Comment on OMB-2026-0034-0001

As Chief of Staff and Associate Vice President for External Relations at Trinity College, I have the privilege of helping steward an institution whose mission is grounded in the pursuit of knowledge, the preparation of engaged citizens, and the advancement of research that serves the public good. While my responsibilities are not primarily in research administration, I work closely with our faculty, students, and institutional leaders and have seen firsthand how federal investment in higher education strengthens not only our campus, but also our city, our state, and our nation's future workforce. I am submitting comments in opposition to the proposed revisions to 2 CFR Part 200 (Docket OMB-2026-0034) because the changes would impose significant new burdens on colleges and universities, create uncertainty that will discourage research and scholarly inquiry, and ultimately undermine the longstanding partnership between the federal government and institutions of higher education that has driven innovation, economic growth, and opportunity for generations.