Dear students,
I know many of our F-1 visa international students are concerned with recent from the federal government that may affect their ability to study in the United States. To be clear, the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s aim is for all students to begin or continue their academic journey at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø without disruption. International students are cherished members of our university community and we recognize that many of you are coping with unique challenges as a result of COVID-19.
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø plans to resume classes for the fall semester under a hybrid instructional model with precautions in place to provide a healthy environment for teaching and learning, in the classroom and online. We are committed to ensuring that our F-1 students are enrolled in courses that meet immigration requirements. The recent statements from the Scholar and Exchange Visitor Program are extremely unsettling, but at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø, we are committed to supporting international students — regardless of whether you join us on campus or find it necessary to remain abroad for the fall semester. All international students have received, and will continue to receive, communications from ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø World and International Admissions that provide further guidance regarding fall enrollment and opportunities for Q&A sessions. Most importantly, no ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø international student is being asked to leave the country as a result of the federal government’s announcement. On the contrary, we enthusiastically support your decision to pursue a degree at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø.
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø’s course schedule for fall 2020 will be released later this month and we will actively work with academic programs across our campuses to ensure that international students’ course schedules meet immigration requirements. In case you have not seen the recent message from the Office of International Services, I encourage you to review it. ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø World’s FAQs are also a resource for important information.
In addition, ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø has contacted our representatives in Washington, D.C., to express our concerns and to request action that will protect international students during these unprecedented times. Like many institutions, we have very serious reservations about the federal statement issued this week and we pledge to keep you updated as we seek greater clarity.
ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is here to support you! ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø is proud of its commitment to global engagement and your presence among our student body is a point of pride for the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø community.
Sincerely,
Steven C. Currall
President and Professor