Dear UFV Community,

Please find below a statement from Universities Canada on behalf of our fellow members regarding U.S. President Trump’s executive order preventing people from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the US. We share deeply the concern about the effect this has on the free flow of knowledge, ideas, and people that is central to our values as a university and as a society.

Our immediate concern is the impact on you, our students, faculty and staff, and on your families, your education and your work. We will do our best as a university to assist you.

Students affected by this ban should contact our Vice-President, Students and Enrolment Management, Jody Gordon at jody.gordon@ufv.ca.

International students can connect with our Executive Director UFV International, David McGuire at david.mcguire@ufv.ca.

Faculty affected by the ban, including visiting scholars and others on temporary permits or in transit, should contact Ken Brealey, Associate Vice-Provost, Faculty Relations at ken.brealey@ufv.ca

Staff should contact Dianne Hicks, Director, Human Resources and Staff Relations at dianne.hicks@ufv.ca.

Let us also take this opportunity to express our anger, revulsion and grief over the attack on a mosque in Quebec City this weekend.  These events do not reflect the values that we hold dear.  At the very least, we ask that each of you reach out to those around you and through your actions demonstrate how much we value diversity and inclusion at UFV.

Sincerely,

Mark Evered, President & Vice-Chancellor

Eric Davis Provost & VP Academic

Jody Gordon, VP Students & Enrolment Management

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Universities Canada statement in response to U.S. executive order

January 29, 2017

OTTAWA – Canada’s universities are deeply concerned about a new executive order issued in the United States Friday preventing individuals from seven Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. for 90 days. This action affects students, faculty and staff at Universities Canada’s 97 member universities.

The executive order restricting travel into the U.S. affects research partnerships, international studies, academic conference participation, field visits and in some cases family relationships of our university students, faculty and staff. The new order is having an impact on Canadian campuses and communities that is real, immediate and profound.

The Association of Public and Land-grant Universities says the “ability of faculty to continue teaching or conducting research is uncertain” because of the order.  Universities Canada supports the call from the American Association of Universities for this ban to “end as quickly as possible”.

Canada’s universities continue to welcome students, faculty and staff from around the world, including those seeking refuge from violence and hardship. They strengthen Canada’s university communities, bringing new knowledge, talent and skills to higher education, research and innovation – to the benefit of all Canadians.

We support Prime Minister Trudeau’s recent statement that Canada will continue to welcome those “fleeing persecution, terror and war” regardless of faith and affirming that “diversity is our strength”.

Universities Canada does not typically comment on executive action being taken by another country, but we do so today because of the real impediment this new executive order poses to the free flow of people and ideas and to the values of diversity, inclusion and openness that are hallmarks of a strong and healthy society.

Additional links:
Association of American Universities

Association of Public and Land-grant Universities

Canadian Tech Community