TO: The Gustavus Community
FROM: President Rebecca Bergman
SUBJECT: Support for DACA Students
DATE: September 6, 2017
Gustavus Adolphus College was founded by immigrants, and from its inception in 1862, the College’s mission has been to prepare young people to lead lives of leadership and service in society. The recent decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program stands in contrast to the College’s values and our commitment to supporting students from all backgrounds as they seek an excellent liberal arts education.
At Gustavus, we recognize that our community and the education we offer must reflect the world that we all live in. We remain firmly committed to the principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and we stand together with many other institutions of higher education and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in opposing this change in policy.
We are committed to supporting our DACA students and all members of the Gustavus community during this time of uncertainty. I will also be contacting our elected officials to encourage them to support legislation that will allow the 800,000 DACA participants to continue to work, learn, and serve their communities. In the name of our core values of justice and community, I encourage you to do the same.
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