Washington State University President Kirk Schulz and other university leaders today reaffirmed WSU’s commitment to educating all students regardless of their immigration status.
In a letter to students, faculty and staff, Schulz, interim Provost Bryan Slinker, Administrative Professional Advisory Council Chair Stephanie Rink, Faculty Senate Chair Greg Crouch, and Associate Vice President Jaime Nolan with the Division of Student Affairs called the commitment a part of WSU’s longstanding institutional heritage. The reaffirmation comes as the U.S. Supreme Court begins to hear arguments over the legality of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, also known as DACA.
“As a land‑grant institution, we continue to proudly subscribe to the overarching principle upon which land grants were created 157 years ago: namely, that higher education should be accessible to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, citizenship, or other protected characteristic,” the group writes. “Put more simply, undocumented applicants to WSU—with or without DACA—will be considered for admission on the same basis as a U.S. citizen or any other applicant.”
The letter also spotlights resources and other services offered by the university’s Division of Student Affairs for undocumented students.
“At Washington State we believe our success is measured not by whom we exclude, but by whom we include, and by how we help them succeed,” the group adds. “Our ultimate goal transcends politics and remains squarely focused on supporting students in the attainment of their educational goals while equipping them for life‑long success.”
