February 17 Letter to Tulane Community Regarding Resources

Dear members of the Tulane community,

On Thursday, February 2, the Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (OGPS) and the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) co-hosted a gathering for those most affected by the recent executive order regarding restrictions on the admission of individuals from seven countries to the U.S.  In addition, we wanted to extend our support to those in our community who are Muslim, from Muslim-majority countries, and/or who may be perceived to be Muslim, as well as DACA and undocumented individuals.

Below is a list of university offices who were present at this event and notes about the kinds of resources and support they offer.

The Office of Academic Affairs – Academic Affairs is led by the Provost, Robin Forman (rforman@tulane.edu), who is Chief Academic Officer of the University. Reporting directly to the President of the University, the Provost is also a member of the President’s Cabinet, joining with all the members of the senior leadership team in pursuit of broad-based institutional objectives and goals.  Those with concerns that apply to the academic community as a whole may contact the Provost, and he will continue to communicate the institution’s positions and actions about this executive order and related matters.

The Office of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (ogps@tulane.edu) - OGPS is part of the Office of Academic Affairs and advances graduate education and enhances postdoctoral training through program oversight, policy development, and implementation of focused activities. Individuals from all programs and disciplines can contact this office with concerns that may pertain to their status or concerns as graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

The Office of International Students and Scholars (oiss@tulane.edu) - OISS provides leadership in the internationalization of the university by supporting the Tulane international community, serving as international educators, and facilitating cross-cultural interaction.  It also offers quality programs and services and ensures Tulane’s compliance with federal immigration regulations.  Any international students, faculty, or staff may contact this office with concerns about visa status, travel concerns, work permission, and related matters.  OISS also communicates to the university community with updates regarding the executive order on their blog -- http://tulaneexecutiveorder.blogspot.com/.

Counseling and Psychological Services (caps@tulane.edu) – CAPS provides a safe, inclusive and affirming community of care for all students. CAPS’s interdisciplinary team fosters personal, emotional and academic well-being by offering comprehensive therapeutic services, outreach and prevention programs, and consultative relationships throughout Tulane.  Students who are seeking support for what they are experiencing can schedule an appointment or utilize any one of a number of phone-based resources for urgent situations or crises.  Please also see the attached document.

The “O” (Office of Multicultural Affairs, Office of Sexual Diversity, and the Office of Religious Life) (oma@tulane.edu) – The “O” serves as the hub of diverse cultural, social, and intellectual life at Tulane University and it fosters an open and vibrant learning environment that welcomes, respects, and appreciates the histories, traditions, and cultures of traditionally underrepresented student populations.  The “O” also address issues of bias, discrimination, and harassment—all of which negatively affect the health and well-being of students and learning communities.  Individuals who are seeking a supportive community that may share or better understand the current situation and the challenges it poses may find it here.

The Office of Student Resources Support Services (srss@tulane.edu) – SRSS gives students in need of support a single place to go for assistance. SRSS uses an individualized approach to help students connect to the resources that they may need on campus and in the New Orleans community, and it includes the Office of Case Management & Victim Support Services.  Individuals with complicated situations that may need help navigating resources and addressing multiple needs may find SRSS to be helpful.

The Office of Institutional Equity (oie@tulane.edu) – OIE is responsible for issues pertaining to Affirmative Action; Americans with Disabilities Act Coordination; Community Outreach; Complaints and Grievances; Diversity and Inclusive Excellence; Educational Opportunities, Building Conversations, and Skills Building; and Title IX coordination.  Individuals with questions or concerns in any of these areas may contact OIE.