The university has had to cut $140 million from its general funds budget this year, a move largely attributed to Trump administration policies, including the increase of the university's endowment tax from 1.

Stanford University will lay off at least 363 employees this fall as part of $140 million in budget cuts driven by rising costs and changes in federal funding policies, including a steep revision to the endowment tax.

In the letter, Stanford University cited “ongoing economic uncertainty,” looming federal cuts and rising operational costs as the reasons for the staffing cuts. The university has also made a $140 million budget cut in its general fund for the 2025-26 school year, as SFGATE previously reported.