University News

Chancellor's Message: ‘The Invasion of Ukraine is an Assault on Democracy Itself’

On Wednesday, March 2, Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy sent an email to staff, faculty and students regarding the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces.

That email is as follows: 

Dear Campus Community,

Like many in our community, I am distressed by the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces. This is an assault on democracy itself and the fundamental international principles of the sovereignty of nations and peaceful co-existence. The people of Ukraine who are standing up to tyranny are to be commended. Theirs is a defense of freedom, enlightenment and reason in the face of the Russian president’s campaign of intimidation and oppression.
 
Over the last few days we have been in direct contact with students, faculty and staff hailing from the region to offer whatever support and resources we can as a campus community. This outreach is led by the Dean of Students Office, Human Resources and the International Programs Office. The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration of which I am a member has joined with 177 organizations to call for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Special Student Relief (SSR) for Ukrainians living in the United States. I strongly urge U.S. Secretaries Mayorkas and Blinken to heed this call to ensure that the tragic loss of life in Ukraine is not compounded by economic and immigration marginalization for the Ukrainian communities in our midst.

Sincerely,

Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy