GVL / Macayla Cramer
Following a number of executive actions from President Donald Trump related to immigration, many faculty members at Grand Valley State University have expressed growing concerns over how the University is addressing both federal policy and communicating developments with the campus community.
On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Trump revoked standing policies that had limited where and how Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can carry out arrests. Since Trump’s action allows ICE to enter schools and churches, the policy’s revocation has spurred many concerns among staff at GVSU.
Trump’s removal of safeguards for ICE operations led several faculty members to reach out to the University for guidance.
GVSU professors within the Philosophy and History Departments sent messages of concern to various University figures, including Grand Valley Police Chief Brandon DeHaan, Acting Provost Jennifer Drake and the Director of People, Equity and Culture, Robert Shorty. The University’s answer was the same across the board– concerned parties should reach out to the Office of General Counsel or GVPD, and follow Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines.
“I was wanting something (communication) a little bit more forceful (from the University) when the Trump administration took over,” said Mike Huner, a GVSU history professor that reached out to Drake.
Neither DeHaan nor Shorty responded to the Lanthorn’s request for comment on the subject.
Under FERPA, no professor is legally allowed to disclose information about a student without written consent, which would apply to ICE agents in the classroom. Should the situation arise, professors are advised to direct any in-classroom conflict with ICE to the Office of General Counsel for their expertise with legal issues. The Office of General Counsel was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.
Huner credits Drake for her response, but persists that GVSU should do more to respond to immigration-related concerns.
“I would appreciate if a more generalized statement from the upper administration speaking to those matters (ICE presence) would be circulated,” Huner said.
Huner considers Grand Rapids Public Schools’ response to recent federal policy effective. The school district issued a detailed guideline in January advising teachers how to respond if ICE comes into their schools.
Huner recommends those with immigration concerns attend a Know Your Rights presentation, which provides information on immigration law to students and faculty. The University’s Inclusion and Equity Institute will be holding a presentation on Friday, Feb. 28.
Campus response to ICE presence has also been a topic of conversation within both GVSU Housing and Residence Life and the University’s Tutoring and Reading Center. Faculty and staff received the same, aforementioned guidelines– to contact the Office of General Counsel if a situation with ICE should arise on campus.
“My chief concern will first and foremost always just be the safety of our students,” said Keigh-Cee Bell, director of Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction at the Tutoring and Reading Center. “I want the Tutoring and Reading Center, and all of our tutoring centers, to be a safe and healthy learning environment for everybody.”
On Feb. 3, the University launched a webpage to share information and guidelines related to any changes connected with federal policy actions. This page posted the same guidelines sent to faculty and staff. Beyond the brief message, no further guidelines or protocols have been shared by GVSU.
It seems faculty and staff concerns spread past immigration policy and response. Many faculty members feel there is not enough communication from the University regarding a number of the Trump administration’s actions.
“If you ask around, it’s not just this (ICE-related policy),” stated a GVSU professor, who asked to remain anonymous due to the issue’s sensitivity. “It’s other issues concerning executive actions coming from (President Trump). If you ask around, you’ll find concerns from other faculty about why there isn’t more forceful statements coming from the upper administration of the University.”