Message from the Office of the President: Update on ICE and other info

From the Office of the President

Dear students, faculty, and staff,

I write to you with updates both nationally and here at the University of Minnesota.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Guidance for International Students

Earlier today, we announced that the University will join an amicus brief to show its support for a lawsuit that challenges ICE restrictions on visas for international students. As you know, recent ICE guidance would require international students who take a wholly online course load this fall to immediately leave the country.

We find it disappointing that while universities nationwide are following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance on reducing large gatherings, in part by offering online learning, ICE would penalize the very students we are trying to protect. We are not alone in taking this stand on behalf of international students; our peers in the Big Ten and across the country are equally committed to protecting students and preventing the pandemic’s spread while ensuring that our institutions continue to deliver our missions of service.

International students who have concerns or questions should contact our international student services teams on each campus (see below) who can assist with all of the ways this is, unfortunately, affecting you.

• Crookston
• Duluth
• Morris
• Twin Cities

Board of Regents Meeting

The Board of Regents met yesterday in advance of their annual board retreat.

The Board discussed in detail proposed changes to University policies and processes necessary to comply with updated federal Title IX regulations on sexual misconduct. The Board examined University staff and leadership recommendations that would:

• Institute a single, systemwide grievance process for all University members. Currently, the University applies different grievance procedures in sexual misconduct cases based on who is responding to the complaint (student, staff members in various job classifications, tenured or non-tenured faculty, etc.). Creating a systemwide process will ensure compliance with federal guidance and consistency in applying University policy.
• Create a systemwide hearing committee of trained faculty, staff, and students from all five University campuses to serve as decision-makers in hearings. This committee would provide three individuals for each hearing—a professional hearing officer and one panelist selected by each party from a list of available hearing committee members.
• Allow full advisor participation in hearings, though exact implementation of this regulation will require some additional consideration. The Board is weighing a recommendation that the University provide trained individuals to serve as advisors for those who need this support during the hearing process.
• Update the appeal processes for both complainants and respondents in all matters. Grounds for such an appeal may include procedural irregularities, new evidence, conflict of interests/biases, or unreasonable decisions of responsibility or discipline.
• Apply the preponderance of the evidence standard in all sexual misconduct matters involving students, staff, and faculty. Currently, the Tenure Code applies the clear and convincing evidence standard, setting it apart from the standard used in matters involving non-faculty respondents. New regulations require the University to have a single standard of evidence for all sexual misconduct hearings.

The new federal guidance requires the University to update its policies by August 14, and Board action is required to make that happen. The Board expects to call a special meeting soon to take action on this issue.

The Board also approved a one-time retirement incentive offer program (RIO) that we proposed in June. This incentive, which applies to University staff and faculty systemwide, supports eligible employees who wish to retire early with certain benefits. The RIO, in conjunction with the earlier announced furloughs and temporary pay cuts, provides savings to the University that remain with the local units while also giving our employees options and choices.

Fall 2020 Semester

Across our system and across our state, I want to reiterate our commitment to your safety and health. Our teaching, research, and service continues, but with your safety as our top priority.

This priority has never been more evident than in our Fall 2020 planning. Our mix of in-person and online classes is explicitly designed to minimize risk. Our approach, informed by federal and state public health officials, as well as our own medical and public health experts, will always err on the side of safety. We fully appreciate that going through this process creates uncertainty and resulting frustration but let me reconfirm that students who are concerned about their schedule can work with their advisor and we will do everything we can to accommodate requests while observing public health safety guidelines.

This fall will be different—but also new. It may not be what we hoped for, but it’s still an exciting time. I’m grateful for how we’ve pulled together to look at our teaching, research, and service in new but safe ways, and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.

Be safe and well.

With warmest wishes,

Joan Gabel