The University of Evansville (UE) has issued a statement in response to the executive order restricting immigration to the United States from certain countries. The full statement is as follows:
“The University of Evansville draws its strength from the broad diversity of its students, staff, and faculty. Our mission as an institution of higher education affiliated with the United Methodist Church calls us to create and sustain an environment in which people from all nations, cultures, and religions feel safe and supported as they pursue an education.
The recent executive order restricting immigration to the United States by residents of seven countries contradicts the values of openness and inclusion that support UE’s educational mission and core identity. We urge the administration to rescind this order, and we encourage political leaders from all parties and branches of government to strengthen the protections that our nation has historically extended to immigrants and refugees who want to improve their lives by working and studying in the United States.
We are proud to affirm our unequivocal support for the members of our community who come from nations affected by this executive order. These students, faculty, staff, and administrators have made enormous contributions to the educational and cultural environment of the University and of the Evansville community, and we will do everything in our power to protect their right to work and study here. At UE, we stand by the principle that access to a quality education for all, including international, refugee, and undocumented students, is essential for a world that is safer and better prepared to deal with the challenges we face.”
The University of Evansville welcomes students from 51 countries, and international students from the impacted countries of Syria, Somalia, and Iran are studying at UE this semester.
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