Dear Students, Colleagues, and Friends,
I am writing to reaffirm our commitment at Simon’s Rock to the principles of equity and inclusion, extending to immigrant and international students, faculty, and staff. As President Botstein wrote over the weekend in response to the Executive Order of January 27, which limited entry to the United States for noncitizens from seven countries and barred entry for refugees, “We cannot…permit our country to return to the America First isolationism of the 1930s and redefine itself as a place of xenophobia, intolerance, and discrimination.”
We have verified that there are currently no Simon’s Rock students or employees overseas whose reentry to the U.S. has been delayed. Yet many in our diverse community, not only those with direct family connections in the countries specified in President Trump’s directive, may feel under attack for their faith, heritage, ethnicity, or immigration status. We will remain attentive to the broader implications of new and shifting immigration policy, and we will strive as always to provide services at Simon’s Rock that are constituted intentionally and inclusively for all students, faculty, staff, friends, and partners. Everyone in our community is and will remain equally valued and equally welcome.
Bard College at Simon’s Rock will not release information about students and employees regarding citizenship or immigration status unless required by law. We will provide free legal consultation to students who are concerned about whether they can visit their countries of origin or who are concerned about their status when traveling internationally.
This Thursday, February 2, President Botstein and Bard Professor and Journalist Mark Danner will discuss President Trump’s foreign and domestic policies in a public forum. This forum will be streamed at 7:00 p.m. in the Lecture Center by Speak Easy with a follow-up discussion. If you are unable to attend the telecast, you can view the forum through this link:
http://www.bard.edu/news/releases/pr/fstory.php?id=2866
On Monday, February 6, Laurel Scott, Simon’s Rock alumna and immigration attorney, will speak on campus about the several recent signed and draft Executive Orders that affect immigration, the legal contexts they fit into, how the Orders are expected to affect immigrant communities, and what the legal challenges are. This discussion will take place in the Clark Auditorium at 7:00 p.m.
I would also encourage students to talk with a member of the International Support Team here at Simon’s Rock. I’ve attached a contact list for members of the team. These individuals are monitoring the information from Homeland Security as it relates to those impacted by the January 27 Executive Order. They can answer questions and connect you to resources at the local and national levels.
Beyond campus, the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigration Law Center provide updated news and clear information about immigration rights and legal aid:
Finally, I will share that I have joined thousands of academics and college and university leaders in petitioning against the Executive Order. You can find the petition here:
https://notoimmigrationban.com/
More soon.
Warm wishes,
Ian