Responses to federal policy changes and effects on higher education
Many of you were able to vote in your first presidential election this year, and you attended two debates on campus discussing the presidential candidates and policy stances of both candidates. You also attended Balletpalooza, and Vanderbilt was recognized for its work in engaging you and your peers to vote. President Donald Trump was projected the winner of the election on Nov. 6, 2024, and took office on Jan. 20, and you reflected on the results before his inauguration.
The entrance to Ballotpalooza, as photographed on Sept. 17, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/Faiza Islam)
On the day of his inauguration, Trump signed an executive order calling for an end to all government diversity, equity and inclusion programs. By early February, VUMC was instructed to remove all references of DEI and associated phrases from their website, and Vanderbilt’s Student Center for Social Justice and Identity was renamed the Student Center for Belonging and Communities. VUMC eventually ended all its DEI programs in response. Additionally, on Jan. 20, Trump passed an executive order that halted the hiring of federal civilian employees, and many graduating seniors expressed concerns about finding a job, while some reported having their job offers rescinded. On Jan. 27, the federal government put a temporary pause on federally funded loans and grants, leading the university to introduce limitations on graduate student admissions at the school-level. The Hustler found that many of the university’s and VUMC’s responses to the Trump administration’s DEI orders were premature given that both are private institutions. The Department of Education is investigating Vanderbilt as one of 45 universities that are allegedly violating Title VI of the Civil Rights Act by “illegally” discriminating against students through the PhD Project.
The cuts to DEI programs affected many research projects at Vanderbilt funded by the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation. Senator Ted Cruz flagged 15 NSF grants awarded to Vanderbilt as promoting DEI, and labs such as the LGBTQ+ Policy Lab lost funding. In response, Chancellor Daniel Diermeier and Vice Provost C. Cybele Raver emailed the Vanderbilt community to address the NIH’s cuts to funding “indirect costs” and its impacts on research at Vanderbilt, and Raver served as a declarant in a lawsuit to block the cap on indirect costs.
The Trump administration’s policies regarding immigration have your peers concerned about their safety. Although Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have not been seen on Vanderbilt’s campus, students continue to share their concerns surrounding the issue. International students are being told to be careful of what they post on social media and other tips to maintain their immigration statuses.
Some of your peers believe the university is not doing enough to fight against the Trump administration, including the university not signing a letter, co-signed by other top university administrators, that criticizes the federal government’s policies threatening federal education and research funding. Diermeier told The Hustler that the university is working with peer institutions to find solutions and emphasized the importance of American research institutions, like Vanderbilt, on public life. Arguments have also been made to change what characteristics are emphasized in admitting students to universities in an effort to preserve diversity in universities, especially as you’ve seen a decline in the first-year class’ racial diversity following the ban on affirmative action.
A sign reading "Science not silence" with an image of Ms. Frizzle from "The Magic School Bus," as photographed on March 7, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Isabella Bautista)
Protest and advocacy
After last year’s activism regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, the university updated the student handbook’s policies regarding freedom of expression, banning camping or sleeping on campus property and limiting the use of installations and art for protest purposes. Amid these changes, student representatives of Students Supporting Israel, ‘Dores for Israel and Vanderbilt Divest Coalition told The Hustler that they planned to continue their advocacy efforts for their respective causes. A survey conducted by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression ranked Vanderbilt No. 140 in terms of the quality of free speech at U.S. universities.
Two students who were arrested and expelled after taking part in the sit-in at Kirkland Hall in spring 2024 pled guilty to misdemeanor assault charges and were sentenced to probation. A judge found probable cause for the misdemeanor assault charges against the third arrested student, but his charges were later dropped.
LEFT: Black-and-white photograph of candles arranged as a Star of David, photographed on Oct. 7, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/ George Albu) | RIGHT: Black-and-white photograph of West End Tower with smoke in the foreground at a pro-Palestinian demonstration, photographed on Oct. 7, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/ George Albu)
Although the new policies allegedly limited the capacity for protests on campus, you went out to Centennial Park to protest the continued violence in Gaza one year after Oct. 7, 2023, with Students for Justice in Palestine, and you attended a vigil held by Vanderbilt Chabad, DFI and SSI to honor Oct. 7, 2023, victims and hostages.
