Dear SUNY New Paltz Campus Community:
Under a new federal administration, SUNY New Paltz, like most higher education institutions in the United States, is adjusting to changes to immigration policies and practices. Understandably, this brings new questions and likely feelings of uncertainty and fears for many impacted directly or indirectly by these changes. This includes some of our students who are navigating their own immigration status or who live in a mixed-status home where family members may not be documented or are at various stages of the immigration process.
As in 2017 when similar dynamics unfolded, we write to reassure our students that their success and wellbeing is our priority, and we offer the following resources that can be accessed as they and all of us navigate this rapidly changing environment.
As expressed by Chancellor King in his recent message to SUNY presidents, SUNY and New Paltz remain committed to:
- The longstanding practice of prohibiting discriminatory actions on the basis of protected class, including national origin;
- The longstanding policy that University Police departments do not participate in enforcement of federal immigration law except under court order or other legal mandate;
- If a warrant or other duly executed legal mandate is presented, no action should be taken until after referring this to UPD and receiving guidance.
- Continue the longstanding practice of defending privacy rights of students and requiring a subpoena, court order, search warrant or other exception to FERPA
- Continue the longstanding practice of allowing undocumented individuals to pay resident tuition, provided criteria specified by State law are met;
- Continue the practice and policy of not considering national origin or immigration status in admissions decisions; and,
- Continue the longstanding practice of welcoming students of all faiths.
It may be that this issue does not directly impact everyone the same way, but we know that there is impact to some faculty, staff, and students or their families and neighbors. As a community, we can extend compassion and support to one another as we navigate the impacts these policy changes have on our work as a learning environment and how we can support one another. While this may not affect you directly, many of our students, faculty and staff, are rightly concerned about the impacts of federal actions on their educational and/or professional future, their lives, and their friends and families. As a community we extend compassion and support to all who are navigating these difficult and uncertain times.
Tanhena Pacheco Dunn
Vice President for Human Resources, Diversity & Inclusion
Chief Diversity Officer
Darrell P. Wheeler
President
