Stevens Institute President: Trump Ban Is Causing ‘Disruption and Anxiety’ On Campus

HOBOKEN, NJ — The president of Hoboken-based Stevens Institute of Technology has joined a growing chorus of North Jersey college administrators that oppose President Trump’s recent executive order to halt immigration from several countries in the name of stopping terrorism.

Trump’s executive order bans immigrants from several countries - Iraq, Syria, Iran, Sudan, Libya, Somalia and Yemen - from entering the United States for 90 days. The order, which also halted the U.S. refugee program for 120-days, is aimed at stopping “radical Islamic terrorists,” Trump has said.

Protests across the nation have been erupting in the wake of the order, with many activists decrying it as a violation of human rights.

• See related article: North Jersey Protests Trump’s Immigration Ban [VIDEOS, PHOTOS]

On Tuesday, the Stevens Institute Office of Student Life posted a statement from President Nariman Farvardin about Trump’s executive order on its Facebook page.

The text of the statement follows below.

“Stevens is enriched and strengthened by the talents, contributions, and engagement of a culturally, intellectually and geographically diverse community of students, faculty, administration, alumni, and collaborators. The executive order issued by the White House last Friday, which restricts entrance to the U.S. by individuals from seven Muslim-majority countries, has created disruption and anxiety for many throughout our campus and our extended community, their families, and their personal and professional networks.

“This executive order presents challenges to values that are central to the academy and to Stevens’ education and research programs, which are built upon inclusiveness and nondiscrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin or any other illegal basis. The implementation of this executive order could have a negative impact on the conduct of the core mission of Stevens and other universities throughout the U.S.—educating the world’s best and brightest students and creating new knowledge through research programs that aim to address society’s most vexing challenges. By curtailing the recruitment of students and faculty of the highest caliber from all nations of the world to U.S. universities and by restricting the free exchange of ideas and academic collaborations, this action has the potential to weaken our nation’s highly regarded system of higher education and the ability of universities to collaborate in global academic endeavors. Moreover, it has a particularly detrimental impact on universities such as Stevens, where students and scholars—many of whom are immigrants—are heavily engaged in international education and research programs and frequently take part in professional conferences requiring international travel.

“The leadership of Stevens and key offices have been closely monitoring this situation and its impact on members of our own community over the last several days, including making contact with faculty, staff and students who are directly affected. We are committed to providing support to members of our community who are or may be affected by this executive order. We will continue to track developments carefully and will provide additional guidance as warranted. We recommend that all members of the Stevens community from the affected countries avoid international travel until the impact of this dynamic situation becomes clearer.”

Other North Jersey university officials have also issued recent statements opposed to Trump’s immigration ban.

STEVENS INSTITUTE (HOBOKEN)

The president of Hoboken-based Stevens Institute of Technology said that the ban is causing “disruption and anxiety” on campus.

“This executive order presents challenges to values that are central to the academy and to Stevens’ education and research programs, which are built upon inclusiveness and nondiscrimination on the basis of race, religion, national origin or any other illegal basis,” Nariman Farvardin said. “The implementation of this executive order could have a negative impact on the conduct of the core mission of Stevens and other universities throughout the U.S.”

• See related article: Stevens Institute President: Trump Ban Is Causing ‘Disruption and Anxiety’ On Campus

SETON HALL (SOUTH ORANGE)

Seton Hall University President Gabriel Esteban said the ban may “adversely affect” members of the campus community.

“America’s generosity in opening our borders to those who yearn for opportunities and freedom from persecution is a long-standing tradition that made the United States a world leader and a beacon of freedom,” Esteban said. “Seton Hall University has historically welcomed and valued the intellectual diversity and vitality brought by our students and scholars from across the globe.”

• See related article: Seton Hall President: Trump Ban May ‘Adversely Affect’ Campus Community

MONTCLAIR STATE UNIVERSITY (MONTCLAIR)

Montclair State University President Susan Cole said that the college welcomes qualified students “regardless of immigration status,” and, except in circumstances mandated by federal law, the school does not inquire about or keep records of immigration status, nor does the University police department inquire about or record immigration status in the performance of its duties.

“The legality of this order is being challenged in various courts around the country,” Cole pointed out.

• See related article: MSU President: Students Welcome ‘Regardless Of Immigration Status’

CALDWELL UNIVERSITY (CALDWELL)

The Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities (ACCU) – which includes Caldwell University as a member – released a statement in “strong opposition” to Trump’s order.

Administrators staid that the group “stands in solidarity with other Catholic and higher education organizations that recognize the moral obligation of our country to assist migrants, particularly those who are fleeing any kind of persecution.”

• See related article: Caldwell University Joins Other Catholic Schools, Opposes Trump Ban

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Photo: Flickr Commons, Gildardo Sanchez