Dear CCA Students, Faculty, and Staff, 

We write today on behalf of the entire CCA community to express our unqualified support for our international students. 

On Monday, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced, without warning, a change in policy indicating that international students on F-1 visas will be required to take at least one in-person course this fall to re-enter or remain in the United States. International Student Affairs and Programs (ISAP) staff have contacted all affected students and are working closely with them to address their concerns and ensure they are able to maintain their non-immigrant status. Any international student who wants to be in the U.S. in the fall 2020 semester will have the option of at least one in-person/hybrid class as the newly announced policy requires.

Nonetheless, we find ICE’s actions to be alarming, cruel, and counter to the values we hold as an institution that derives immeasurable benefit from the creativity, innovation, and diversity of ideas, skills, and experiences that our international students—more than one third of our student body—bring to our campus.

We know this misguided and hurtful policy has created undue anxiety for our students, their families, and our entire community at a time when you are already facing extraordinary challenges. We want you to know that we stand with you—you are valued members of our CCA family, we want you here, and we will fight for you to continue to live, study, and participate fully in every aspect of our community.

Stephen Beal

President

Tammy Rae Carland

Provost