Statement in advance of the Oct. 19 Trump Wall protest and counterprotest at WSU:
PULLMAN, Wash. – As we noted in a message emailed to the Washington State University community earlier this month, WSU cherishes freedom of expression on its campuses. In fact, protecting the free exchange of ideas while encouraging dialogue that is constructive, respectful and civil is one of the university’s core values.
Similarly, we hold diversity and global citizenship as a core institutional value – it is a value essential for success in our globally interdependent world.
WSU also embraces its founding precepts as a land-grant institution of higher education: We are committed to providing all students with equal access to affordable higher education and to ensuring they are provided the opportunity to fulfill their potential and their dreams.
In that vein, we are proud, as a university community, to offer life-changing college experiences to our undocumented students as authorized by the state. Like all of our students, our talented undocumented students have earned the opportunity to attend college.
On a practical basis, WSU has been a state higher education leader in identifying the needs and establishing the resources to support undocumented students. For example, WSU’s Crimson Achievement Pathways Team is a group of faculty, staff and students dedicated to improving access for and retention of undocumented students. With its support, in cooperation with the state, the university has established scholarship programs to aid undocumented students.
It’s important to remind ourselves, too, that diversity in all its forms benefits each of us. Interacting and learning with people from a diversity of backgrounds stimulates intellectual growth, encourages collaboration and fosters innovation – essential building blocks in creating community.
Our university belongs to all of us, and we are all valued members of the Cougar Nation.
Kirk Schulz
President
Dan Bernardo
Provost and Executive Vice President
Melynda Huskey
Interim Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students
News media contact:
Robert Strenge, WSU News, 509-335-3583, rstrenge@wsu.edu
