Unwavering Commitment

University Leader Responds to President Trump's Executive Order 

“As an institution we draw strength from our diversity and global reach, and from our commitment to inclusive excellence," Interim President James R. Stellar said Monday. (Photo by Mark Schmidt)

ALBANY, N.Y. (Jan. 31, 2017) — Interim President James R. Stellar reiterated the University at Albany’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity Monday in response to President Trump’s executive order barring all refuges from entering the United States for the next 120 days.

Trump’s order, which also bans citizens from seven predominantly Muslim nations from entering the U.S. for 90 days, was issued Friday, Jan. 27.

“I am deeply concerned about the impact of the executive order on our students, faculty, and staff, and I wanted to let you know how the University at Albany is responding to this quickly-evolving situation,” Stellar said in a statement to the University’s students, faculty and staff.

Stellar noted that UAlbany has about 30 students from the banned countries — Iraq, Syria, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen — as well as faculty and visiting scholars. They are being advised not to travel outside the country, he said.

On Sunday SUNY Board Chairman H. Carl McCall and Chancellor Nancy Zimpher said the State University system has more than 22,000 foreign students from 180 countries, including 320 from the seven countries affected by the travel ban.

“As always, our commitments to diversity, equity, and inclusion are unwavering. Our founding principles and support for undocumented students, restated by the SUNY Board of Trustees at its meeting last week, continue to guide our actions as we review and react to new federal mandates with regard to immigration,” McCall and Zimpher said in a statement.

SUNY established a website to provide students and families with information and resources. For the UAlbany community, questions and concerns about the executive order are being fielded by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services at (518) 591-8172.

“As an institution we draw strength from our diversity and global reach, and from our commitment to inclusive excellence,” Stellar said. “This strength is more important than ever as we navigate the implications of this executive order.”

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