Rutgers AAUP-AFT President David M. Hughes, said, “High school seniors in New Jersey are now applying for admission to Rutgers. For the past three years, undocumented students qualifying under DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) have availed themselves of in-state tuition, arrived at Rutgers, taken our classes, and otherwise enriched Rutgers as a diverse learning community. By enrolling in this way, these individuals have come out of the shadows, identifying themselves as undocumented. Now, many fear deportation and would go back into those shadows of anonymity if they could. Undocumented, college-bound women and men may simply forego the risk of applying to Rutgers. The declaration of sanctuary would dispel much of that fear and re-establish Rutgers as a campus open to prospective DACA students.”
Rutgers AAUP-AFT Vice President Deepa Kumar said, “We need ‘sanctuary’ in order to keep Rutgers as we love it and as it currently is: a place open to all who wish to challenge themselves amid new ideas in community with students of color, Muslims, Jews, LGBTQ students, women, and men. After 250 years, ‘sanctuary’ is who we are.”
The faculty union is joining students rallying Tuesday outside the Board of Governor meeting at Winant’s Hall at 1:30 PM in support of the sanctuary designation. To support the effort, sign the petition Make Rutgers a Sanctuary University
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The Rutgers AAUP-AFT full-time and part-time faculty unions represent 7,000 teachers in Camden, Newark, and New Brunswick. Our organizations fight consistently for college affordability and quality education. Learn more at www.rutgersaaup.org .