Graduate students continued protesting for their rights by filing a petition for union election despite the university’s continued disapproval of their unionization efforts. Divinity School students advocated for recognition of the importance of their work after alleged comments, made by Divinity School Dean Yolanda Pierce, claimed teaching assistants were willingly doing their jobs “for their own growth.”
You continued to protest against guest speakers on campus. Vanderbilt Young Americans for Freedom hosted Ben Shapiro, and Vanderbilt Student Government hosted former American Civil Liberties Union President Nadine Strossen on the same night as a counter event. Vanderbilt’s Jewish Voice for Peace protested the presence of Jonathan Greenblatt, chief executive officer of the Anti-Defamation League, who was hosted by Dialogue Vanderbilt.
You rallied for state and national reform amid local incidents and national policy changes. Gun violence continued to be an issue this year following the fatal shootings at Antioch High School and Florida State University. You joined Students Demand Action following the Antioch shooting to advocate for gun reform at the Tennessee capitol building. You also attended a rally against Trump to criticize his cabinet nominations, as well as his policies on gun violence, civil and queer rights, immigration and reproductive freedom. A second rally attended by your peers protested Trump’s executive orders to cut the federal workforce and halt federal funding of scientific research. A third gathering at Centennial Park saw protesters rallying against policies initiated by Trump and Elon Musk, the head of the Department of Government Efficiency.
Two demonstrators holding up signs at "Rally for Antioch", as photographed on Jan. 27, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Miguel Beristain)
Year in cancellations
This year, you anticipated many fun events that unfortunately fell through. In the fall, the annual philanthropy concert Lights on the Lawn was canceled due to weather and safety concerns. You then looked forward to seeing NLE Choppa headline Rites of Spring during the spring semester, only to be disappointed to hear he would no longer perform due to dehydration and exhaustion. The entire event was canceled the following day due to inclement weather, and many of your peers expressed dismay at the lack of campus concerts this school year.
Although the weather caused the cancellation of two of the biggest events of the academic year, you also got one day of administrative leave due to the snow. With 5 inches of snow falling on campus, you and your peers built snowmen, had snowball fights and enjoyed a nice, cold day without classes.
Barrie Barto, 2024-25 Editor-in-Chief
✦ TROJAK: You need to take an anthropology class
As someone who took their first anthropology class as a senior, I wish I had this article to read my first year at Vanderbilt. I was always unsure what classes I should take for fun when filling in my schedule, and though Dr. Tiffany Fracchia’s Forensic Science, Genocide and Human Rights was heavy, it also provided insightful conversations on human rights crises and the role of forensics in them. Kristina Trojak’s first anthropology experience and her article perfectly exemplify how the Opinion section opens a window to new perspectives on campus.
Jorie Fawcett, 2024-25 Senior Adviser
✦ Meet the VandyGirls: Vanderbilt alumni find community in local assisted living community
The older we get, the more and more alumni we know. They’re usually our friends, former hallmates or even family members. However, we rarely have the opportunity to connect with Nashville-locals and older Vanderbilt alumni. We had the opportunity to interview a group of proud VandyGirls living in a local assisted living facility. They laughed and shared sweet memories of their time on campus. Meeting them made me proud to be a Commodore and showed me the importance of connecting with alumni across generations.
Tasfia Alam, 2024-25 Managing Editor
✦ Walking among the stars: Exploring the ubiquitous campus character
I find myself smiling ear-to-ear every time I read this piece. It is so wholesome, and it makes me reflect on the campus celebrities I’ve encountered during my four years at Vanderbilt. Deputy Life Editor Corey Lochan did a fantastic job gathering all the student anecdotes, and I think it is relatable to everyone who chooses to read it.
Rhea Patney, 2024-25 Managing Editor
✦ Robert Stiner: From the ground up
This piece, written by Sports Editor Aiden Rutman, featured Vanderbilt Football’s strength coach Robert Stiner. I love pieces that highlight behind-the-scenes personnel who heavily impact a program, and Rutman did a beautiful job of sharing Stiner’s story. I nominated it for a Best of SNO award the minute I read it, and it won!
