Faculty Senate: Northern Arizona University
Approved by the NAU Faculty Senate September 11, 2017
The Faculty Senate supports an environment conducive to teaching and learning that fully incorporates opportunities for all students to study and learn free from discrimination, harassment, and fear of deportation. Therefore, we strongly object to the recent move to rescind DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) which threatens the ability of nearly 38,000 Arizonans to live, work, learn, and contribute to the economy of our state. Thus, we reaffirm our commitment to inclusion and access for ALL NAU students, faculty, and staff, regardless of their immigration status, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, ability, or orientations. A diverse student body is central to NAU’s success. [i]
We fully endorse the recently issued position of the Arizona Board of Regents, included below.
Statement from ABOR President Klein Regarding Trump Decision to Rescind DACA
“The Arizona Board of Regents has consistently called upon President Trump and Congress to enact meaningful immigration reform that provides legal certainty for students who are DACA recipients. Today, through the President’s action, Congress has a window of time to find a sensible and humane legislative solution to shield our DACA students from deportation and enable their future in our country. We encourage them to act swiftly and justly.
The Arizona Board of Regents is committed to making a university education more affordable while promoting success for all aspiring students. The board will continue to work with Arizona’s congressional delegation to encourage new laws to allow Arizona DACA students legal certainty regarding their immigration status so that these students can continue their education uninterrupted and without fear.”
The Faculty Senate also applauds the Board’s continuing support of DACA students in the setting of tuition.
[i] NAU remains committed to serving students of all ethnicities, including the 6,635 Hispanic/Latino students who are part of NAU’s community, a 150% increase since 2007.
( https://www7.nau.edu/pair/reports/StudentCharacteristics)