Campus News
Supporting International Students, Faculty, and Scholars
Last week, the federal government began terminating the F-1 records of international students across the country, including three within our campus community. We have been working to understand the situation through discussion with UC international and Federal Governmental Relations offices as well as UC Office of the President (UCOP) and national sources.
Dear Campus Community,
As Chancellor Larive shared in an all-campus message on April 6, last week, the federal government began terminating the F-1 records of international students across the country in the Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS), including three within our own campus community at UC Santa Cruz. These actions came without warning and explanation; we’ve been working to understand the situation through discussion with international offices at other UC campuses and UC Federal Governmental Relations as well as UC Office of the President (UCOP) and national sources. We are writing to reaffirm our commitment to and support of our international student, faculty, and scholar community and to provide more information about how we are moving through this time.
Since first learning of this matter, Global Engagement’s International Student Services & Programming (ISSP) and International Faculty and Scholar Services (IFSS) teams have been monitoring the SEVIS system for student and scholar record terminations. We are reaching out to and meeting with students who have been impacted so that they have access to the information and guidance they need to make informed decisions about their individual cases. In addition to meeting with these students, we’ve advised students to immediately seek the advice of an immigration attorney, such as through UC Immigration Legal Services’ referral list. As of this writing we have not had any J-1 Scholar terminations in SEVIS, but if this occurs, IFSS will do the same outreach to our scholars. Yesterday, April 9, ISSP and IFFS sent direct communications to our international student, faculty, and scholar communities.
In those instances where SEVIS records have been terminated, we’ve contacted appropriate UC Santa Cruz offices and individuals, including Slug Support. Our focus is on how best to support our students and ensure that they are aware of the support networks available to them.
Chancellor Larive’s update to the campus community included important resources available to all members of our campus community. Students are eligible for services such as Slug Support or CAPS. If students are unsure of what is available to them, they can email the Dean of Students Office at deanofstudents@ucsc.edu. All members of our campus community are encouraged to review President Drake’s April 8 message about visa terminations, which includes FAQs about federal immigration enforcement actions, which are being updated regularly.
ISSP is available to meet with international students to discuss their specific situation or concerns. Students can email istudent@ucsc.edu to set up an appointment. International faculty and scholars (postdocs and visiting scholars) can email ischolar@ucsc.edu to connect with International Faculty and Scholar Services.
As a state, national, and global research university, UC Santa Cruz is deeply enriched by and values all members of its community, each contributing to our community of learning, not just on our main campus but throughout the region, California, and the world. We are all deeply committed to the support of international students and scholars, international faculty and staff, and indeed all members of our community, as we navigate these unprecedented and challenging times.
Sincerely,
Lori and Richard
Lori Kletzer
Campus Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor
Richard Hughey
Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education and Global Engagement