URBANA, IL (Chambana Today) – A movement swept across the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) campus as local organizers hosted a rally as part of the nationwide Stand Up for Science 2025 campaign. The event, held at noon on Friday, was aimed at defending the integrity of scientific research, preserving funding, and supporting diversity within the scientific community.
Organizers’ Call to Action
A group of graduate students from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences in the College of ACES lead the charge in Champaign-Urbana, gathering not just university affiliates but also members of the local community who are deeply concerned about the erosion of support for science under the current administration. The rally featured speakers, including researchers directly impacted by recent policy changes, followed by a march through the UIUC campus.
The event began at the Alma Mater statue, located at the corner of Green and Wright Street in Urbana, and concluded at the iconic bell tower on the South Quad. Attendees heard from scientists, students, and faculty whose work and livelihoods have been threatened by cuts to scientific funding and policy changes at the federal level.
The importance of this movement cannot be overstated. As one of the event speakers, Dr. Alexander Scheeline. a Professor Emeritus of Chemistry explains, “We’re here to remind everyone that science isn’t just an academic pursuit—it’s a public good. The research done in labs, the studies conducted at universities like ours, directly impact every part of our daily lives. From healthcare and climate change to technological innovation, federal funding keeps these advancements moving forward. Without it, we face stagnation.”
Why It’s More Important Than Ever
The rally comes on the heels of several setbacks for the scientific community, particularly within the Trump Administration, which has proposed deep cuts to scientific research funding. With a focus on fiscal conservatism, the administration has targeted programs supporting everything from climate research to health innovation, threatening jobs and scientific progress across the nation.
“We have already seen firsthand the consequences of these cuts,” said Dr. Peter Goldsmith, director of the Soybean Innovation Lab and professor in ACES.at UIUC, who spoke at the rally. “I have colleagues who’ve been laid off because of reduced research funding. We’ve had programs canceled that were on the cusp of groundbreaking discoveries. It’s hard to watch your work disappear not because it lacks potential, but because of a political agenda that doesn’t value science.”
“For students like me, this is our future,” said Dana Green, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Illinois, leading a long-term monitoring project for critically endangered Indiana Bats, “Many of us came into this field because we wanted to make a difference. But when the rug is pulled out from under you—when you lose funding for your research projects, or your lab gets shut down—it’s hard to see how you’re going to make an impact. This rally is our way of saying we won’t give up without a fight.”
According to the organizers, the impact is not just financial—it’s cultural. The Trump Administration has also targeted diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, policies meant to foster a more inclusive scientific community. “Science needs to be accessible to everyone, regardless of race, gender, or background,” said Green. “If we let these initiatives be dismantled, we lose the diversity of thought and experience that drives innovation. The next big idea might never be heard if we don’t stand up for inclusion in the sciences.”
A Crucial Moment for the Future of Science
The stakes for scientific progress couldn’t be higher. Research and innovation fuel everything from life-saving medicine to advancements in sustainable agriculture. At a time when humanity faces some of its most daunting challenges—climate change, pandemics, and food insecurity—many organizers argue that federal support for scientific research is more crucial than ever.
The rally also serves as an important reminder to the public about the human side of scientific work. Organizers are not just advocating for funding but for the well-being of scientists and researchers who are under increasing pressure as their fields of study come under attack. This includes students who depend on research positions, grants, and fellowships to further their careers.
The March and Rally
After the speeches, the rally will transition into a march across the campus. The march route, which can be viewed at tinyurl.com/3uyzb4zk, will lead participants from the Alma Mater statue to the bell tower, symbolizing the unity between students, faculty, and the Champaign-Urbana community in their fight for science.
The event has garnered significant attention from local and national media, and organizers expect hundreds of people to participate. “We want to send a clear message that Champaign-Urbana stands with science,” said Green. “This isn’t just about defending our jobs; this is about defending our future. Science is for everyone.”
What’s at Stake
The broader goals of the Stand Up for Science 2025 movement include securing and expanding scientific funding, ending political interference and censorship in research, and protecting the values of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in scientific fields. The movement’s nationwide goals have been met with broad support from students, researchers, and educators, but with the stakes high, rally participants are calling on lawmakers to take immediate action.
“We need action, not just words,” said Scheeline. “We need to see funding restored, and we need policies that protect the integrity of our work. Scientists can’t afford to be silenced. The public deserves better, and it’s up to us to make our voices heard.”