To: Campus Community
From: Robert N. Shelton
Subject: Thank You
As commencement approaches and the academic year winds to an end, I wanted to write to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone who is a part of our University – faculty, staff and appointed professionals – for the extraordinary effort that has gone into making this year so successful and productive, despite the unprecedented challenges that we faced.
A university is a diverse community of people who share a singular passion for scholarship and discovery and the hope that can blossom in students’ lives when they are given a chance to succeed. We are truly blessed by the people who make up the University of Arizona family, and who have helped this University stand for the most important ideals of our society.
This year we faced historic budget cuts; we mourned the passing of several cherished colleagues; and saw a law passed that, understandably, has offended members of our community and challenged what many believe are their fundamental rights as Americans.
The anger that has been generated by SB1070 is understandable. Many on our campus – whether international students and visitors, or faculty and staff who fear their ethnicity will make them targets – are anxious about its implementation. It is the expectation of most legal experts that SB1070 will be overturned by the courts. Whether or not that happens, I am certain that no one on our campus should fear that because of their ethnicity or national origin they will be accosted by our police.
Illegal immigration is a serious problem that begs a solution from the federal government. It is unfortunate that the state’s efforts to confront it resulted in flawed public policy that sends all the wrong messages about our state.
Despite the turmoil that we have experienced this year, we persevered in a way that should make every one of us proud. We have maintained our commitment to access while continuing to provide a quality educational experience to our students, and we are determined that UA will forever be a welcoming and inclusive community.
For the third consecutive year we enrolled a record number of students, and our freshman class was not only the largest ever, but the most academically gifted and diverse. Our faculty opened doors of discovery and garnered research awards that are the envy of our peers. We transformed our academic enterprise, thanks to input and guidance from those in every college on campus, resulting in productivity gains and exciting new opportunities for collaboration.
I am truly grateful to all of you for the commitment and hard work that you have demonstrated over the past year. There are still challenges ahead, but your efforts have enabled The University of Arizona to maintain its standing as one of the premier research universities in the world. That standing is a tribute to each of you. My thanks for your good work.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
Message from the President
To: Campus Community
From: Robert N. Shelton
Subject: SB 1070 - Arizona’s New Immigration Law
Many people and organizations on campus are expressing understandable concerns over the ramifications of SB1070, the new law that was signed last week by Governor Brewer. The law directs local police to require anyone whom they reasonably suspect of being in the country illegally to provide evidence (such as a driver’s license or alien registration document) of their lawful presence. This has raised worries about racial profiling along with troubling questions about how SB1070 will affect the University’s international community on our campuses.
The University of Arizona is an institution that is international in its impact and reach. We attract students and scholars from every corner of the world to our campus. On any given day there are literally hundreds of people here from around the globe. They come to our campus to learn, to collaborate in research projects, and to share the products of their own scholarship.
I cannot state more firmly that the health and safety of our international students, faculty, and professional staff are priorities of the highest order for us, and we are going to do everything possible to help each of them understand the law and its impact. We intend to put in place whatever procedures are necessary to ensure their safety and free movement on campus and in our community.
Foreign students who have come to study at American universities are responsible for huge portions of the gains this nation has made in technology, medicine, materials, and so many other academic areas critical to our nation’s defense and economic prosperity. We must do everything possible to ensure that these students continue to feel welcomed and respected, despite the unmistakably negative message that this bill sends to many of them.
UAPD, which is one of the finest police operations anywhere, will be receiving extensive training on the specifications of the new law. I have total confidence that they will abide by the letter of the law, which includes a provision that individuals may not be stopped solely on the basis of race, color or national origin.
We have already begun to feel an impact from SB1070. The families of a number of out-of-state students (to date all of them honors students) have told us that they are changing their plans and will be sending their children to universities in other states. This should sadden anyone who cares about attracting the best and brightest students to Arizona.
Additionally, large numbers of UA students, faculty, staff and appointed professionals have expressed concerns that they or members of their families or their friends may now be subject to unwarranted detainment by police. Many of these individuals are from families that have been residents of Arizona for generations. While I am completely confident that no one need fear the way that UAPD will approach the application of this law, I nevertheless appreciate the anxiety that friends and colleagues are feeling. It is a concern and fear that no one should have to harbor.
At its meeting in Phoenix later this week, the Arizona Board of Regents will be discussing the implications of SB1070. I will keep you informed of any developments that might result from that meeting.
From: Robert N. Shelton
Subject: SB 1070 - Arizona’s New Immigration Law
Many people and organizations on campus are expressing understandable concerns over the ramifications of SB1070, the new law that was signed last week by Governor Brewer. The law directs local police to require anyone whom they reasonably suspect of being in the country illegally to provide evidence (such as a driver’s license or alien registration document) of their lawful presence. This has raised worries about racial profiling along with troubling questions about how SB1070 will affect the University’s international community on our campuses.
