Message from the President - Northland College stands firm in its commitment to protect and provide sanctuary for all members of our community who may need such protection in the coming months and years, including our undocumented students.
Northland College has a proud history of commitment to social justice, civil liberties, diversity, and the protection and inclusion of groups subjected to acts that threaten their freedom and safety. The North Wisconsin Academy was founded in 1892 with a declaration to provide educational opportunities to people of the north woods—including immigrants, women, and Native Americans. The Academy later became Northland College, “named not for a denomination or a man but for a region it was destined to serve,”—and our commitment to that original ideal has never wavered.
At this moment, when there is a rising national rhetoric of intolerance and acts of hate that threaten people of color, Muslims, LGBTQ+ individuals, Jews, women, and immigrants, among others, we affirm our protection of these groups, and we affirm our intention to support all students in their quest to pursue their education without government interference.
We wholeheartedly pledge to become a sanctuary school. This means that unless we are legally required to do so:
- The College will not voluntarily share student information with immigration enforcement officials;
- The College will not voluntarily grant access to College property to immigration enforcement officials;
- The College will not voluntarily participate in the enforcement actions of immigration officials on campus. College offices will continue to refrain from inquiring about or recording the immigration status of community members; and
- The College does not make housing decisions based on immigration status and will not do so.
The College will do everything within its power to promote the safety of any member of our community who may face heightened threat.
Furthermore, the Diversity Work Group has formed a subcommittee, which will both respond to the evolving needs of undocumented members of our community and others and address, in greater detail, the additional recommendations that students and faculty have already presented.
Northland College supports the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and urges its continuation in future administrations. Accordingly, we reaffirm our commitment to ensure that undocumented and DACA students continue to be admitted without regard to their financial status and continue to have full access to educational opportunities.
We are proud to add our voice to those rising around the country to protect social justice, mutual respect and tolerance, and the basic principles upon which this country was founded.
Sincerely, Michael A. Miller, President
[Image via Northland College]
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Last Update: Mar 03, 2017 2:55 pm CST
