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Leaders’ statement on executive order: ‘We must be more inclusive, not less’
University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green joined fellow University of Nebraska system chancellors and NU system President Hank Bounds in a statement Jan. 30 raising concern about President Trump’s executive order temporarily banning entry into the United States by citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries.
The statement was signed by the five leaders and was being sent to all four institutions in the NU system. It also reaffirmed the university system’s commitment to its values of inclusion.
“Some of you have written to us directly to express your concerns about how the ban could affect the safety and well-being of our students, faculty and staff. We share those concerns,” the statement read. “We are unanimous in our view that this executive order is disturbing and disruptive to our students and employees. It does not represent the values of the University of Nebraska. And we join leaders of universities around the country in urging that it be promptly reconsidered.”
About 150 people, both students and faculty, come from the countries named in the ban across the four-institution university system.
Administrators at Nebraska and around the university system have been working to communicate with and to offer all who may be affected by the order guidance and support. This includes advising them to delay travel outside of the United States and to contact their individual universities’ international affairs office.
“Our diversity is what makes the University of Nebraska an outstanding institution of higher learning,” the statement said. “Universities like ours have a proud history of serving as talent magnets, where the best minds come to the table to solve the world’s biggest challenges. Today those challenges are great … these demand the world’s best thinking.
“Now, more than ever, we must be more inclusive, not less,” the statement continues. “And universities should lead the way.”
The leaders pledged that their institutions will remain “the kind of place where all feel welcome, valued and safe. Where each student has access to an excellent education and our faculty and staff are able to pursue their world-class work. That’s what our university stands for.”
Read the full statement, which is signed by Bounds, Green, University of Nebraska at Omaha Chancellor John Christensen, University of Nebraska Medical Center Chancellor Jeffrey Gold and University of Nebraska Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen.
