Dear Students,
The order that came down on Monday from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was made without any consultation with higher education institutions. It also comes at a time when the United States has been setting daily records for the number of new COVID-19 cases, with more than 300,000 new cases reported since July 1. I can only assume that the order was designed to pressure institutions to resume “normal” face-to-face operations without regard to the concerns for the health and safety of students, instructors, and others.
As you know we announced Wright State's plans for the fall semester last week, and like many other institutions, we have sought to balance addressing concerns for public health with preserving our academic mission of teaching and scholarship. We have undertaken careful planning to address the unique circumstances of our community and to enable students to make educational progress safely.
Wright State is very concerned and opposed to the decision by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding limitations for international student enrollment in fall 2020. We have several working groups looking at this issue, including with several national and state organizations. Wright State has also joined discussions on next steps for advocacy in Ohio and is monitoring this solution carefully to find the best solution for our students.
Please know that Wright State cares deeply about the impact of this announcement on our international students. International students are key part of our community, and we are here to support them through this time of uncertainty.
I encourage you to participate a Q&A session organized by the University Center for International Education on July 13 about the ruling and how Wright State is preparing to support our international students. The discussion takes place Monday, July 13, from 3 to 4 p.m. on Webex.
In the meantime, questions can be directed to the University Center for International Education at askucie@wright.edu.
Best wishes,
Sue
