The change reflects the reality that Augsburg already offers nine graduate degree programs—including Minnesota’s first program for physician assistants—in addition to its more than 50 undergraduate degree programs.

“Becoming Augsburg University does not change our dedication to our liberal arts mission or our commitment to being small to our students and big for the world,” said Augsburg President Paul C. Pribbenow.

“As we lean into our reality as a university, we will continue our drive toward the intentional diversity for which we are known. We will ensure we are student-ready and can provide those of academic ability with opportunities for hands-on learning, undergraduate research, international study, and internships so that all Auggies are prepared to share their gifts and talents with the world.”

The name change decision was made after a thorough review that included conducting market research, studying the process and impact of name changes by other institutions, and holding open dialogue sessions with a broad set of stakeholders, including students, alumni, faculty, staff, and regents.

More information about the change is at augsburg.edu/university.

About Augsburg: Augsburg offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees to nearly 3,600 students of diverse backgrounds at its campus in the vibrant center of the Twin Cities and the Rochester site. Augsburg educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

Campus Photo: Download a photo of campus at

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Dear Augsburg Community,

We are deeply troubled by the recent Presidential executive orders on immigration: they run counter to the values of this institution and of our nation. We do not accept the intolerance which the new immigration policies promote. Augsburg’s history is rich with the contribution of individuals who came to America; indeed, founded by Norwegian immigrants, Augsburg has an immigrant sensibility and will stand firm in the face of threats to our community and our immigrant neighbors.

We write today to affirm our commitment to provide a safe learning and working environment with equitable access to education for all members of our campus community. We will not back down on that commitment. We will use all the resources at our disposal to ensure that you complete your degrees, can come to and from work safely, and can thrive as valued members of our community.  Your well-being is our priority.

Augsburg is a community that cares deeply about our students, staff and faculty.  Many members of our campus community are impacted by these actions. We are focused intently on the educational and work experience of our students, staff, and faculty, their lives in the world and their promise. We have a long-standing commitment to hospitality and justice and we will resist changes that run against our values. We will not stand by and allow our values to be trodden upon. It’s a personal commitment we make and it is one shared by all of us at Augsburg. We live it out every day. We don’t step backward, we step forward, and we are proud of this community because of that.

These values are central to how we will respond in support of students who are affected by changes in undocumented and immigration status. We will double down on our commitments to hospitality and justice, to supporting our students’ success and to keeping them safe. We will advocate at the state and federal level for policies that support all of our students.

In light of this past weekend’s executive actions, we want to share the following information:

• No Augsburg students currently studying abroad are impacted by the immigration/travel ban and all will be able to return safely to Augsburg and their homes.
• We are working to bring local groups such as NAVIGATE MN and the Immigration Law Center of Minnesota to the Minneapolis campus to provide support for any members of the campus community who need assistance.
• Based on the current executive orders, we strongly encourage all students, staff and faculty to seek legal advice if they have questions about their international travel plans.  For citizens of other countries, if you travel outside the U.S., you should expect increased visa delays and be aware of the risk that entry rules may change while you are traveling.
• We have funding available for undocumented and DACA students who need assistance to explore pathways to citizenship. Please contact Jennifer Simon, Director of American Indian Student Services; Hli Vang, Director of Pan-Asian Student Services; or Ann Garvey, Vice President of Student Affairs, for further details.
• We will ensure that all students at Augsburg are able to finish their degrees regardless of immigration status.
• Augsburg currently has strict protocols around student data privacy, as mandated by FERPA (the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act). We are currently assessing offices on campus to ensure that immigration status data is not requested from students unless necessary, so as to minimize the data we store about students. Augsburg does not share student data with outside agencies unless required to do so by court order or subpoena.
• We are closely monitoring the situation to ensure that we can respond quickly to any changes that impact our campus community.  We are requesting meetings with state and federal lawmakers and appointed officials and continuing to monitor court decisions. We will continue to use our leadership positions to advocate for policies that support all members of our campus community.
• We expect each member of this community to be as flexible as possible with others who may need to address unexpected personal or family situations brought on by the current political environment.
• If you are struggling, reach out to someone you trust.  It could be a faculty or staff member. Also Campus Ministry and the Counseling Center are confidential resources. As licensed ministers and counselors they are required to keep conversations private.
• We are establishing a website with resources and information for the community, at . The site will be live on January 31.

We will continue to monitor the changing political landscape closely and communicate regularly with you about actions and resources. In the meantime, please remember that we are stronger together and that our support for each other is among our most compelling values.

Sincerely,

Paul C. Pribbenow, President
Karen Kaivola, Provost

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(MINNEAPOLIS) — Interfaith activist and author Chris Stedman ‘08 joins Augsburg College as a fellow of the where he will facilitate and build new community partnerships for non-religious and interfaith civic engagement. Stedman also will consult on the development of interfaith engagement programs at Augsburg.

“We are excited to welcome Chris back to Augsburg where his interfaith work began nearly a decade ago as an undergraduate,” said Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow. “Chris returns to us a successful author and a national leader and thinker on the Humanist movement. His work as a Sabo Fellow is testament to our commitment to interfaith dialogue so needed in our ever-diversifying society.”

Stedman’s work with the Sabo Center comes at an important time in Minnesota given the state’s rapidly increasing diversity of faiths combined with the growing number of “nones,” also known as religiously unaffiliated, and the nonreligious. According to Pew Research Center, 23 percent of adults as of 2015 identified as “nones.”

The College’s continued commitment to and teachings on civic engagement — the practice of building skills and knowledge needed by individuals to navigate and engage in policy making that impacts their lives at local levels including churches, schools, townships and cities, and beyond — is of great importance to ensure an informed, engaged electorate.

“I’m excited to help shape deep discussion between the growing nonreligious community — especially among young people — and people of faith so that we can find common ground and work together for the common good,” Stedman said. “It’s critical to society to engage with one another in thoughtful, meaningful ways and being a Sabo Fellow will allow me to begin that work for a College I love in the state I’m glad to call ‘home’.”

In addition to Stedman’s service as a Sabo Fellow, he returns to the Twin Cities as the first-ever director of the Humanist Center of Minnesota. This new center is supported by a growing group of collaborating institutions including the Humanist Institute, First Unitarian Society of Minneapolis and the Humanists of Minnesota. It will be dedicated to partnership and community building through a Humanist worldview that brings compassionate action to the forefront.

About Stedman: Previously a Humanist chaplain at Harvard University, Chris Stedman currently serves as a fellow at Yale University’s Silliman College and as the first executive director of the Yale Humanist Community. He is the author of “Faitheist: How an Atheist Found Common Ground with the Religious,” “an intimate and deeply affecting portrait… [that] proves [he is] an activist in the truest sense and one to watch” (Booklist, Starred Review). Stedman holds a summa cum laude B.A. in Religion from Augsburg College (with minors in English and Social Welfare) and an M.A. in Religion from Meadville 
Lombard Theological School at the University of Chicago (with dual concentrations in Pastoral Care & Counseling and Religion & the Arts).

About Augsburg College: Augsburg College offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees to nearly 3,600 students of diverse backgrounds at its campus in the vibrant center of the Twin Cities and the Rochester site. Augsburg educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. An Augsburg education is defined by excellence in the liberal arts and professional studies, guided by the faith and values of the Lutheran church, and shaped by its urban and global settings.

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KARE 11: President Paul C. Pribbenow appeared on live television on the morning of November 13 to discuss with reporters the value of Give to the Max Day. He was accompanied by Auggie Eagle.

Star Tribune: “Minnesotans dig deeper than ever on Give to the Max Day”

WCCO 4: ““

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