University of Delaware outlines First State Promise and Southern Delaware plans and says research-site removal was a mistake

The University of Delaware presented its FY27 operating priorities to the Joint Finance Committee on Wednesday and addressed community concerns after a group of research materials were briefly taken offline during a program-website review.

President Laura Carlson framed UD’s appropriation request around three state-aligned goals: expand First State Promise aid to make UD more affordable for Delawareans, increase healthcare and teacher pipelines in Southern Delaware, and invest in related campus infrastructure. UD asked for a $2.5 million increase for First State Promise and outlined a $1.5 million package to expand nursing and teacher preparation in Southern Delaware (scholarships, faculty support and targeted instructional resources). Carlson asked the committee to view those operating requests in tandem with UD’s capital proposals to improve classroom, housing and convening spaces at the Hughes/Sharp research station and in Lewis.

Carlson also addressed reporting about a removal of materials from a UD program website. She said program websites were taken offline during a broader review of program web pages; one site contained academic materials that were unintentionally removed. "This was a mistake," Carlson told the committee. She said UD has worked to restore access and is committed to academic freedom and to restoring community trust. Carlson pledged follow-up actions to improve communication and to support affected students and faculty.

Committee members raised concerns about communication with students — especially international students and students of color — and asked UD to explain proactive protections for student privacy and continuity of instruction should federal immigration or grant compliance actions arise. Carlson acknowledged deficiencies in timing and communication and said the university would provide more information to students and the committee, while continuing to defend academic freedom and the university's research mission.

UD outlined additional asks tied to Southern Delaware workforce needs: scholarships for nursing and teacher candidates, faculty funding to deliver third-year coursework locally, and infrastructure planning to support clinical placements and student housing. Carlson said federal research-grant terminations have also constrained research capacity and that UD has used philanthropic continuity grants to sustain some affected faculty and graduate students while pursuing longer-term solutions.