The University of Arizona is an institution that is international in its impact and reach. We attract students and scholars from every corner of the world to our campus. On any given day there are literally hundreds of people here from around the globe. They come to our campus to learn, to collaborate in research projects, and to share the products of their own scholarship.
I cannot state more firmly that the health and safety of our international students, faculty, and professional staff are priorities of the highest order for us, and we are going to do everything possible to help each of them understand the law and its impact. We intend to put in place whatever procedures are necessary to ensure their safety and free movement on campus and in our community.
Foreign students who have come to study at American universities are responsible for huge portions of the gains this nation has made in technology, medicine, materials, and so many other academic areas critical to our nation’s defense and economic prosperity. We must do everything possible to ensure that these students continue to feel welcomed and respected, despite the unmistakably negative message that this bill sends to many of them.
UAPD, which is one of the finest police operations anywhere, will be receiving extensive training on the specifications of the new law. I have total confidence that they will abide by the letter of the law, which includes a provision that individuals may not be stopped solely on the basis of race, color or national origin.
We have already begun to feel an impact from SB1070. The families of a number of out-of-state students (to date all of them honors students) have told us that they are changing their plans and will be sending their children to universities in other states. This should sadden anyone who cares about attracting the best and brightest students to Arizona.
Additionally, large numbers of UA students, faculty, staff and appointed professionals have expressed concerns that they or members of their families or their friends may now be subject to unwarranted detainment by police. Many of these individuals are from families that have been residents of Arizona for generations. While I am completely confident that no one need fear the way that UAPD will approach the application of this law, I nevertheless appreciate the anxiety that friends and colleagues are feeling. It is a concern and fear that no one should have to harbor.
At its meeting in Phoenix later this week, the Arizona Board of Regents will be discussing the implications of SB1070. I will keep you informed of any developments that might result from that meeting.
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Spring Break Travel Update
To: UA Student Community
From: Dr. Carol Thompson, Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
Many students will choose to travel to different destinations over spring break. As you make your final preparations I would like to make you aware of an upcoming campus educational program that may be of interest to you.
March 4th, 10:00-4:00 - Spring Break Safety Fair, UA Mall
There will be a variety of booths, demonstrations, and interactive educational opportunities available for students to obtain safety information and other resources on spring break travel. This program is jointly sponsored by ASUA, UAPD, Campus Health, the Dean of Students Office Safe Cats Program and the UA Parents & Family Association.
For those students traveling abroad, the U.S. State Department <http://travel.state.gov/> website provides extensive information regarding travel requirements and safety information. In addition, information is provided regarding Travel Warnings and Alerts for specific locations around the world. Travel Alerts are issued by the U.S. State Department to disseminate information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens.
A Travel Alert has been in place for Mexico <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_4491.html > since August 2009 and remains in effect until August 2010. This Alert describes recent violence, and provides guidance and additional links regarding travel in Mexico. If you choose to travel to Mexico for spring break, I urge you to familiarize yourself with this information and the following resources, tips and suggestions to increase your safety.
* Going to Mexico - Spring Break Safety Information <http://www.health.arizona.edu/health_topics/mexico-brochure.pdf >
* Spring Break in Mexico - Know Before You Go <http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/spring_break_mexico/spring_break_mexico_2812.html >
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jason Casares, Assistant Dean of Students & Coordinator of Campus Safety, through any of the following options:
621-7057 or
casares@email.arizona.edu.
March 4th, 10:00-4:00 - Spring Break Safety Fair, UA Mall
There will be a variety of booths, demonstrations, and interactive educational opportunities available for students to obtain safety information and other resources on spring break travel. This program is jointly sponsored by ASUA, UAPD, Campus Health, the Dean of Students Office Safe Cats Program and the UA Parents & Family Association.
For those students traveling abroad, the U.S. State Department <http://travel.state.gov/> website provides extensive information regarding travel requirements and safety information. In addition, information is provided regarding Travel Warnings and Alerts for specific locations around the world. Travel Alerts are issued by the U.S. State Department to disseminate information about short-term conditions, generally within a particular country, that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens.
A Travel Alert has been in place for Mexico <http://travel.state.gov/
* Going to Mexico - Spring Break Safety Information <http://www.health.arizona.
* Spring Break in Mexico - Know Before You Go <http://travel.state.gov/
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Jason Casares, Assistant Dean of Students & Coordinator of Campus Safety, through any of the following options:
621-7057 or
casares@email.arizona.edu.
Monday, February 22, 2010
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Travel Safety Tips
Check out the attached brochure for tips on how to be safe when traveling to Mexico!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
