Undocumented Student Support Services

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Welcome to the

Undocumented Student Support Services Webpage

Western Connecticut State University is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, including undocumented students.  In these uncertain times, undocumented students, who often face barriers and challenges as they navigate campus policies, require support services that address their unique needs.  As such, the University’s Office of Diversity and Equity as well as the Office of Intercultural Affairs have partnered with other WCSU departments and allies to increase institutional support for undocumented students. Ultimately, Western strives to provide resources and guidance to support the advancement of undocumented students during their academic time at Western. This website is supported in part by the University’s Office of Diversity and Equity.

“We are extremely proud of our students —they are doing everything we expect them to do as engaged young people pursuing their dreams of higher education. The fundamental responsibility of a public education institution is to foster learning, innovation, and strong communities to any student willing to put in the work to learn and achieve. We have and will continue to fight for DACA students in our CSCU community. We stand with Connecticut’s DACA students and those across this country and urge Congress to finally take action to protect these young Americans.”      

– President Mark Ojakian, CSCU

 

CURRENT/UP-TO-DATE 2019 ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • UPDATE May 30, 2019: Connecticut Students 4 A Dream (“C4D”) have scheduled a Youth Power Summit as an all-day conference led by and for youth with the goal to educate young people about the power of their voices. We believe young people have the power to create change in their communities.  The Youth Power Summit is scheduled for Saturday, June 1, 2019, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Danbury High School, 43 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, Connecticut.
    REGISTER HERE 👉 bit.ly/YPS19
    Transportation, Translation (for Spanish) Food, & Fun will all be provided! 

 

  • UPDATE March 5, 2019: Connecticut Students 4 A Dream (“C4D”) are asking members of the university community for assistance with submitted testimony and advocacy on the following bills:
    • SB992: An Act Concerning the TRUST: Would will limit communication between local police and federal immigration agencies. Would update Connecticut’s TRUST Act to further protect Connecticut residents from the rogue actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
    • SB948: The 364 Day Misdemeanor Sentencing Reform Bill: would reduce the maximum length of all misdemeanor convictions in Connecticut to from 365 days to 364 days in order to limit harmful immigration consequences for Connecticut’s immigrants.

If you’re interested in supporting these two bills, please find two testimony templates that you can personalize and submit via email.  To submit testimony via email, please send to    JUDtestimony@cga.ct.gov in PDF format, with subject line: “Bill# YOUR NAME”.  Click on the Template Testimony for TRUST Act, and the Template Testimony for 364 Misdemeanor Bill to create a personalized testimony.

  • UPDATE January 9, 2019: The WCSU UndocuAlly Taskforce and The Office of Diversity & Equity are hosting the first ever UndocuPeer Training on Monday, January 14, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Midtown Student Center, Room 201 (Student Center, 2nd Floor).  Please join us and spread the word to other staff and faculty who may be interested.What is the UndocuPeer Training?The UndocuPeers: Liberating Campus Climate training is an interactive certification program for staff and faculty that increases the educational success of undocumented immigrant students by empowering and training educators. Developed by undocumented students, UndocuPeers provides the necessary tools to begin or continue conversations on how to better support and work alongside undocumented students.This program is centered on professional development and provides a space to streamline departmental resources across educational institutions. UndocuPeers is a research-tested training with its effectiveness determined by surveys taken by participants.  Upon your attendance, you’ll learn the following: (1) Learn how to interact and be conscious of undocumented immigrant students in the workplace, classroom, etc.; (2) Learn how you can support undocumented and immigrant students in your classrooms and offices; and (3) Earn a completion certificate and receive additional diversity training.  We recommend attendance for staff that works directly with students on campus, faculty and professors, and administratorsTo register, please click the link: bit.ly/UndocuPeerWCSU ** Space is limited **

Please note that The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. This means that information you provide to us to process is private and protected under the law.