Stanford University has laid off 363 employees, nearly 2% of its workforce, citing budget cuts driven by Trump-era policies, including reduced federal research funding and a steep endowment tax hike. The $140 million budget reduction impacts over 200 departments. Severance and support are being provided.
Officials warn the tax hike could slash annual income by $750 million. A hiring freeze remains, with limited exceptions.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration froze $330M in UCLA funding over campus protests. Critics say such actions threaten academic freedom and conflate activism with antisemitism.