Statement to the University Community Regarding Immigration Order - Division of Inclusion, Diversity & Equity

The University of Missouri is home to students, faculty and staff from around the world. In the wake of recent events surrounding national policy on immigration, we must show support for all members of our university community. We highly value both the educational and societal contributions made by our students, faculty and staff of all religious and ethnic backgrounds. Nearly 3,000 international students and 1,000 international scholars from 110 countries around the world call Mizzou home. They add greatly to our mission of teaching, learning and research at Mizzou and are leaders in diversity and inclusion.They also help make us an internationally recognized outstanding public research university. Nurturing a welcoming environment supportive of education and research is one of our top priorities. As a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and Association of Public Land-grant Universities (APLU), we have accepted the challenge of providing a total learning experience to all of our students.

This obligation is achieved through employing instructors and professors who have had the opportunity to learn from professionals and educators at global institutions. Our obligation is achieved by learning both in and outside the classroom from students with a broad range of life experiences. These experiences are priceless and essential to our core values of Respect, Responsibility, Discovery and Excellence.

To uphold those values, we must protect the rights, opportunities and safety of all of the members of the Mizzou family. We are working to understand the implications of the recent executive orders and judicial stays as they impact us.

We will continue to support our university community, and changes to international policy will not affect our university policies on nondiscrimination, privacy and safety:

The University of Missouri does not discriminate on the basis of national origin. Here is our full Statement of Nondiscrimination.
In compliance with state and federal laws, the University of Missouri protects the privacy of our students. We do not provide information on immigration status except when required by law.
In compliance with federal law, the enforcement of immigration law rests with Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection. The University of Missouri Police Department does not partner with other law enforcement agencies to enforce federal immigration law except when required to do so by law. MUPD does not ask about or record immigration status when performing their duties.
Both the Counseling Center and Behavioral Health through the Student Health Center offer confidential counseling services.
The Office of the UM System President, Interim Chancellor Hank Foley, MU Faculty Council, The International Center, Office of Graduate Studies and Graduate Professional Council among others have already offered support.