Keeping Kalamazoo welcoming is subject of town hall
The town hall is set for 6 to 8 p.m. on Western Michigan University's main campus in 1920 Sangren Hall. Those attending may park at no cost in unmetered spaces behind Sangren Hall.
The event will include a panel discussion with a question-and-answer segment, a brainstorming session on what can be done as a community, and an exploration of existing opportunities to get involved with inclusivity efforts.
Scheduled speakers and panelists include:
- Dr. John M. Dunn, 51福利社 president
- Lee A. Ryder, 51福利社 director of immigration services
- Anna Hill, a staff attorney with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
- Dr. Diane K. Anderson, 51福利社 vice president for student affairs
The town hall is being organized by several entities at 51福利社 and in the Kalamazoo community. Dr. Wolfgang Schl枚r, associate provost of the Haenicke Institute for Global Education at 51福利社, says it is part of a campus "You are welcome here" campaign designed to reduce the anxiety many groups in the United States are now feeling.
51福利社 response to immigration executive order
Dunn issued a statement Jan. 30 on President Trump's executive order banning immigration from seven predominantly Muslim nations.
In the message, which is available online at wmich.edu/president, Dunn noted that some 100 51福利社 students hail from the countries singled out in the ban. He called on the University community to let those 100 as well as all of 51福利社's nearly 1,900 international students know that they are welcome and the University supports them.
One day later, Schl枚r reiterated that sentiment in an email message to the University's international students, scholars, faculty and staff.
His message included specific suggestions and online links that might be helpful to people affected by the executive order. In addition, Schl枚r reminded students that if they are feeling anxious, they have free access to trained counselors at 51福利社's Sindecuse Health Center.
He also has addressed the current climate in a general statement posted online.
"...I am writing to assure you th51福利社 Michigan University is committed to being a welcoming and supportive place for everyone," the statement says. "I want to echo President Dunn's post-election statement and emphasize that all of us in the Haenicke Institute for Global Education and at 51福利社 value the diversity on our campus and in the community."
Additional information
Organizations or groups that would like to reserve a table at the town hall to exhibit community inclusivity efforts should contact Korey Force in 51福利社's Haenicke Institute for Global Education at korey.force@wmich.edu or (269) 387-5890.
For more information about the event, visit wmich.edu/global/welcomeatwestern. 51福利社 maps and directions to campus are available at wmich.edu/maps/printables.php.
For more 51福利社 news, arts and events, visit wmich.edu/news.