IU Issues Statement Regarding International Students

BLOOMINGTON – Indiana University Vice President for International Affairs
Hannah Buxbaum has issued a statement in response to updated guidance from
the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The new guidance states that
international students enrolled in online-only courses must leave the U.S.

The
<www.ice.gov/news/releases/sevp-modifies-temporary-exemptions-nonimm
igrant-students-taking-online-courses-during> DHS says the U.S. Department
of State will not issue visas to nonimmigrant F-1 and M-1 students who are
enrolled in schools that are fully online for the fall semester. Those
students are being required to depart the country or take other measures,
such as transferring to a school with in-person instruction. Additionally,
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will not permit such students to enter
the country.

Buxbaum says IU’s current plan is to welcome students back to its campuses
in August with a blend of in-person and online instruction.

“It is unconscionable to inflict this level of uncertainty on those who have
invested their time and trust in U.S. educational institutions, as it would
be to force our international students to leave their homes, their
classmates and their academic communities because of a university’s decision
made in the interest of public health and safety,” Buxbaum said. “It is
particularly unconscionable considering that ongoing travel restrictions and
the continued suspension of routine visa issuance for students make a return
to the United States far from guaranteed, jeopardizing students’ academic
degrees should their institutions return to normal operations.”

“We recognize that many of our international students, particularly those
beginning new programs with us, will not be able to arrive to the university
in time for the fall semester. We commit to offering them a robust course of
study remotely,” said Buxbaum.

Buxbaum says most of IU’s international students remained in the U.S. to
continue their studies as the COVID-19 pandemic spread, and the university
is committed to working with them to ensure their course schedules meet the
updated requirements.

Buxbaum says the university believes it can avoid disruptive consequences
for its students as a result of this guidance. The university says it is
“dismayed” by the guidance as it replaces the more flexible accommodation
offered during the spring and summer terms, which allowed international
students residing in the U.S. to take a fully online course load as colleges
and universities responded to the pandemic.

Source: Inside Indiana Business with Gerry Dick