We the undersigned faculty members state the following concerning recent government immigration actions:

The College of New Rochelle—the first Catholic women’s college in New York State—was founded to expand the availability of quality higher education to those to whom it was restricted. One hundred and thirteen years later, our dedication to the principles of inclusion and opportunity is greater than ever before.

We are an institution of remarkable diversity. Our community includes women and men of various ethnicities, beliefs, backgrounds, and sexual orientations. It includes women and men from North America, South America, Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Europe. It includes Christians, Muslims, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, atheists, and others. It includes U.S. citizens, immigrants, foreign visitors, and undocumented residents. This diversity is not just part of our identity. It is our strength. It is fundamental to who we are as a college.

Last month, President Trump signed an executive order restricting travel to the United States from seven Muslim-majority countries. While the legality of this order has been challenged, the government continues to issue new policies. In this climate of uncertainty and anxiety, we wish to reaffirm our commitment to the well-being of our students, and to the ideals of justice, ecumenism, equity, and mutual respect.

Just as important, we wish to offer our support and counsel to those students who may be directly affected by recent events, and who may be concerned about how to interpret or respond to them. Your safety, your security, and your privacy are of the utmost importance to us. We stand ready to offer you whatever advice or guidance you may need. Our doors are open to you.

CNR’s Mission Statement asserts: “The College is committed to a respect and concern for each individual.” No student, no matter where they come from or how they worship, is omitted from this sentiment. Now more than ever, we wish this to be clear.