University Business - June 2010 - (Page 14)

BEHIND the NEws Making Sense of SB 1070 Leaders at arizona higher ed institutions have been maintaining proactive responses to concerns about whether their policies may change as a result of sB 1070, a new law that makes it a crime to be in arizona without legal immigration status. Local and state law enforcement authorities—including campus police— are now authorized to ask those they might suspect of being illegal to provide a form of verification that proves their legal status. the University of Arizona has experienced the after-effects of the law. For one, the National Autonomous University of Mexico and the Autonomous University of San Luis Potosí (Mexico) have halted student-exchange programs over worries of students being harassed. also, about a dozen out-of-state students indicated by email they would not attend Ua this fall. in an e-mail from President robert shelton to the Ua community, he stated that the students’ families “have told us that they are changing their plans and will be sending their children to universities in other states.” Melissa Vito, VP for student affairs, says she has heard concerns from students and families that the law could lead to racial profiling. how are other institutions faring? as of press time, Northern Arizona University’s Public affairs director tom Bauer says there has been no indication of any students not attending due to the law. tom gariepy, a spokesperson for The Maricopa Community Colleges, says it is uncertain at this time if students are rescinding, but rather thinks more will enroll there because of financial reasons. But at Arizona State University, President Michael Crow has said that 15 to 20 faculty applicants have dropped out because of the law and some students from other countries have decided not to come. U Arizona’s higher ed leaders stay focused in wake of controversial immigration law Since the law took effect, the University of Arizona has received e-mails from out-of-state students saying they will attend universities elsewhere instead. still, spokesperson Julie newberg says officials expect operations to continue as normal. “asU has been, and will continue to be, warm and welcoming to all races and cultures, including international students. in fact, we plan to double the number of international students who attend.” in terms of policing, newberg states the university’s id card meets what asU police would require as proof of being here legally. “our police will not have to change how they operate because of this law.” in his message, Ua’s shelton writes that police will receive extensive training on the law’s specifications. some education associations have come out in opposition to the law. saCnas, a national society of scientists, will not consider arizona as a possible site for its 2012 national conference, stating the law “virtually guarantees harassment of its conference attendees, most of whom are hispanic.” the american educational research association’s governing council voted to no longer hold meetings in arizona unless the state law is rescinded or aera revisits the issue. in a media release, aera argues the “law is so broad in its reach and enforcement powers that it can have an adverse impact on the freedom to travel or assemble without encroachment.” What can leaders at arizona’s higher ed institutions do? antonio Flores, president and Ceo of the hispanic association of Colleges and Universities, advises administrators to be up front in taking an objective stance on the law without infringing upon its legal implications and to reassure both staff and students about where they stand. the constituents “will be respectful that [officials] will be consistent on that.” —Michele Herrmann universitybusiness.com 14 | June 2010 sCott KirKessner http://universitybusiness.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of University Business - June 2010

University Business - June 2010
Contents
Editor's Note
College Index
Company Index
Advisory Board
Behind the News
Sense of Place
Financial Aid
Internet Technology
2010 Higher Education Guide to Audio/Visual Services
Green 2010
Viewpoint
The Quest for Internationals
What's New
End Note

University Business - June 2010