By Jeff Murphy,
January 31, 2017
WARRENSBURG, MO (Jan. 31, 2017) – Amidst a very dynamic and fluid environment surrounding
the Presidential Executive Order issued Friday, Jan. 27, University of Central Missouri
President Charles Ambrose today reached out to UCM’s international students to let
them know they are supported by the university. The Executive Order temporarily bans
immigrants and refugees from seven Muslim majority countries – Iran, Iraq, Libya,
Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen – from entering the United States.
“We will continue monitoring developments related to the recent Executive Order, and
will share updated information as it becomes available, understanding that this could
be a time of great concern and uncertainty for you personally. Please know that we
want to do everything we can to assist you,” the president said in an email sent this
morning to UCM’s international students.
President Ambrose’s message to students included a link to the NAFSA: Association
of International Educators website, which issues a travel advisory for nationals of
the countries specified in the Executive Order. It provides more details about the
immigration ban and encourages individuals from the affected countries to defer, if
possible, any international travel outside of the United States.
Among UCM’s many international students, currently there are two students, one from
Yemen and one from Syria, who are affected by the Executive Order. The university’s
Director of Graduate and International Student Services, Shellie Hewitt, has reached
out to them in person to offer any assistance they may need.
Ambrose provided a list of resources and individuals that international students may
wish to turn to regarding issues related to their student experience on campus, coursework,
immigration paperwork, and their safety.
“UCM strives to provide a welcoming, inclusive community, and our campus is greatly
enriched by the knowledge, and cultural sharing we gain from our international faculty
and students,” Ambrose said.
He emphasized, “The university stands in support of our Muslim students and students
of all faiths, all international members of the UCM community, and against actions
that may inhibit access to the freedoms our nation provides to refugees and immigrants
on the basis of religion or related to their efforts to escape global tyranny.”
Individuals who want to learn more about the Executive Order and its impact on higher
education, or the travel advisory should visit the NAFSA website.
