Responding to recently announced federal policy it views as “unjust and damaging,” Washington State University on Wednesday pledged its support for international students, emphasizing their valued status as members of the Coug community as well as the university’s commitment to assisting them.
“At a time when universities nationally are creating plans and contingencies to ensure the safety of students, faculty, and staff during the COVID‑19 global pandemic, flexibility in delivering classwork is critical,” WSU President Kirk Schulz and other university leaders said in a signed statement.
The complete statement is available online. Joining Schulz in signing the statement were interim Provost and Executive Vice President Bryan Slinker, incoming Provost and Executive Vice President Elizabeth Chilton, Vice President for International Programs Asif Chaudhry, Vice President of Student Affairs Mary Jo Gonzales and Vice President for External Affairs and Government Relations Colleen Kerr.
WSU’s Office of International Programs is developing strategies to retain international students, while plans are in the works to ensure students enrolled for the fall semester receive a balance of live and remote courses.
The university’s International Student and Scholars Emergency Aid Fund was also reestablished in partnership with the WSU Foundation, and those with questions or who are in need of assistance can contact International Programs at ip.intlservices@wsu.edu.
