Statement from the Executive Director Regarding the Executive Order on Immigration Restrictions
Dear Members of the USG Community,
As you may know, President Trump issued an executive order on January 27th, which denies travelers from seven countries entry into the United States. The turmoil caused by this and other immigration executive orders have created anxiety and uncertainty throughout the nation, particularly at colleges and universities.
The Universities at Shady Grove (USG) upholds the belief that every member of our community is valued and makes an important contribution to our educational mission. One of USG’s greatest strengths and pride is its diversity among students, faculty and staff. We value and strive to preserve a welcoming environment for people from all backgrounds, experiences, perspectives and nationalities.
USG and our partner institutions are committed to providing all students with a safe and supportive educational environment. We will continue to comply with all applicable federal and state immigration laws and regulations—including FERPA, which protects students’ privacy.
We encourage all members of the USG community to utilize USG’s free and confidential Counseling and Consultation Center, as well as other resources available on their home campus. Additional information is available on our website: Resources for International Students and Undocumented Student Resources.
I would like to reaffirm in the strongest terms USG’s commitment to diversity and inclusion as a core value. I am committed to ensuring that the members of our community are respected, free to exchange ideas, and explore different perspectives. If you have questions, comments, or concerns about these issues, please contact me at USG-ExecDirector@umd.edu.
In this time of unsettling change, it is more important than ever to demonstrate pride and unity, which is why I invite you to participate in USG’s International Night hosted by the Student Event Board on February 23rd.
We pledge our commitment to protecting our academic community as one of inclusion and diversity, where every student’s background and perspective enhances the education of all.
Sincerely,
Stewart Edelstein, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, USM
Executive Director, Universities at Shady Grove
Office: 301-738-6034
Fax: 301-738-6060