Alison Winters, Spring 2025 News Editor
✦ University denies funding to complete the work of late Professor John Janusek, colleagues continue his projects
This piece, by Staff Writers Devon Super and Spencer George, is one of my favorite investigative news stories from this past year. I remember going back and forth with Devon and Spencer as they worked on this piece for months, and all of their hard work really paid off. This is a beautiful tribute to the late Professor John Janusek and a really interesting exploration into the world of anthropological research. Devon and Spencer put a lot of time and effort into ensuring this piece was thorough and accurate, and it is a great read that stands out from our typical news coverage.
Daniela Aguilar, 2024-25 Life Editor
✦ Nailing it: Julia Lee’s campus side hustle
This piece, written by Staff Writer Elena Parisi, was one of my absolute favorites! I love reading student profiles and learning more about the people in our Vandy community. Elena did a wonderful job of highlighting Julia’s talent, ambition and — most importantly — her story. The quotes she included were amazing, and I love the narrative feel she gave to the piece.
Aiden Rutman, 2024-25 Sports Editor
✦ RUTMAN: Broadway can wait, Vanderbilt Football can’t
The article I am most proud of – I wrote about the importance of supporting Vanderbilt Football during a pivotal time in its season. I’ve not often delved into the critical side of op-eds, but this one has been brewing for four years. I’ve always been so disappointed in the athletic culture at Vanderbilt, and this article was my way of telling the fans to “do better” because they really let all our teams down for the majority of my four years here.
Brina Ratangee, 2024-25 Editorial Director
✦ ‘Unconditional love’: Remembering Dean K.C. Potter
This may be one of my favorite pieces ever! It’s said that the journey is better than the destination, but with this piece, I really felt that. From the moment we heard the sad news of Dean Potter’s passing, I had the opportunity to essentially travel through time and get to speak with many of those who knew him and whom he positively impacted — from former administrators to those nearest and dearest to him. Though I wasn’t on campus when he was, I got to experience some of that Dean Potter joy and be one small part of his ever-expanding legacy.
Jacob Stoebner, Fall 2025 News Editor
✦ How Vanderbilt’s Kirkland Hall sit-in and encampment influenced last semester’s wave of pro-Palestine protests
This article was a massive undertaking, and the hard work of four incredible editors truly paid off. They brought the story of protests at Vanderbilt into a national context and used an enormous data set to demonstrate Vanderbilt’s unique role in the nationwide campus protests last spring. This is an excellent example of how to report on national news while keeping Vanderbilt at the center of the coverage. The engaging data visualizations and wide range of interviews make this article a treat to read and relevant to any audience.
You noticed academic changes
Four new minors were announced this year: STEM Education, national security, sports and society and legal studies. Vanderbilt also announced the creation ofthe Center for Computational Systems Biology and received a $25 million gift for the new College of Connected Computing. Additionally, the university launched the Institute of National Security, which aims to engage faculty from across the university to address national security concerns and develop leaders in the field. Two minors also moved homes, with the data science minor moving to the School of Engineering and the business minor moving to Owen Business School.
Vanderbilt also announced changes in buildings, funding and the pre-first year project. Stevenson 6 will be torn down, Next Steps received a 2.3 million dollar grant to support apprenticeship programs and first-years will now complete an interview project rather than summer reading. A record number of students — 1,100 — also took PSCI 1150 U.S. Elections, a political science elective taught every four years.
During the year, many reflected on their past, present and future. Students wrote about making the right career choice, finding hobbies, fear of missing out, pursuing passions and having an identity crisis.
Mitch McConnell, Lamar Alexander, and John Meacham on stage speaking to the U.S. Elections course, photographed on Nov. 7, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/Ophelia Lu)
You recognized the achievements of numerous faculty members and students
You welcomed the arrival of 10 new faculty members into a variety of roles. You met six new faculty heads of residential colleges and a new director of the Health Professions Advisory Office. You read interviews with the new assistant vice chancellor of the New York City Vanderbilt campus and the reappointed dean of Peabody College. You also heard news about the new vice chancellor for administration and the new associate dean of students for belonging and communities.
