From: University Leaders in HR, General Counsel, Student Affairs, and Mission and Impact
Dear OSU Community Members:
Changes in immigration policy and immigration enforcement activity in Oregon, in Minnesota and across the country are impacting members of our community and their families directly.
Wherever possible, the university is connecting with impacted OSU community members to provide resources and support. In addition, the university has taken legal action to protect its ability to educate and hire international students and employees, including an amicus brief filed just last week in which OSU joined other public and private universities in support of a lawsuit challenging the government’s rescission of Harvard University’s eligibility to sponsor international student visas.
Creating access, opportunity and prosperity are core to OSU’s land-grant mission. Every day, OSU community members work diligently to create a university where everyone has access to education, where the brightest minds can advance groundbreaking research and where all people, regardless of background or experience, feel that they belong.
In support of OSU’s mission, we want you to be aware of university principles guiding OSU’s efforts to support students and employees impacted by changes to immigration policy and enforcement, and things you can do to learn more and support those coping with feelings of fear, isolation and stress.
Assistance for students and employees experiencing disruptions to learning and employment
Dedicated teams stand ready to help students and employees maintain continuity in enrollment and employment, including access to financial aid, stipends and scholarships.
OSU’s Student Care Team serves as the primary point of contact for all students, and OSU’s Employee and Labor Relations Office serves as the primary point of contact for all employees navigating challenging life events, including disruption due to immigration policy changes and enforcement.
Legal resources for students and employees
Students based on the Corvallis campus can seek assistance from ASOSU Student Legal Services for initial, free, privileged advice and counsel. OSU students not based on the Corvallis campus can seek assistance from low- or no-cost local legal services for privileged advice and counsel. A list is available on Beavers Navigating Immigration Matters.
Employees can seek legal assistance from Lyra Work Life Services for initial, free, privileged advice and counsel. Anyone can get help finding a lawyer from the Oregon State Bar.
The importance of updating emergency contact information
Students, employees and volunteers should keep their emergency contact information up-to-date at https://my.oregonstate.edu. Emergency contacts may include a personal immigration attorney in the event OSU becomes aware that a student or employee has been detained as a result of immigration enforcement activities.
Notifying the university of immigration enforcement activities
If you learn of immigration enforcement activities taking place on OSU property or impacting an OSU program, you should immediately call the Office of the General Counsel at 541-737-8332. This number is staffed 24 hours a day. OSU attorneys are prepared to provide guidance to university employees and volunteers observing or interacting with immigration enforcement officers at OSU.
All community members should review guidance on interacting with federal agents at https://immigrationbeavs.oregonstate.edu/employee-resources.
Additional resources for Beavers navigating immigration matters
Students and employees who have general concerns about immigration law enforcement activities may reach out to the Office of International Services. The university maintains and regularly updates comprehensive resources related to immigration matters:
- A comprehensive website, including resources and frequently asked questions, is available at https://immigrationbeavs.oregonstate.edu/
- The Oregon DOJ’s Community Toolkit provides comprehensive, multilingual information on topics such as Know Your Rights, making Family Preparedness Plans, Attorney Resources and targeting based on national origin.
- Foreign nationals in the US may get assistance (and may register in advance of an emergency) from their consulates.
By familiarizing yourself with these resources and looking out for colleagues and students who may be experiencing personal difficulty or disruption, we can all play a role in keeping our university community safe and supported.
Sincerely,
Amanda Bailey, Chief Human Resources Officer Ad Interim
Becca Gose, Vice President and General Counsel
Dan Larson, Vice President for Student Affairs
Scott A. Vignos, J.D., Vice President for Mission and Impact