A message to Our UMKC Community

By , January 30, 2017 4:57 pm

all-welcome

To our UMKC community,

We have heard from many students, faculty and staff regarding the recent presidential executive order that called for suspending entry of all refugees to the United States for 120 days, barring Syrian refugees indefinitely, and blocking entry into the United States for 90 days for citizens of seven predominantly Muslim countries: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.

We share your deep concerns and are working to understand the meaning and impact of this executive order on our campus community and beyond. The situation remains fluid and we will continue to monitor it closely, and update you as the situation warrants.

As a highly diverse, student-centered urban university, UMKC is committed to fostering a culture infused with equity and inclusion and to being a model of respectful interaction and peaceful pursuit of our mission of research, learning and engagement. Our campus culture, by its very nature, embraces people of all backgrounds, national origins and faith traditions, encouraging each individual to fully participate in the life of our university. The academic programs at UMKC and the University of Missouri System are enhanced by the diverse contributions from students, faculty and staff who hail from more than 100 countries.

If you feel the executive order is affecting you or your ability to be a successful member of our learning community, many resources are available to assist you. These resources can be accessed by calling our UMKC HelpLine at 816-235-2222 or by checking out our online resources at www.umkc.edu/help, where you’ll find links for everything from the Counseling Center to Faculty Senate to Human Resources.

We also offer two additional contacts specifically for students impacted or concerned by the executive order:  Tara McGuffin, Assistant Director of the International Student Affairs Office, mcguffint@umkc.edu, 816-235-5686; or Tiffany Williams, williamsti@umkc.edu, Assistant Dean of Students, 816-235-5599.

As leaders of the university, we are also working with our national associations, such as the Association of Public Land-grant Universities (APLU), to communicate with the Administration how this affects not only our international students and scholars, but our ability to carry out our institutional mission.

We close by reaffirming our support for international students, faculty and staff who make important contributions, enrich our university, and are integral members of our community.

Respectfully,

Leo E. Morton
Chancellor

Barbara A. Bichelmeyer
Provost

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