On Jan. 21, Donald Trump was sworn in to be the 47th president of the United States. In the days since then, the futures of undocumented students, federally funded programs, and more have been brought into question.
Such questions have the possibility to affect the campus community. In an internal email sent to Eastern Michigan University employees on Jan. 29, University president James Smith and Provost Rhonda Longworth sent out further instructions regarding potential federal changes. They acknowledged that many might be feeling confused or anxious in this period of uncertainty. A similar email was sent to students on Feb. 19.
“Please know that we are here to support students, listen to your concerns, and provide information and resources to assist you in navigating these changes,” said the email addressed to students. “We remain committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where you can continue to thrive academically and personally.”
Both emails linked to a new webpage under the University’s “Legal Affairs” section of their website. This page, titled “Campus Guidance Regarding Recent Federal Directives”, seeks to provide up to date information on the federal government’s impact on EMU. This page currently has information on what to do if Immigrations and Customs Enforcement officers, or ICE, are present on campus, how to handle reduced NIH funding, and the previous freeze on federally funded programs, among other things.
The page’s last update was on Feb 19., the same day the email was sent to students. Any other information pertaining to federal directives, according to the emails, will be updated when additional information is gathered.
While they wait for more information, students are voicing their concerns as to how these federal directives could affect their classmates, and the campus community. Many of the federal directives have the possibility of personally affecting those around EMU, including undocumented students, researchers who use NIH funds for their projects, and more.
For some students, they just want other students to feel safe and comfortable when coming to campus. The impact of federal directives, like increased ICE presence, disrupts this feeling of safety.
“My true wish is that everyone feels safe in our country,” said Westyn Winling, a fourth year Special Education major at Eastern. “[ICE agents] being able to come into places where people often feel like it’s a safe place, and now it’s turning into not a safe place, it hurts my heart.”
Perriel Pace, a freshman student who has interacted with undocumented children in the past through her job, echoes this sentiment.
“I just think it’s unjust, inhumane, and it's not fair. Especially if they are here to get an education, and they gotta sit and worry about possibly getting snatched up from their seat in the middle of class, or in their dorm room, etc.”
For Winling, when one student doesn’t feel safe at school, it affects the entire campus community.
“I overall just worry about the safety of students and being able to safely feel like they're getting a proper education,” said Winling.
The safety of students, and the impact of federal directives on Eastern Michigan University, is an ongoing and complex question. To speak with someone directly about how you may be effected, please reach out to either the Dean of Students or Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS).
The Eastern Echo will continue to follow these developments closely, and report back to the campus community if changes occur.
