November 18, 2016

Dear Members of the College Community,

In the past days, many of us have been contemplating the potentially adverse changes that may come with a new administration in Washington. Recent comments made by the president-elect about his plans to revise federal immigration policy have been particularly unsettling. Yesterday I received a petition signed by well over a thousand faculty, students, staff, and alumni that reveals the extent of the campus's concern for our undocumented students and those who are here under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

I share these concerns. The threat of deportation deeply affects certain members of this community, their family members, and their friends, and for that reason it affects all of us. We cannot know exactly how the future will unfold, but I am writing to confirm that the College remains steadfast in its support for our undocumented and DACA-status students—and for all students whose status might be threatened under the policies of a new administration.

The petition specifically asks the College to declare itself a sanctuary campus. In light of this, I want to be clear about our commitment: we can and will use all available means to protect the rights of our students to participate fully in the benefits of a Connecticut College education—both now and in the future. This promise is in keeping with our deepest values as an institution founded on principles of equity and access.

Yours,
 
Katherine Bergeron
President