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Statement from President Kerry Healey Regarding Immigration Executive Order

Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, and Friends,

Babson College is an institution that embraces and celebrates Entrepreneurs of All Kinds®; entrepreneurial leaders of every race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, and socio-economic background who seek to use the transformative power of entrepreneurship to better their lives, businesses, and communities. We know that the Babson College experience is only strengthened and enhanced by the diversity of our community as we work to develop our students’ global mindset and prepare them to create great social and economic value – everywhere. With students from 82 countries, alumni spanning 114 countries, and faculty and staff members hailing from six continents, Babson is one of the most internationally diverse campuses in the U.S. Consequently, our community is deeply alarmed by the President’s January 27 order banning citizens of seven countries entry to the U.S.

While the legal interpretation of the executive order remains fluid and is being litigated, it currently bars entry to the United States for citizens of Iran, Iraq, Syria, Somalia, Sudan, Libya, and Yemen; suspends admission to all refugees for 120 days; and ends immigration from Syria indefinitely. In addition, the executive order has created uncertainty about freedom of movement for U.S. permanent residents who immigrated from the banned countries or those who wish to visit or return to the U.S. who hold dual citizenship with one of the banned countries and a third country.

Our first concern is for the safety and security of our students, faculty, and staff who may be directly impacted by this new U.S. policy. We have been assessing, and will continue to assess, the impact on members of our community and we are reaching out to better understand specific circumstances and to offer every support available under the law. We also wish to reassure our students that we regard their educational, financial aid, and admissions records as highly confidential and do not share these documents proactively, only as required by law. Many support services and resources are available for members of our community who have concerns. Please see the listing below for additional information about ways to access information and help on campus.

“… we will do everything in our power to ensure Babson College continues to bring together students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds – including those from the most politically and culturally polarized nations.”

This serious challenge for some members of our community impacts us all in that it threatens the core values we cherish: integrity, innovation, collaboration, excellence, and in particular, diversity. These values are essential to making the Babson College experience a truly transformative one for all who study, teach, or work here. I hope that, as we work to support and assist our community members whose lives have been upended by this new U.S. policy, we will reflect on our great blessings, core values, and the importance of academic freedom, and that these reflections will encourage us to model for our governments constructive cross-border collaboration to advance peace, prosperity, and tolerance. Our commitment to global academic engagement and to empowering entrepreneurs everywhere to create positive social and economic change in their communities is unshakable and transcends borders and shifting political climates. And we will do everything in our power to ensure Babson College continues to bring together students, faculty, and staff from all backgrounds – including those from the most politically and culturally polarized nations. Together, we will help build a better world for ourselves and for future generations.

Sincerely,

Kerry Healey
President
Babson College

Support Services and Resources Available

  • International Student & Scholar Services at the Glavin Office is a central resource for international students and scholars. Walk-in advising (no appointment needed):
    • Mondays/Wednesdays: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
    • Tuesdays/Thursdays: 10 a.m.-noon and 1:30-3:30 p.m.
  • Community Open Hours in the Diversity Suite, Park Manor Central, Monday 10 a.m.-noon and 2-6 p.m. and Tuesday 10 a.m.-noon, and 1-5 p.m.
    • The Diversity Suite is an open, affirming, safe, and non-judgmental place for reflection, discussion, and support. Staff from the Glavin Office, the Office of Faith and Service, and Student Affairs will be available.
  • Peace Circle Gathering, Glavin Family Chapel, Tuesday 1 p.m.
    • Peace Circle is a weekly gathering of students, staff, and faculty to join in reflection, encouragement, and communal prayer for peace and understanding. Please join us in solidarity and support for Muslims, refugees, and people from and connected to the countries on the executive order’s banned country list.
  • Public Safety can be reached 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 781-239-5555.
  • Counselors
    • Students who would like to speak with a counselor during normal business hours (Monday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.) should call (781) 239-6200 and request to speak with a counselor. Outside of normal hours or over the weekend, students should contact Public Safety at (781) 239-5555 and ask to be connected with the student affairs staff member on-call.
    • Faculty and staff who wish to speak with a counselor for support are encouraged to contact the Employee Assistance Program at (800) 648-9557.