Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri has become the latest US university to halt major construction projects as the Trump administration sows confusion over funding.
It hit pause on a project to build a 110,000-square-foot, two-story Arts & Sciences building last autumn, and an ambitious landscaping project begun early this year.
“We regret that it’s necessary to take these actions, but in our current climate, it is simply not prudent to continue with these projects as scheduled,” Chancellor Andrew D. Martin said.
“We are always careful stewards of the university’s resources, but at this time, given the uncertainty around federal research funding and other potential government actions, we have to take a careful look at every aspect of our operations.
“We hope that once we have a clearer sense of the financial picture, we may be able to revisit some of these investments.”
The move follows the University of Arizona’s decision last month to halt work on an estimated $300m biomedical research hub in downtown Phoenix as the Trump administration slashes university funding.
The chancellor added: “We know we are resilient and we will weather this storm as we always do – together, and with concern for one another and WashU, the institution that means so much to us all.”
The landscaping project was meant to create more green space for students, with trees and pathways connecting the north and south sides of campus.
Work was to start in earnest this summer and be completed in 2028. Now, crews will remove fencing.
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