MCC Daily Tribune
Federal Compliance Response Committee Update
Our Federal Compliance Response Committee (FCRC) continues to meet weekly to monitor and evaluate emerging and evolving compliance requirements. As an advisory body to me and the Executive Leadership Team, the FCRC has provided timely updates related to developments from federal, state, SUNY, and other governing bodies—including tracking Executive Orders as they are released.
As a reminder, Executive Orders are written directives that instruct government agencies to take action; they cannot override constitutional rights or federal laws. At Monroe Community College, we remain steadfast in complying with all statutory requirements as mandated by law. More importantly, we are committed to doing so in ways that reflect our values—responsible governance, transparency, and, above all, care for our students, employees, and community.
The FCRC plays a vital role in helping us anticipate and prepare for change. Recently, the committee discussed the significant impact that newly announced federal food assistance cuts could have on local food banks—including our valued partner, Foodlink—and the communities they serve. This may directly affect DWIGHT, our campus food pantry program that supports students, faculty, staff, and neighbors in need.
Though most of DWIGHT’s operations are funded by a generous $3.5 million grant from the Wegman Family Charitable Foundation, some of our programs still rely on federal and Foodlink grants. Cuts to these resources could place additional strain on our ability to meet growing needs. A recent survey conducted by The Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University revealed that 41% of MCC respondents reported experiencing limited or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate and safe food in the past 30 days. These numbers are sobering. Behind every data point is a student trying to focus in class while skipping meals, a parent choosing between tuition and groceries, or a staff member silently struggling to make ends meet.
We also recently learned that our long-standing AmeriCorps program—after 31 years of continuous funding—will no longer be supported. This program has graduated more than 3,000 members, with MCC hosting 10 active members and funding one full-time and one part-time staff role. These members served at the Rochester City School District and the University of Rochester. The loss of this funding is not just a bureaucratic shift; it is a tangible setback for our College and the broader community we serve. We are deeply grateful to all who have participated in this program and mourn the loss of such a meaningful pipeline of civic service and community engagement.
The pace and volume of change facing higher education institutions nationwide is staggering. To help us all stay current, the FCRC is developing a centralized webpage with updates on compliance requirements, proposed changes, and responses from respected organizations like SUNY, the American Association of Community Colleges, and the Association of Governing Boards. We hope this resource will serve as a proper anchor amid the turbulence. The webpage will be available within the week.
As these challenges unfold, I want to acknowledge the uncertainty and stress they may cause. I also want you to know that your leadership, resilience, and compassion are making a difference. I have heard from many of you about your concerns for our students and our colleagues—I am grateful for people taking the time to listen to and be there for each other. Our strength lies in our ability to comply with new policies and in how we respond with humanity.
We are being tested—not just in our agility but also in our empathy. Let’s continue to show up for each other, our students, and our community. Thank you for your tireless commitment to our mission.
DeAnna Burt-Nanna
Office of the President
05/08/2025