To the UConn Community:

 

We write to share updates on issues related to actions taken by the federal government in recent weeks and to reiterate guidance previously provided to the community on current issues. Please note that additional information and resources will be shared as they become available.

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SEVIS Revocations. As reported last week, 13 international students at UConn – 12 current students and one recent graduate completing postgraduate training – had their Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records terminated, which threatened to cause serious disruptions in their academic careers. We have learned that all of the impacted students at UConn have now had their SEVIS records restored by the federal government, meaning absent some other unexpected change, they should be able to resume their studies and work at UConn uninterrupted. UConn continues to work to provide support for all the impacted students and will share new information as it becomes available.

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Department of Education “Dear Colleague Letter.” In February, the U.S. Department of Education issued what is known as a “Dear Colleague Letter” to educational institutions with guidance regarding federal laws that prohibit discrimination. On March 1, the department followed-up with an FAQ. On Thursday, April 24, a federal judge in Maryland issued a nationwide stay of the letter. The court found that the letter set forth new legal obligations and therefore the government should have followed the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, which it failed to do. The stay is in effect until the conclusion of the related lawsuit that led to the order.

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New NIH, DOE Policies. The UConn Office of the Vice President for Research has updated its Federal Research Funding FAQ page to reflect new policies recently issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The page can be accessed with your UConn NetID and password.

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Potential Interactions with Federal Authorities. UConn is not aware of any instance of federal immigration authorities recently traveling to any of our campuses. The university continues to receive questions from community members about what to do if they encounter immigration authorities at UConn or are contacted by immigration authorities; which spaces on campus can or cannot be accessed by authorities and under what circumstances; and what their rights and protections are under the law more generally.

The university has posted answers and background information on these issues.

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Our Support Staff. In light of recent events, many UConn staff members at UConn are working tirelessly behind the scenes, directly supporting individuals within the campus community who have been affected. This is particularly true for those dedicated to assisting our students, such as the Dean of Students and the Center for International Students and Scholars in Global Affairs.

With limited staff available, the committed few we rely on are putting in extraordinary time and effort to meet the needs at hand. We encourage you to show them your support. Before reaching out with questions, we ask all faculty and staff to first review the guidance and resources that have been thoughtfully prepared. Taking a moment to consult these materials will help ensure that our colleagues can concentrate their efforts where they’re most needed.

As noted above, additional information and resources will be shared as they become available. The President, Provost, and Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship are in regular communication with representatives from both the state and federal governments to stay updated and determine the best course of action moving forward.

 

Anne D’Alleva

Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs

Nathan Fuerst

Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment

Daniel Weiner

Vice President for Global Affairs

Jeffrey Hines

Interim Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer

Nicole Gelston

General Counsel

Pamir Alpay

Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship