University of Connecticut President Radenka Maric and Provost Anne D’Alleva released a statement on UConn Today explaining how the university is responding to the Trump administration’s recent executive orders and federal actions.
The statement explained that directives and information are rapidly arriving and changing, so the school needs “time to evaluate and react.”
“We are best served by thoroughly and methodically determining the facts and then what steps we must take going forward so that we can give our faculty, staff, and students clear and accurate information, guidance, and support,” the message said.
The statement gave a few preliminary answers to “the most frequent questions” on the university’s policies in light of new executive actions.
In terms of immigration, UConn directed students to previous guidelines about university protocols. The Department of Homeland Security has not yet issued new protocols after eliminating their policy that stopped immigration authorities from focusing on schools and places of worship. UConn’s statement qualifies that “it is unknown how future protocols may impact higher education or healthcare institutions.”
UConn’s current policies confirm that UConn police will not ask people about their immigration status or detain people based on a belief about their immigration status. They also say that UConn, including its police force, must comply with any arrest warrants or order from the court.
The statement said the university has also been fielding questions about the potential of immigration authorities seeking out a student on campus.
“While this is not likely to happen, in part because pursuant to federal law UConn is prohibited from and would not provide information about a student’s class schedule or classroom location, in the event it does, we encourage faculty or staff to contact the UConn Police Department and/or the Office of the General Counsel,” the message said.
The statement also acknowledges that diversity, equity and inclusion could be affected at UConn, but “the extent of this is not yet fully understood.” The university will continue to be compliant with laws that prohibit discriminatory practices, according to the statement.
“The executive orders contain other language that require further analysis before any potential impact on UConn can be determined,” the statement said. “As we move forward, UConn will continue to support and value every member of our community.”
The message said university leaders are still analyzing federal directives that could affect funding for research and “expect more guidance from the federal government in the coming days.”
Maric and D’Alleva emphasized in the statement that the university would remain firm in its values and continue to work with the community.
“We are a university with more than 140 years of history behind us and unlimited time ahead of us,” the message said. “We will address the challenges and changing circumstances of today with an eye on both the present and the future.”