Yesterday’s government shutdown will not leave universities unaffected, but the initial impact will be minimal.

Student financial aid will be unaffected for a shutdown that lasts only a few days, as will research grants with funding already in progress, WSU President Elson S. Floyd said in a written statement Tuesday afternoon.

However, if the shutdown lasts longer, impacts could be greater, Floyd said. In the statement, he listed possible delays in delivery of student aid, announcements for new grant initiatives and applications and the delivery of formula funding from federal departments as possible side effects of a long-term shutdown.

There are some federal employees who work on the WSU campus who will be impacted, Floyd said.

“All USDA employees will be put on furlough, other than those specifically excepted, which means ARS employees at WSU will be put on furlough,” he said.

When the government shuts down, all nonessential personnel are furloughed, meaning not paid, for the duration. This shutdown occurred when U.S. House Republicans and Senate Democrats were unable to come to an agreement on terms involving raising the debt ceiling. House Republicans suggested holding back Obamacare in legislation to raise the debt ceiling. Senate Democrats rejected this proposal, and the government closed.

WSU Government Relations is optimistic that this will be a short shutdown, lasting through the week and possibly into the weekend, according to a statement they released Tuesday.

“At the end of the day, it is likely Republicans will give and take the fight to another issue, because Senate Dem’s and the President are not going to cave on changing, not funding or slowing down Obamacare,” according to the statement.

This is the first shutdown since 1996.