Chancellor Syverud Addresses Most Recent Immigration Issues via University Senate’s Open Forum

At the Syracuse University Senate’s open forum on Wednesday, Feb. 8, Vice Chancellor and Provost Michele Wheatly provided updates on a number of important issues and University initiatives. The provost also fielded and addressed several questions from students, faculty and staff.

In addition to sharing her prepared remarks, the provost also read a message from Chancellor Kent Syverud, who was unable to participate in the forum due to an alumni engagement commitment in Los Angeles.

The statement from Chancellor Syverud is as follows:

“To my Senate colleagues, faculty, students and staff, apologies for missing this afternoon’s open forum. I am traveling on long-scheduled University business. As I have said to you in the past, the work of the Senate and its role in shared governance is critical to our University. This forum is a testament to those collaborative efforts.

In my absence, I have asked Provost Wheatly to answer your questions. I have also asked her to briefly share with you my views on the current immigration law changes and the ensuing debate and legal challenges. To be clear, this university simply cannot support or abide by any policy that discriminates against, or makes a preference for, one person over the other based on religion, national origin or other inherent characteristics. Any such policy is wrong and antithetical to the Constitution of the United States of America and the values of this university.”

 The Chancellor’s statement today follows a series of messages and remarks he recently made regarding these important issues:

Last week, in a message to students, faculty and staff, Chancellor Syverud called on the campus community to join him in supporting those affected by changing immigration laws. That message can be read here.

The Chancellor also delivered a winter message to the community on Tuesday, Jan. 17. In those remarks, he addressed immigration matters. Click here to read the full transcript of his remarks.

On Dec. 7, 2016, the Chancellor sent a message to the campus community, in which he expresses the University’s support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program and Syracuse’s undocumented students. Click here to read this message.

And, during the Nov. 15, 2016, University Senate meeting, Chancellor Syverud delivered these remarks, during which he acknowledged the world recently became more complicated. He also used his remarks as an opportunity to reiterate Syracuse University’s values.