Dear Students and Colleagues, 

As you are aware, this week, we have seen several federal actions related to the enrollment of international students at institutions of higher education. The administration has paused all new student visa appointments pending the development of additional review procedures, and the State Department has shared that it will look to revoke visas of students from China, including Hong Kong. This comes less than a week after Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students was threatened.

The scope and duration of these actions are unknown at this time, and we are monitoring this situation closely. While Harvard has since won an injunction to protect its international students, these events are the latest examples of the volatile and uncertain environment that institutions of higher education are navigating.

Supporting our international community 

At Temple, we pride ourselves on being a community where all are welcome. Whether you were born five or 5,000 miles away, we welcome and support you.  

To our international students, faculty and staff members, please know that you are a vital part of the Temple family, and we cannot fulfill our mission without you. You are deeply valued, and Temple is stronger because of your contributions and the unique perspectives that you bring to the classroom, community and workplace. Our Office of Global Engagement has been working closely with our students and colleagues across the university to provide information and resources for international members of our community. 

The situation is fluid and will likely continue to evolve in the weeks to come. While we learn more, we are working to identify students who do not have their visas yet and are exploring potential solutions. This could include utilizing our Rome and Japan campuses as well as online courses. We will continue to closely monitor the situation, but rest assured, we are committed to supporting all members of our international community during this difficult time. 

I encourage all members of our community to use university resources to take care of themselves. For students, we have resources available through International Student and Scholar Services. For faculty and staff, please remember that our Employee Assistance Program is available 24/7, providing support and resources online or by phone at 1-888-267-8126. Everyone’s emotional and physical well-being is paramount, now and always. 

I also want to remind our community that while we have had no reports of federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers being on campus, we have an established protocol for working with ICE and CBP agents. Additionally, if there is an instance where any student, faculty or staff member has their visa revoked, we are committed to ensuring that they have access to legal counsel. Over the last few months, we have had five students who had their visas revoked only to have them later restored, and during that time, the university provided resources and ensured that they had appropriate access to their academic studies. 

Collaborating through complexity 

Over the last several months, we have worked diligently to maneuver through this evolving landscape. We will continue to be thoughtful and intentional in our approach, even as it becomes clear that the complexity of the current moment is likely to further intensify. The Temple community is comprised of individuals with great expertise who care deeply about this institution and its future success. I recognize that we can all benefit from convening a representative group that will help us chart a future path for Temple through these challenges. 

For that reason, in addition to the leadership working group that has been in place since last fall, I will appoint a broad-based advisory group that includes faculty and students and will help Temple navigate the complex environment that we find ourselves in. I will share more details about this advisory group early next month. In the meantime, I want to provide updates on some of the other areas being impacted by actions at the federal level. 

Research update 

We continue to see our research enterprise affected due to federal actions. Thus far, we have received 21 stop-work orders or termination notices for federal grants, which continue to come primarily from the Department of Health and Human Services.  

Our Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) has a mechanism in place for assisting those faculty who have been affected to request bridge funding. We also are supporting schools and colleges should they decide to appeal a termination or stop-work order.  

We encourage all members of the Temple research community to continue to take advantage of the Research Resources Webinar Series, which is offered throughout the year and designed to support and empower Temple researchers. An April session focused on understanding Facilities and Administrative costs, and it was attended by more than 80 members of the Temple community. 

The next session will be held Thursday, June 19, from 3 to 4 p.m., and will focus on public access policy. You can register here. OVPR also continues to update this website and established this universitywide Teams site as new federal guidance emerges. 

Proposed bill 

One of the other items that has been frequently discussed in the news is the potential passage of a wide-ranging federal bill that could have several implications for higher education. Among many other things, the bill could bring changes to the definition of a full-time course load for Pell Grant recipients, and it proposes an increased tax on university endowments. 

The bill has already been passed by the House, and should it be passed by the Senate, it would bring additional uncertainty to the university’s current financial picture, which is already challenged. We will continue to monitor this bill and be sure to keep the university community informed of any potential impacts to Temple. 

Thank you all for your continued resilience, partnership and commitment to our university during this uncertain time. 

Sincerely, 

John Fry 
President