Our mission and values will guide us through changing times

This message was sent to students, staff, and faculty and academic personnel across the University of Washington.

Dear UW community,

Every change of U.S. presidential administration brings with it changes in federal policy. But the whirlwind of executive orders and policy directives of this last week, combined with rumors of more to come, have created anger and fear for many in our community, while eliciting support from others. Whether in favor or against, or some of each, rapid change and uncertainty can be a source of anxiety and distress, especially when it is still unclear what some of these orders will actually entail and how they may affect our students, faculty or staff and our University community more broadly. Please know that we are closely evaluating and monitoring these policies and the possible impacts they could have on members of our community and on our public values of access and excellence in teaching, research, service and patient care and are in the process of evaluating how to deal with various scenarios.

We’ve provided a list of possible resources for information or support at the bottom of this message [see sidebar] that we will update as necessary. These include resources for undocumented students and for the many international students and scholars in our community since one of the largest concerns is around changes to federal immigration policies. We have been in close touch with undocumented students and international students and scholars since the fall and will continue to communicate with them directly as needed.

One area of special concern given our University and state’s ongoing commitment to the educational success of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and undocumented students is how to respond in the event that federal officials from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other representatives seek information about undocumented students and/or come to a UW campus or facility for an enforcement action.

Washington state law prohibits the sharing of information or use of state resources, including University resources, to target Washington residents solely on the basis of race, religion, immigration, citizenship status, or national or ethnic origin. In addition, most student information is protected by federal law (FERPA). While immigration officials cannot enter a classroom, laboratory, campus residence or private office without an appropriate warrant or judicial order, we are not legally permitted to prevent federal immigration officials from coming into the public spaces of a UW campus or facility. And there might be instances when we will be required to respond to valid warrants or judicial orders.

If immigration officials come to your classroom, laboratory, campus residence or office, you must immediately contact the relevant safety office — their numbers are listed below. They’ll work with the Attorney General’s Office so that we can respond appropriately given relevant state and federal laws. Employees should also notify their supervisor. We would also appreciate it if you would contact your safety office if you become aware of immigration officials on a campus or at a UW facility more generally. Finally, Washington Governor Bob Ferguson today issued an executive order directing his administration to make preparations for supporting children whose caregivers are detained or deported, including working with the state’s colleges and universities to support students facing these situations. More directives or support from the state may be forthcoming.

Questions have also been raised about federal policy changes related to diversity, equity and inclusion programs. More specific guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Attorney General will be issued, but that guidance is not expected for several weeks. The same can be said of an executive order regarding a review of federal visa policies and of an executive order on gender identity, including that order’s impact on federal regulations governing sex- and gender-based discrimination, including Title IX.

We are committed to supporting our community while navigating this difficult terrain. While we await additional information from federal agencies, we remain in compliance with state and federal laws that guide our programs. We will continue activities as planned until or unless we are notified differently. We also remain in close contact with the Washington Attorney General’s office to ensure the important work we do in the service of access and excellence is protected to the full extent allowable by law.

Other changes, while unquestionably disruptive, are expected to be temporary, such as the pause on communications from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through Feb. 1, including meetings to award federal health research grants. However, we remain highly concerned and are closely monitoring potential changes to how federal grants may be awarded, administered and/or discontinued. And, as you may know, there are still other executive orders and policies that are already being challenged in the courts or require congressional approval to implement.

We have and will continue to provide information to all academic and administrative leaders, and the entire UW community as necessary, when there is more definitive information to share, including from our state’s leaders.

Since the UW opened its doors during the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, our community has navigated through booms and busts, times of war and times of peace, two pandemics, technological revolutions, dramatic shifts in federal, state and local policies, and immense changes in our economy, population and society.

Through all these changes, we have remained committed to our mission of public service — to providing a world-class education and engaging in cutting-edge and life-changing scholarship, research and patient care, with a focus on enabling everyone in our community to thrive. Our commitment to our mission and our values remains steadfast and strong and will serve as our guide as we navigate these current changes.

Sincerely,

Ana Mari Cauce
President
Professor of Psychology