Faculty Senate supports UB’s commitment to protect non-U.S. citizens

Published November 15, 2018 This content is archived.

President Satish K. Tripathi has approved and promulgated a resolution from the Faculty Senate that support’s UB’s commitment to members of the university community who are not U.S. citizens.

The UB Faculty Senate Resolution to Protect Non-U.S. Citizen Members of the UB Community, the final version of which was approved by the senate on Oct. 16, supports Tripathi in his efforts to confirm UB’s commitment to being a “diverse and inclusive community that welcomes non-citizens.”

In the resolution, the senate affirms:

  • Tripathi’s letter to the UB community on Nov. 21, 2016, in which he states that university policies ensuring a campus community free of discrimination and harassment extend to all members of the community, including international students and scholars.
  • Tripathi’s joining other college and university presidents from across the country in signing a statement supporting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and undocumented immigrant students.
  • Tripathi’s January 2017 letter to the university community in which he confirms that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy characterizes college campuses as “sensitive locations,” meaning enforcement actions should not occur unless “necessitated by extraordinary circumstances.” He also states that UB Police will not routinely inquire about an individual’s immigration status “unless there has been an arrest.”

The resolution also supports the university’s efforts to provide access to counseling services for all students, provide housing to all students “without prejudice or discrimination,” and create “safe spaces” in which non-citizens can feel sure they will not face discrimination, harassment, criticism or other emotional or physical harm.

In addition, the resolution backs the Office of International Student Services in its work supporting non-U.S. citizen members of the university community, including through such efforts as International Education Week, the Provost’s Task Force on International Student Inclusion and Engagement, and the Immigration Update website.