“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,” wrote the President and Provost.

“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.”

Read “Trump’s orders have U and Macalester presidents varying with views” on the Star Tribune site.

Read “Statement: President Pribbenow, Provost Kaivola on executive orders by President Donald J. Trump” on the News and Media site.

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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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Augsburg College, on April 7, will recommit and expand its commitment to educating students of ability regardless of citizenship and immigration status in support of United We Dream’s National Institution Coming Out Day.

“We recognize that intellectually talented students of ability come from all walks of life,” said Augsburg College President Paul Pribbenow.

“Increasingly, undocumented students are raised right here, in the United States. Augsburg – and every higher education institution – must heed the call to educate students of ability. It is through this call that our colleges and universities can secure economic prosperity not only for students, but for our state and nation.”

Since 2007, Augsburg has set the bar among colleges and universities in Minnesota in its work with undocumented students. For example, Augsburg, for years, has fully reviewed applications of undocumented and/or DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students who graduate from high schools in the United States. These student applications are considered for admission and for all types of private financial aid offered by Augsburg. Undocumented and DACA students admitted to Augsburg College are not classified as international students and are not distinguished from domestic students.

To deepen the impact of our commitment to these students going forward, Augsburg College will move from a set of individual support programs to system-based support for undocumented and DACA students. The first step in this process is the College’s pledge today as part of National Institutions Coming Out Day. As part of this pledge, Augsburg commits to:

• Broaden access to higher education for the estimated 11,400 undocumented youths in Minnesota, in part by providing institutional aid and grants to incoming first-year and transfer undocumented and DACA students admitted and enrolled in the undergraduate day program for the 2015-16 year.
• Reduce financial barriers faced by undocumented students so they can participate in academic and co-curricular activities that are core experiences for any college student —  including internships, undergraduate research, supplemental instruction sessions, community engagement, and student leadership opportunities.
• Empower undocumented and DACA students to come out of the shadows, to develop self-advocacy skills, to persist in their academic studies, and to graduate.

“We must equip students of ability for lives of meaning and purpose in the 21st century,” Pribbenow said. “Through our continued and expanded commitment today, we will continue to grow as a new kind of student-centered, urban university that is small to our students and big for the world.”

Additional information about Augsburg College’s commitment to undocumented and DACA students is available at .

About Augsburg College: Augsburg College is set in a vibrant neighborhood at the heart of the Twin Cities, and offers more than 50 undergraduate majors and nine graduate degrees to more than 3,500 students of diverse backgrounds. Augsburg College educates students to be informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders. The Augsburg experience is supported by an engaged community committed to intentional diversity in its life and work. 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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