CUNY Board of Trustees’ Message to Donald Trump

Edited by Gregg Morris

Statement from the Board of Trustees of The City University of New York

The City University of New York was founded on the principle of equal access and opportunity. CUNY’s commitment to protecting and supporting our students, regardless of immigration status, has not wavered throughout its 170-year existence.

Our nation would not have attained its level of greatness without the contributions of the thousands of students who have attended CUNY. About 40 percent of current CUNY undergraduates were born in another country, and like the diverse alumni who came before them, our students are committed to continuing the CUNY legacy of building a greater society for all.

In light of President Trump’s Executive Order, CUNY’s Board of Trustees reaffirms its long-standing commitment to welcoming, protecting and supporting our students, faculty and staff who are foreign nationals, immigrants or refugees. We remain committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and will steadfastly continue to offer a welcoming environment for students of all backgrounds. CUNY will take any steps available under the law to protect and support our undocumented students.

In these uncertain times, CUNY must and will remain a beacon of hope for so many trying to achieve the American Dream. This Executive Order will not threaten our core values as we strive to ensure that opportunity is preserved for all students, faculty and staff.

William C. Thompson, Jr., Chairman
Barry F. Schwartz, Vice Chairman
Wellington Z. Chen
Una S. T-Clarke
Lorraine A. Cortes-Vazquez
Rita DiMartino
Fernando Ferrer
Mayra Linares-Garcia
Judah Gribetz
Robert F. Mujica, Jr.
Jill O’Donnell-Tormey
Brian Obergfell
Charles A. Shorter
Ken Sunshine
Sandra Wilkin
Katherine Conway
Chika Onyejiukwa

 

Gregg Morris can be reached at gmorris@hunter.cuny.edu