Resolution in Support of Undocumented and Non-Citizen WSU Students
The Washington State University Graduate and Professional Student Association
Resolution 2017.4
Approved by the GPSA Senate on April 17, 2017
WHEREAS, the mission of Washington State University (WSU) is “to apply knowledge through local and global engagement that will improve quality of life and enhance the economy of the state, nation, and world”; and
WHEREAS, according to the WSU values statement, “we are committed to ensuring trust and respect for all persons in an environment that cultivates individual and institutional integrity in all that we do”; and
WHEREAS, the WSU values statement on “Stewardship and Accountability” states “we are committed to serving as ethical and responsible stewards of University resources;” and
WHEREAS, a sub goal of the WSU values statement expresses that “we are committed to the land-grant ideals of access, engagement, leadership, and service to bring the practical benefits of education to the state, nation, and global community”; and
WHEREAS, another sub goal of the WSU values statement expresses that “we embrace a worldview that recognizes and values the importance of domestic and global diversity, global interdependence, and sustainability”; and
WHEREAS, on February 10, 2017 a man who was brought to the U.S. illegally as a child but was protected from deportation by the Obama administration has been taken into custody in Seattle by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency; and
WHEREAS, fliers were found scattered around the WSU campus on February 14, 2017 that read, “a notice to all citizens of the United States of America, it is your civic duty to report any and all illegal aliens to U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement; they have broken the law”; and
WHEREAS, in accordance with federal law, the enforcement of immigration law rests with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection; and
WHEREAS, in a message reaffirming support for undocumented students at WSU, President Kirk Schulz wrote, “at WSU we want an environment that is welcoming for everyone and we continue to remain very supportive of our undocumented students”.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Graduate & Professional Student Association (GPSA) of Washington State University supports students without regard to their immigration status; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, GPSA urges WSU to maintain a strong commitment to the privacy of student records for all students, consistent with state and federal laws; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, GPSA further urges WSU to not provide information on immigration status to anyone except when required by law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, GPSA further urges WSU Campus police to not partner with federal, state, or other local law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration law except when required to do so by law, in order to facilitate a welcoming and supportive campus for all students; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, upon passage this resolution shall be sent to Governor Jay Inslee, Attorney General Bob Ferguson, WSU President Kirk Schulz, WSU Provost Dan Bernardo, WSU Vice President of Student Affairs Mary Jo Gonzales, WSU Dean of Students Melynda Huskey, Vice President for External Affairs and Government Relations Colleen Kerr, Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education Mary Wack, WSU Chief of Police Bill Gardner, and GPSA President Melanie Thornton.
Signed by:
Melanie Thornton, GPSA President
Brittany Wood, GPSA Executive Vice President
Kathryn Harris, GPSA Vice President of Legislative Affairs
*For the official signed version, please visit Resolution in Support of Undocumented and Non-Citizen WSU Students.