Tripathi reaffirms UB's support for DACA

Dear University Community:

Yesterday, on behalf of our university, I once again publicly expressed UB’s support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program by co-signing a letter with my fellow educational leaders from the Association of American Universities (AAU).

To further underscore our commitment to a diverse and inclusive campus community, I, on behalf of our SUNY campus, have also wholly supported SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman H. Carl McCall and SUNY Chancellor Kristina M. Johnson in urging Congress to protect the earned rights of New York State’s 42,000 DACA enrollees. In calling for a fair and permanent solution for DACA participants, Chairman McCall and Chancellor Johnson state that “SUNY’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion will not falter.”

Since 2012, DACA has enabled hundreds of thousands of young people to realize their potential through education and employment. We at UB have always upheld this commitment to providing equal opportunity for all students to pursue their life goals. Providing a permanent legal solution for DACA participants is imperative.

As I have publicly stated recently — and on many occasions in the past — our institution fully supports the DACA program. All students, including DACA students across our state and our nation, should have the opportunity to pursue their educational goals and their professional aspirations. Our mandate as a public research university is to contribute to the educated citizenry that is so critical to a robust democracy.

Sincerely,

Satish K. Tripathi
President