How the Government Shutdown affects Texas State Research and International Travel

By Jissela Cabrera

Assistant Director of News

SAN MARCOS — Texas State officials addressed the impact of the ongoing U.S. government shutdown on research and international travel at the university.

The shutdown, which began Oct. 1, halted numerous federal services. However, Texas State officials said classes will continue as scheduled.

According to Jayme Blaschke, assistant director of media relations, there have been no changes to international travel services, including those managed by Texas State’s Travel Office, International Student and Scholar Services, and Education Abroad.

Shreekanth Mandayam, Ph.D., vice president of Texas State’s Division of Research, said the university’s research portfolio remains secure, with federally funded projects continuing as usual. However, he noted that the shutdown slows the process for future awards and may affect the division’s upcoming research portfolio.

“We are about $180 million in annual research expenditures, and I’d say about half of that comes from the federal government,” said Mandayam. “The remaining half comes from the state and institutional support and private industry.”

Mandayam explained that research expenses are reimbursed rather than paid upfront, and this reimbursement process is managed electronically.

“So, every month we submit bills to the federal government saying, we spent this much on this particular research project that you have funded us, give us our money back,” said Mandayam.

He referred to this process as a “drawdown,” conducted through an online portal that remains fully operational.

“People are getting paid, people are buying equipment, buying supplies, and people are traveling,” said Mandayam. “So, all of those things are continuing as normal because we are able to draw down.”

Mandayam added that new project proposals continue to be submitted, but any work requiring federal staff review is currently on hold. This includes “no cost extensions,” which are requests for time extensions on projects.

“The systems are open so that we can draw down the money which we spend, but the people are offline so we cannot reach out to people and ask for information because they are not working,” said Mandayam.

He expressed hope the shutdown will end soon to avoid further delays in future research projects and awards.

“The major risk is the administrative delay, not a disruption of research, as there may be temporary gaps in new revenue coming into the university from research,” said Mandayam.

“Our research enterprise is very robust and resilient, we are very proud of our faculty and students, and I think they should continue what they’re doing so magnificently so.”