Key points:

1. This will be a CHOICE for international students, not mandatory

2. This helps international students MAINTAIN THEIR STUDENT STATUS even if they don’t have the means to return to the US in the fall

3. This helps non-international students and international students already in the US by decoupling Columbia’s decision for next academic year from the difficult situation caused by the recent ICE policy.

We call for a Study Away option similar to Cornell University’s that gives the CHOICE for international students to study in their home countries. This could mean taking a combination of Columbia online courses and in person classes in the local university (Cornell’s plan). Crucially, this offers a way for international students who may not have the means to return to campus to MAINTAIN THEIR STUDENT STATUS regardless of what model Columbia adopts for next academic year.

This is a response to the most recent ICE policy, which demands that if Columbia offers a hybrid model, its international students must return to campus and cannot choose to take online classes remotely. However, due to travel restrictions the US still places on many countries, and due to VISA delays, many are not able to return and risk to lose their status.

Please help support Columbia University’s international students whether you are a international student yourself! Thank you!!