Engaging With Student Concerns

Dear Campus Community,

I’ve heard concerns from members of our community about the students who are participating in a hunger strike as a form of protest. I acknowledge their passion and dedication to advocacy, and appreciate your regard for their welfare—this culture of care is part of what makes our community strong. Student Affairs and Emmons Wellness staff have been in regular contact with these students since Monday, with a focus on their health and wellbeing, and will continue to advise students on how to make the safest decisions for their own health. 

Through scheduled meetings and walks through the quad, I am constantly meeting with our students and student groups to discuss whatever issues are of great concern for them. I’ve talked with the students engaging in this protest, and others across campus, about these concerns many times over the last several months, including yesterday afternoon. In this case, many of the initiatives that students are advocating for are already in place, based on the work we’ve been doing this semester for the benefit of our international students and academic community. While we may not agree on all of the tactics to get there, I fundamentally believe that we do align on the future we want to build. 

Oxy’s leadership continues to work fervently with peer institutions and membership organizations to push back on troubling decisions of the current presidential administration. Just today, the Trump administration reversed action on over 1,500 student visa cancellations, and we applaud this direction. We will continue to oppose government efforts to restrain Occidental’s institutional autonomy, impede the enrollment of international students, or threaten the mission-driven work of higher education more broadly.

We remain committed to protecting international students and will continue to support them in word and action, bringing all legally and practically available resources to bear. 

Sincerely,

Tom