Dear UVM community,
Like many of you, we are paying close attention to the executive orders from our nation’s capital. We hear and understand your concerns about possible impacts on our community.
Be assured that the university remains committed to supporting our students and employees and ensuring that our values and mission are at the forefront of our decisions. The university follows the law, and existing university policies will continue to guide our actions and inform our understanding of, and response to, this complex and ever-changing situation.
By way of example, here are two existing university policies related to topics currently being discussed on campus:
https://www.uvm.edu/policies/subpoenas-complaints-warrants-and-other-legal-documents
https://www.uvm.edu/policies/government-reviews
As higher education navigates the new information coming from the federal government, we are participating in discussions with other universities and colleges. We are benefiting from open lines of communication with APLU (Association for Public Land grant Universities), ACE (American Council on Education), and our funding agencies. We are also in close touch with Vermont’s federal senators and house representative (federal delegation). These conversations keep us grounded in what requires action and what requires patience as we learn what will and will not be implemented or become law.
To help the community process and understand the evolving landscape, we are hosting an educational event for the entire campus on executive orders, the history of immigration, and navigating social media in these changing times on Tuesday evening, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. in Ira Allen Chapel. We expect to have engagement from our federal delegation as well as faculty experts in these areas.
We will be forming a small task force of experts in the coming weeks. If your work or expertise is particularly relevant and you would like to participate, please let us know.
We will communicate with you regularly going forward. We appreciate your understanding and value the strength of the UVM community and our commitment to constructive conversation.
Most sincerely,
Interim President Patricia Prelock
Acting Provost Linda Schadler