We, members of the SFU Iranian Club, call on the SFU administration and senior leadership to recognize and respond to the urgent challenges currently faced by Iranian international students because of the ongoing crisis in Iran.

Since early 2026, widespread protests, government repression, and prolonged internet disruptions have limited access to communication and essential online services. At the same time, Iran’s political and economic future remains deeply uncertain. Ongoing regional tensions and concerns about potential escalation and war have created constant anxiety for families inside the country and for students at SFU.

For Iranian international students at SFU, these conditions have had immediate and severe consequences. Internet restrictions have disrupted communication and interfered with access to banking and international money transfers. Many students rely on family support for tuition, housing, and daily living expenses and have faced delays and financial strain, creating ongoing concern that these challenges may intensify.

Without institutional flexibility and targeted support, affected students remain vulnerable to academic penalties, financial hardship, and declining mental health.

We acknowledge that members of the SFU community and administration have taken initial steps to engage with this issue, and we appreciate these efforts. However, many students continue to experience significant financial and academic uncertainty, making further institutional support essential. As an institution publicly committed to diverse, equitable and inclusive community, SFU has both a moral duty and a vested interest in protecting its students. Allowing them to be academically or financially penalized by a geopolitical crisis contradicts these values and damages SFU's reputation as a university that stands by its international students. We therefore call on SFU administration to:

• Provide flexibility regarding tuition deadlines, late fees, and administrative penalties;
  Establish and expand emergency bursaries and targeted financial assistance programs;
• Commit to ongoing consultation with Iranian student organizations;
• Provide flexible academic accommodations for affected students;
• Develop clear procedures for academic and financial accommodations.

Iranian students at SFU deserve meaningful institutional support during this period of uncertainty. We call on the SFU community to stand in solidarity and urge university leadership to act without delay.

Image Credit: @mahsa.shirkani