Reflecting on the Current Situation
Date: Tuesday, November 15, 2016
To: THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY
From: NYU President Andrew Hamilton
Dear NYU Colleagues,
Affected by a sharp national sense of divisiveness, many in our community are worried and unsettled, both by national events and by the echoes here on our own campus.
The effects of the election will play out across the country in the coming days and years. Here at NYU, we should remind ourselves who are we as a community: we reject intimidation and discrimination; we strive for diversity and inclusiveness; and we are a community in which each person takes as his or her responsibility the welfare and well-being of others, irrespective of citizenship, faith, race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation or any of the other identities that might, but surely need not, divide us.
A community is defined by its ideals as much as its membership. These are ours. And we should conduct ourselves in accord with them now and at all times.
With that in mind, I wanted to mention two specific items:
First, there was an incident at Tandon School of Engineering earlier in the week that involved the defacement of the door of the Muslim prayer room. The police were called and you can read here the statement we posted which clearly states that this behavior is unacceptable.
Also, I know that many on our campus have specific concerns about the status of undocumented students at NYU. The university's program to provide funding to undocumented students will continue; it will not be affected by any changes in federal funding. As is the case now, undocumented students will be treated exactly as all other students at NYU with regard to housing, privacy and all other matters.
Our home city, New York, is a "sanctuary city." This means that municipal law enforcement agencies do not alert federal immigration authorities about the immigration status of undocumented individuals except in very specific circumstances, such as in response to a judicial warrant for an individual wanted for a violent or serious felony. Moreover, NYU’s Department of Public Safety officers are not “sworn peace officers” and they do not have police powers; they are not asked to and they do not convey an undocumented individual's status to any other governmental entity.
You will find below a list of resources and events that maybe helpful to you.
Above all please stay connected with your colleagues and friends. This is an unusual time as our government undergoes transition, but rest assured that NYU will remain steadfast in adhering to its values and ideals.
Sincerely,
Andy Hamilton
For anyone who is struggling or experiencing bias incidents:
NYU Wellness Exchange
(212) 443-9999
NYU Bias Response Line
(212) 998-2277
bias.response@nyu.edu
NYU Public Safety
(212) 998-2222
Center for Multicultural Education and Programs (CMEP)
Moving Through the GNU:
The Office of Global Services (OGS) is here to support all students who are traveling through the global network. If you are concerned about their visa options or immigration status, please meet with an OGS advisor. You can contact the office at (212) 998-4720.
Issues for International Students:
The Office of Global Services (OGS) carefully monitors any news of changing regulations or policies for students and will contact international students if there are any changes. If students have specific questions about their status or travel plans, please meet with an OGS advisor during walk-in advising hours. OGS has very limited information on DACA procedures, but any member of the community can go to OGS with questions on this as well.
The Immigrant Rights Clinic at New York University School of Law is co-organizing an immigrant rights teach-in and know-your-rights gathering on Monday, November 28, 2016, at 6:00 pm, which will be open to both the NYU community and the public.
Upcoming Events:
Tuesday, November 15
Rising Above the Hate Rally
6:00 - 6:30 PM
Sponsored by the Muslim Students Association and the Islamic Center
Tandon Pfizer Auditorium, 5 Metrotech Center
What Matters Most
7:00 PM
An FFIR and student leader panel discussion of the notable events of the last year
Palladium Multi-Purpose Room
General Policy Workshop
8:30 - 9:30 PM
NYU's Roosevelt Institute (a student club) will be analyzing the Presidential Debates and Elections thoroughly while producing written policy pieces to submit for publication.
Wednesday, November 16
Lifting Up Black Lives
12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
NYU Global Spiritual Life
This is the FINAL of three events and held with Natalie Perkins in room 465 in GCASL. There will be a Christian prayer at noon and the space will be open until 1:00 pm for open prayer and meditative space.
The Forum: Women’s Reproductive Health: Investigative Journalists Offer a Front Line Report
12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
NYU Law
Thursday, November 17
Liberal Media Does Not Exist with Eric Alterman
6:00 – 8 PM
NYU Politics Society
Scholar Speaker Series: Politics in Motion
12:30 PM – 2:00 PM
International Education Week / Office of Global Services
Friday, November 18
Teach-in on Legal Rights and Challenges
2:00 PM
Hemmerdinger Hall
Sponsored by the Task Force on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Monday, November 21
Leadership Across the Political Divide
5:00 – 6:30 PM
NYU Leadership Initiative / NYU Wagner / NYU CAS
Tuesday, December 6
Feed The Soul
5:30 – 8:30 PM
NYU Global Spiritual Life and NYU CMEP
This event invites the black student community to commune over faith and spirituality while exploring resources for health and wellness available on campus.
Wednesday, December 7
Meals With Monroe
12:00 PM – 1:30 PM
NYU CMEP
Come join us for a festive and contemplative MWM as we welcome the winter, wrap up another great semester together, and share dialogue and build community! Refreshments will be served.
Thursday, December 8
Multifaith Open Mic Night
6:00 – 8:00 PM
NYU Global Spiritual Life
Saturday, December 10
NYU Public Policy Symposium: Immigration Reform
NYU students across campus and ideologies form together to research, negotiate, and write public policy for issue plaguing the United States.
Please let us know if you have any ideas for future programming or campus initiatives by contacting Marc Wais at 212-998-4401.