In times when no one can be sure if the US Department of Education will remain or not or what the consequences will be either way, it is important to stay calm and on track.  Of course, do all you can to reduce stress and enjoy every day as much as you can.

Professionally, make sure you document – on your private computer - all your important work progress, crucial emails, research findings, publications, student and supervisor feedback, and more.  This is good practice anyway.  You should never rely exclusively on continued access to your own work products on your institutional computers.  (Of course, stay within the rules of your institution for potential confidentiality re., e.g., student files).

Even if times seem threatening for academia, recall that your job performance, promotion, and retention are a matter of established procedure, constitutional law, contract law, etc.  Perform to the very best of your abilities and trust in the process, but document everything.  Make sure you meet deadlines.  Even better: try to be ahead of deadlines.  

Whether or not the DOE remains, you will still enjoy significant protections so long as you meet all the requirements placed on you.  

For legal assistance in relation to your academic career, please contact myanna.dellinger@gmail.com