Jesuit Universities Commit to Supporting Undocumented Students in Higher Education

As part of their commitment to social justice, Fairfield University and 24 other Jesuit universities in the United States have pledged to support undocumented students in higher education. On February 26, a group of Fairfield students and faculty met with senators, Congress members, and presidents from the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C. to discuss the plight of undocumented students.

According to a study conducted by the Center for Faith and Public Life, only 5-10% of the estimated 65,000 undocumented American students who graduate high school annually continue on to higher education. The study highlighted various obstacles faced by undocumented students, including limited opportunities, fear of deportation, culture shock, isolation from other students, and lack of financial aid.

Key Takeaways:

• 25 Jesuit university presidents, including Fairfield University's President Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., have signed a statement guaranteeing their support of undocumented students.
• 77% of Jesuit university staffers believe that the mission of the Jesuits includes helping undocumented students, and over 60% believe this assistance should be an institutional priority.
• Strategies to support undocumented students include modifying college admission forms, creating additional funds for undocumented students, and establishing formal networks for admission and ongoing support.
• Private universities like Fairfield are free to admit undocumented students and can create scholarship programs for them.
• The Catholic notion of the Common Good and the Jesuit value of being men and women for others emphasize the importance of supporting undocumented students.
• The study was based on interviews with 26 undocumented students and 110 university staffers from 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S.

Statistics:

• Only 5-10% of the estimated 65,000 undocumented American students who graduate high school annually continue on to higher education.
• Over 75% of Jesuit university staffers believe that the mission of the Jesuits includes helping undocumented students.
• More than 60% of the staffers believe this assistance should be an institutional priority.
• The study found that undocumented students feel like they do not have public support, but Fairfield University's pledge of support goes against this sentiment.
• The recommended actions include modifying college admission forms, creating more funds specifically for undocumented students, and having alumni assist the students with their post-graduation careers.

Sources:

• The Mirror, " Faculty stands in solidarity with undocumented students"
• Rev. Richard Ryscavage, S.J., email to The Mirror, "Our study tended to be a qualitative, not a quantitative, study of the situation of undocumented students."
• Center for Faith and Public Life's Web page, describing the study's focus on the legal and social contexts, attitudes, and current practices in Jesuit schools regarding undocumented students.
• The study itself, which is a collaborative effort between the Center for Faith and Public Life, Loyola University Chicago's Center for Urban Research and Learning, and Santa Clara University in California.