Drew students are unaffected under current government guidelines due to school’s hybrid fall plans
July 2020 – In a statement to the Drew University community, President MaryAnn Baenninger offered “unequivocal support” for the school’s international students, faculty and staff.
The statement comes following guidelines released by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that prohibit international students from remaining in the country if their course loads are entirely online during the upcoming fall semester—a situation that Drew’s plans for a hybrid in-person, online semester avoids.
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“This information was not expected, nor does it aid in the alleviation of the challenges our international students already grapple with in the face of this unprecedented global pandemic,” said President Baenninger in the statement.
“However, because Drew has adopted a hybrid model of instruction for the fall semester—a mixture of online and in person classes—it appears at this time that our students will overall be unaffected by this news. Nonetheless, we do not support this policy decision and are working with our colleagues at other institutions and in professional organizations to express our opposition, and to advocate for our international students with our local and state representatives. We know that SEVP and ICE continue to develop interim policy guidance, and we are diligently following these developments so that we may share the most up-to-date information with current students.”
Baenninger noted Drew’s pride in its top 10 ranking among baccalaureate colleges for international student enrollment.
“We open our doors widely because we value the excellence, engagement, and diversity our international students bring to The Forest,” she said.
“To our international students in all three schools at Drew: We are here to support you, and we will continue to closely monitor SEVP guidance to help you prepare for the fall semester.”