The national and international communities recognized several of your professors and Vanderbilt alumni for their scientific and artistic contributions. Blair professor Pascal Le Boeuf won his first Grammy Award, professors Kevian Stassun and Larry Bartels were awarded the National Medal of Science by President Joe Biden and professor and Blair adjunct professor Jeff Coffin was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Nobel Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus (Ph.D. ‘71) became the interim leader of Bangladesh, John Jumper (B.S. ‘07) won the 2024 Nobel Prize in chemistry and Jake Aronskind (B.A. ‘19) and Andrew Roth (B.S. ‘21) were named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
Your peers also brought home awards for their accomplishments, including a bronze medal by the dance team at the 2025 National Dance Alliance College Nationals and a gold medal by the women’s rowing team at the American Collegiate Rowing Association National Championships. The Hustler also won 35 awards at the fall National College Media Convention, and one of your peers competed on “Jeopardy!” in the spring.
You appreciated 103 concerts in Music City
Music City was alive in 2024 and 2025, featuring concerts with Post Malone, Glass Animals, Chris Stapleton, Noah Kahan, Vampire Weekend and Wallows, among others. Hustler staffers covered 103 concerts, spanning genres from pop, rock, country and more. Other artists like Briston Maroney, Jessica Baio and Katie Gavin made a name for themselves across Nashville.
LEFT: Matt Shultz singing, as photographed on Sept. 1, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/Olivia Noell) | MIDDLE: Mina Walker looking up at Kelley Dugan at the East Room, as photographed on April 14, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Jo Anderson) | RIGHT: Michael Belazis of Oliver Hazard strums his acoustic guitar, as photographed on Jan. 31, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Harmony Wang)
You enjoyed music and dance on campus
Many of the student performances in 2024 and 2025 showcased the diversity of talents on Vanderbilt’s campus. The Hustler covered 10 performances. Students took to the stage to perform as part of various campus dance groups, including Vitality Dance Company, Vandy Folklórico and Vanderbilt Ballet — the latter of which performed its annual rendition of “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 7. Vanderbilt’s theatrical student organizations also hosted various musicals throughout 2024 and 2025. The Original Cast performed student-crafted shows such as “Pretending,” while Vanderbilt Off-Broadway put on "Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” and “Company.” Audience members laughed as they watched Tongue ‘N’ Cheek and cried as they watched Harmonic Notion’s emotional Spring performance.
Silhouette of Vitality members performing “Cell Block Tango,” captured on Nov. 20, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/Urmika Nandwani)
Through 27 in-depth lists and guides, you explored self-care, opportunities in Nashville and more
You learned how to journal, sleep well, upgrade your living space, shop sustainably and improve your business attire. You discovered Nashville’s volunteer opportunities, best sweet treats, festivals and pumpkin patches. You found protein options for vegetarians, mixed winter mocktails and explored your personal style.
You heard from the Vanderbilt community via 19 guest editorials
You read about the Israel-Palestine conflict and how it is still affecting students. You learned about graduate student unions from the voices of graduate students, new regulations on higher education from the voices of VUMC staff and how Vanderbilt has handled assault through the voice of a survivor. You have also read about weed-out classes, AI, legacy admissions, overachieving and being your truest self from Vanderbilt students and faculty.
You explored multimedia content
You played 18 Crosswords and 5 Jigsaws this year with the Hustler’s inaugural games section. You also watched 14 plan your week videos on our Instagram and learned about the varied events happening on campus.
The Hustler published 11 photos of the week collections, exploring weeks in September, November and February. The Hustler also published 66 stories “In Photos,” looking at topics from the first day of class and fall break to Thanksgiving and winter break.
LEFT: Student looks down at computer on Wilson lawn, shot in front of law school building, as photographed on Oct. 9, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/Abby Hoelscher) | RIGHT: A father and son test the newly updated bike from the makeathon, as photographed on Oct. 27, 2024 (Hustler Multimedia/Alessandra Salvini).
You saw three field and court storms
Vanderbilt Football started off a school year full of storms when it defeated No. 1 Alabama, 40-35, in the program’s first-ever upset of a top-ranked team. Fans stormed the field at FirstBank Stadium, tore down the goalpost and marched it all the way to the Cumberland River.
Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball followed suit on Jan. 18 against No. 6 Tennessee with a 76-75 victory. If that wasn’t enough, head coach Mark Byington and Co. took down No. 9 Kentucky just one week later on Jan. 25.
Vanderbilt University was fined $100,000, $250,000 and $500,000 for the three events and eventually enacted a new policy for post-game celebrations in Memorial Gymnasium.
A trip to the bowling alley
Vanderbilt Football rode the momentum from its Alabama win — along with victories over Virginia Tech, Alcorn State, Kentucky, Ball State and Auburn — to a Birmingham Bowl selection.
Losses to Georgia State, Missouri, Texas, South Carolina, LSU and Tennessee didn’t slow the ‘Dores down.
The Commodores got matched up with an old rival, Georgia Tech, in the Birmingham Bowl. Despite the Yellow Jackets’ powerful offense and stinging defense, the Black and Gold cruised to a 35-27 victory, capping off a historic season in the best way possible.
Double dancing
Vanderbilt Men's and Women’s Basketball both returned to the NCAA Tournament in 2025, the first time both teams made the Big Dance in the same season since 2013.
The men suffered a heartbreaking 59-56 loss to Saint Mary’s in the Round of 64 as second-half woes and Saint Mary’s size and rebounding were too much for Byington’s group.
The women’s loss, which came just hours after, wasn’t any easier. A 77-73 loss to Oregon in the first round ended the Commodores’ season as the bench couldn’t get going and their comeback bid fell short.
Still, both seasons were special for fans in Memorial Gymnasium. The men revitalized previously lost magic, winning five ranked games against AP Top 25 opponents in Tennessee, Kentucky, Ole Miss, Texas A&M and Missouri and the women took, another step forward, sweeping their season series against Tennessee.
We didn't hold back
From calling football fans to action to praising both basketball head coaches, as well as administrators, our staff didn’t bite their tongues when it came to sports opinions.
The fans’ love was revitalized this year. It started after the Alabama win and continued after the weekend sweep that saw the men and women’s basketball teams defeat Tennessee.
We didn’t shy away from hard-hitting topics, either. We questioned why fans only showed up for men’s sports, pointed out problems with the student section, broke down the transfer portal and brought the VandyBoys’ struggles to light.
Vanderbilt's Chris Maldonado stepping forward, as photographed on Feb. 18, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Barrie Barto)
LEFT: Mikayla Blakes defends the ball from Lipscomb's Molly Heard, as captured on Nov. 4, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/Savannah Walske) | RIGHT: Lipscomb's #3 slides in to intercept a kick, photographed on Nov. 15, 2024. (Hustler Multimedia/ George Albu)
Record-breaking Blakes
You know her, we know her; Mikayla Blakes is already cementing a special legacy on West End. The first-year guard took college basketball by storm in 2025, dropping 53 points against Florida and 55 against Auburn, both of which were Vanderbilt records, SEC records and NCAA Freshman records.
She was later selected as the SEC Freshman of the Year, the USBWA National Freshman of the Year and a consensus All-American.
Strangers to friends
Our staff got to know athletes from all of Vanderbilt’s sports. We sat down with Diego Pavia, CJ Taylor, Randon Fontenette, Brock Taylor, Jesse Mirco, Langston Patterson, Eli Stowers, Austin Howard and De’Rickey Wright.
We spoke with the hardwood heroes, too — Jane Nwaba, Madison Greene, Sacha Washington, Jason Edwards, Devin McGlockton and AJ Hoggard.
We also broke down film of players, learning more about former Vanderbilt stars Jack Leiter, Kumar Rocker and Bryce Cunningham, as well as current players Pavia, RJ Austin, JD Thompson and Tyler Tanner.
We went beyond just the field, hardwood and diamond, though, learning about athletes from Vanderbilt’s non-revenue sports. The Hustler sat down with Ellie Wolski, Zach Hodges, Victoria Varano, Célia-Belle Mohr, Addie Porter, Sara Wojdelko, Santana Spearman, Isabella Bareford, Ryan Downes, Henry Ruger, Sara Im and Megan Ciezczak.
