President Wippman’s Writings & Remarks

Supporting All Members of our Community

December 6, 2016

Tags Public Statements

Members of the Hamilton Community,

In the aftermath of the presidential election, emotions continue to run high, on campus and around the country. I have heard directly from students who feel threatened and unsafe, even here on campus, and from students who worry about their families or friends.

As I said in my November 5 email to the campus, we are a community. What affects one of us, affects us all. It is incumbent upon all of us then to do everything we can to ensure that Hamilton offers a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment in which all members of our community can thrive.

Particular concerns have been expressed for members of our community whose immigration status may put them at risk. With that in mind, over 1,100 students, faculty, staff, and alumni have signed a petition urging that I investigate the possibility of declaring Hamilton a sanctuary campus.

As someone whose career has centered on international law and human rights, I share many of the concerns that have been expressed. At Minnesota, I took the lead in establishing the Center for New Americans, which provides urgently needed legal services to noncitizens and engages in impact litigation to improve immigration law and policy. More recently, I joined other college and university presidents in a statement urging continuation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

Because the term sanctuary campus means different things to different people, I think it best to focus on specific ways in which members of our community may need our support. I discussed our options with the Board of Trustees last Friday, and I want to share with you how I intend to move forward.

First, the College does not now and will not in the future share information about the immigration status of our students, unless legally required to do so.

Second, the College does not now and will not in the future assist with the enforcement of immigration laws against members of the campus community, unless we are legally required to do so. Campus Safety does not and will not ask students or other members of our community about their immigration status. In the absence of exigent circumstances (e.g., an imminent safety threat), police or other law enforcement agencies that wish to carry out immigration enforcement activity on campus need a warrant or court order and that will continue to be our practice in the future.

Third, we are exploring ways to provide legal and other assistance to any undocumented member of our community who needs it. Every one of our students enriches our community in unique ways, but all should be able to enjoy equally the full benefits of a Hamilton education.

Finally, as an academic community, we have a special responsibility to explore the issues that have produced so much polarization in recent months and to model the respectful dialogue that characterizes an engaged learning community. We should not only welcome but insist upon hearing a broad range of viewpoints and treat with respect even those with whom we most disagree.

David