From the Community | We must build a united front to defend international students

To the Stanford Community,

We are writing on behalf of many alumni who were residents and associates of the international theme houses at Lagunita Court between 1968 and 1971. Our shared Lagunita experience combining U.S. and international undergrad and grad students fostered lifelong personal and professional connections. International students are vital to Stanford’s excellence, and to Stanford’s mission as a global hub of learning and innovation.

We’ve shared this with Stanford’s leadership, who assured us that they are taking steps to address issues facing international students; however, we are concerned that their public silence is perceived as a weakness. We must unite to safeguard the open, diverse community that makes Stanford a beacon for the world.

We are aware of additional challenges by the current U.S. administration that threaten Stanford and other universities. The Stanford Daily reported that the budget bill passed by the House on May 22 imposes a 21% tax on Stanford’s endowment income. This threatens financial aid, which relies on the endowment for two-thirds of its $459 million budget, as well as research, faculty support and student services. Meanwhile, visa bans block international students, federal funding cuts cripple labs and accreditation threats, like those against Columbia University, undermine academic trust. 

Stanford’s leadership must do more than offer assurances. We call on the entire Stanford community to act:

• Sound the alarm. Share stories of international peers barred by visas, researchers stalled by cuts or financial aid at risk from the endowment tax. Post, write and publish in The Stanford Daily and beyond.
• Demand action. Organize forums with students, faculty and alumni to press Stanford’s leadership for a bold plan to counter these threats, from visa bans to the endowment tax.
• Build a coalition. Connect with communities at Columbia, Harvard and other universities to form a united academic front.
• Shape policy. Vote and advocate for policies that protect open education. Our collective voice can shift the tide.

Stanford’s motto, “The wind of freedom blows,” summons every one of us to defend the free exchange of ideas. Let’s rise as a community to ensure Stanford remains a home for all who seek to participate in Stanford’s mission of discovery and learning.

Nicol Ian Mackenzie ’73, M.S. ’76, M.D. ’81, Anesthesia Residency ’84.

Ian D. Smith, M.A ’70, Ph.D. ’71, Fulbright scholar ’68-‘71. Australian citizen and associate professor (retired), University of Sydney, Australia.

Heather E. Hudson, M.A. ’69, Ph.D. ’74. Professor Emerita, University of San Francisco (Dual Canadian and U.S. citizen).

The post From the Community | We must build a united front to defend international students appeared first on The Stanford Daily.