| |
January 30, 2017
Students, Faculty, and Staff:
Fostering a culture of inclusion is a core value of Bowling Green State
University. Our University community is greatly enriched by our
international students and faculty, and by students who were admitted under
the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.
BGSU recognizes that a number of members of our University community face
uncertainty about their immigration status or U.S. visas. I want to assure
you that BGSU will do everything it can to support them and advocate on
their behalf.
Last Friday, President Trump issued a new executive order that, among other things, temporarily bans citizens of seven
countries from entering the United States. Like other universities across
the country, we are still evaluating the executive order and its
ramifications. We have reached out to affected students and advised them
not to make plans to leave the U.S. until there is more clarity on the
issue. Students, faculty or staff with questions can contact Marcia
Salazar-Valentine with International Programs and Partnerships at international@bgsu.edu or at 419-372-2247. The Counseling Center
is also available to provide support and resources.
BGSU will be advocating for affected students and all members of our
international community with our representatives in Congress and in
collaboration with Ohio's Inter-University Council, the Association of
American Universities, and other higher education organizations.
As some of you may know, DACA students are individuals who immigrated to
the U.S. as young children. They grew up here, but are not U.S. citizens.
Last month, I joined the presidents of the member institutions of Ohio's
Inter-University Council in
signing a letter of support for the bi-partisan Bridge Act
now before the U.S. Senate. The measure would provide university students
admitted under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program
with work authorization and provisional protected status from deportation.
While President Trump indicated last week in an interview with ABC News
that he is not interested in pursuing deportation or other actions against
DACA students, we will continue to monitor the situation. Passage of the
Bridge Act would ensure their legal status.
If you are interested in joining me in advocating for the adoption of the
Bridge Act, you may want to take advantage of
this tool
created by our colleagues at Rutgers University which will generate a
message of support to your representatives in Congress. I want to stress
that you are under no obligation to do so. You may not agree with the
proposed legislation or its intent, which is your right.
These are evolving issues and we will do our best to keep you informed
moving forward. In the meantime, let's work together to make all the
members of our University community feel welcome, safe and valued.
Regards,
Mary Ellen Mazey, Ph.D.
President
|
|
