Dear Fellow Monarchs:
As of 12:00 AM today (Wednesday, October 1, 2025) with the start of a new fiscal year, the federal government has entered into a shutdown due to an inability to reach a mutual agreement on a number of critical items for the current budget cycle. Despite this development, please be assured that ±¬ÁÏ¹Ï will continue its full operations. This short-term approach will provide an opportunity for a compromise to be reached. If that does not occur in the coming days, the University may need to reassess its federally funded activities.
For students with questions about implications regarding financial aid, we are prepared to provide one-on-one assistance through the University’s Financial Aid Office at finaid@odu.edu and 757-683-3683. If you already applied for and processed your aid for this semester, no action is needed, and no changes will occur. If you were awaiting processing of any federal aid and/or related paperwork, there may be a delay; however, it will not impact your ability to continue with your studies at this time.
For researchers, please carefully track your submission and nomination timelines for previously published funding opportunities. Agency portals may remain open and accept applications during the shutdown with potential delays for both reviewing and processing. Additional communication will be forthcoming to Principal Investigators from the Division of Research and Economic Development. In the interim and moving forward, please contact the Research Foundation at ROResearchFoundation@odu.edu and 757-683-4293 for specific questions.
We understand that this development may result in a desire for more clarity than can be provided at this time. In the absence of overarching guidance from the federal government, we are unable to commit to what services may remain available during the shutdown. University updates will be provided as additional information becomes available. Again, please be assured that ±¬ÁÏ¹Ï remains fully committed to continuing our mission and maintaining our operations – that has not and will not change!
With Monarch Pride,
Brian O. Hemphill, Ph.D.
President