From: University Marketing and Relations
Dear OSU Community Members:
The university is aware of immigration enforcement activities that have taken place near the Corvallis campus and in the region. OSU is committed to providing support to students and employees navigating immigration matters with comprehensive resources available here: https://immigrationbeavs.oregonstate.edu/
The below information provides important reminders and guidance on how to best prepare yourself and others within the university community.
Guidance on engaging with federal immigration law enforcement
1) Call the Office of General Counsel at 541-737-8332 if you have information about federal immigration law enforcement on campus or OSU property.
If federal agents request student or employee information or are present on campus or OSU owned or controlled property, follow university guidelines and call the Office of General Counsel at 541-737-8332.
The OSU Office of General Counsel is the authorized point of contact for federal agents. OSU’s attorney will verify the purpose of the visit, review authorizing documentation for the visit or information request, and provide guidance to university representatives on OSU’s response. The Office of General Counsel can be reached at 541-737-8332 or via their website.
OSU students and employees are encouraged to familiarize themselves with this guidance on engaging with federal immigration law enforcement.
2) Refer all requests from federal agents to the Office of General Counsel.
The university is not authorized to release confidential student or employee information to federal agencies except as required by law, valid warrant, subpoena or court order.
OSU employees, students and volunteers engaging with federal agents may state, “I don’t have the authority to provide the requested information. I am contacting OSU’s legal counsel to assist you with your requests.”
3) Do not accept or interpret legal documents.
Do not review or interpret legal documents. OSU employees, students and volunteers (other than attorneys within OSU’s Office of General Counsel) are not authorized to accept these documents from a federal agent on behalf of the institution.
OSU employees, students or volunteers may state, “I don’t have the authority to accept this documentation on behalf of the university. I am contacting OSU’s legal counsel to assist you with your requests.”
Upon contacting OSU’s Office of General Counsel, OSU’s attorney will provide further guidance. You do have permission to request the agent’s name, agency and badge number and/or receive business cards. Please record any information you receive and pass it along to the Office of General Counsel.
Support for impacted OSU community members
OSU students and employees can receive support related to immigration enforcement activities:
- The Student Care Team is the primary contact for all students navigating challenging life events including disruptions due to immigration enforcement.
- The Human Resources Office (Employee and Labor Relations) serves as the primary contact for all employees navigating challenging life events, including disruptions due to immigration enforcement.
Emergency contact information
OSU community members (students, employees and volunteers) are encouraged to update their emergency contact information at my.oregonstate.edu.
Here, community members can provide multiple emergency contacts and may also include a personal immigration attorney under the “other” category to be contacted in the event OSU becomes aware that a student or employee has been detained by ICE.
Student and employee legal resources
Students and employees with concerns about their immigration status are encouraged to contact available legal resources:
- ASOSU Student Legal Services offers initial free, confidential support for ASOSU-fee-paying students.
- Non-ASOSU-fee-paying students may seek assistance from no- or low-cost legal services; information is available on Beavers Navigating Immigration Matters.
- Employees may seek legal assistance from Lyra for initial (30-minute), cost-free, privileged advice and counsel.
All students, employees and volunteers are vital members of Oregon State University, and we will support them with information and resources as we continue to advocate for the many communities we serve.
On behalf of the university,
Rob Odom, Vice President of University Relations and Marketing