Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,

          On Monday, July 6, 2020, U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) released new guidelines regarding temporary exemptions to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) which has potential to negatively affect international students in the U. S. on F-1 and other visas impacted by the guidelines.  Texas State University is deeply concerned about these new guidelines and is fully committed to providing a safe and supportive environment to our international students who make valuable contributions to the academic, creative, and cultural endeavors of the university and to our diverse and inclusive campus community overall. To that end, Texas State is standing with our peers in opposing this new guidance through whatever lawful means may be available.

          We believe that our Roadmap to Return, which features a hybrid approach (online, face-to-face, and hybrid classes), minimizes the impact of the new regulations on F-1 students. Several of our offices and advisors including International Student and Scholar Services, The Graduate College, graduate advisors, and undergraduate advising centers are working with international students to ensure that their fall schedule meets the new guidelines.  Should health and safety concerns related to COVID-19 require us to temporarily switch to a fully online course delivery mode, the university is developing a contingency plan for international students so that they may continue their studies at Texas State as they had originally intended. Texas State is working diligently to limit the impact of this rule on our international students.

                                                          Sincerely,

                                                          Denise M. Trauth

                                                          President