many concerns with the proposal, the task force set up to consider the consolidation was disbanded. 

The WashU administration responded to calls for financial transparency, namely disclosing the price of Workday and addressing concerns about NIH funding cuts, as they strengthened their lobbying efforts in the federal government and encouraged the WashU community to do so as well. 

Chancellor Andrew D. Martin rejected the Trump administration’s proposed higher education compact, staying true to our institution’s values. Students and faculty played a key role in the University’s decision not to sign the compact. WashU’s Faculty Senate Council not only weighed and examined countless opinions from their colleagues, but they also synthesized those sentiments in communications with Martin and stood with students on the issue. Among widespread disapproval of the compact by the WashU community, the University affirmed its commitment to quality education at any cost and its values of inclusivity and academic freedom.

The fall semester goes to show that while students, faculty, and staff are not the arbiters of WashU actions or policy, our opinions on them carry weight. 

There is no telling what 2026 holds for the world, the U.S., the University, and each of us individually. Right now, it can feel like anything is on the table — and not in a starry-eyed, hopeful way. Student Life is also wary of what could be hurtling down the pike. 

Going forward, Student Life encourages the WashU community to keep advocating. Keep raising your voices. Keep in mind the power of your presence, opinion, and actions.

Staff editorials reflect the opinion of the majority of our editorial board members. The editorial board operates independently of our newsroom and includes members of the senior staff.

Zoe Rhodes | Managing DEI Editor

Sylvie Richards | Managing Forum Editor

Amelia Raden | Senior Forum Editor

David Ciorba  | Senior Forum Editor

River Alsalihi | Senior Forum Editor

Kate Theerman Rodriguez | Senior Forum Editor

Lyn Wilkins | Junior Forum Editor

Matt Eisner | Managing Sports Editor

Hannah Much | Junior Sports Editor

Anna Crook | Junior Sports Editor

Will Rosenblum | Managing Scene Editor 

Elizabeth Grieve | Senior Scene Editor

Hannah La Porte | Junior Scene Editor

Bea Augustine | Managing Design Editor

AnaElda Ramos | Managing Illustration Editor

Bri Nitsberg | Managing Photo Editor

Mason Sutton | Special Issues Editor

Sophia Hellman | Senior Scene Editor