Daniel López Jr. Associate Vice President

for Student Affairs

Katherine GreensladeProject Coordinator

Student Affairs

Maria E. Luna-DuarteInterim Director, El Centro Campus

Presentation Overview

Undocumented Student Definition and Statistics

Challenges and BarriersFederal and State LawsNEIU History and Current

DevelopmentsInnovation Grant Idea

Resource Guide Ally Training Other Initiatives Assessment

Who are Undocumented Students?

U.S. Definition A student who entered the U.S. 1) without

inspection or with fraudulent documents, or 2) entered legally as a nonimmigrant, but then violated the terms of his or her status and remained it the U.S. without authorization

Source: National Immigration Law Center

Who are Undocumented Students?

There are 1.8 million undocumented youth under 18 who live in the U.S.

It is estimated that 65,000 graduate from high school each year and more than 7% of undocumented high school graduates enroll in a college or university

250 students at NEIU (self Reported-Spring 2013)

Source: College Board Advocacy, 2012

Who are Undocumented Students?

Challenges and Barriers Not eligible for state or federal financial aid assistance. Work full time to pay for their education and to assist

with family obligations. Have a difficult time utilizing academic support

services and participating in co-curricular programs. Live in fear of deportation for themselves and their

families.

Federal and State Laws

Federal Laws DACA VAWA UVISA

State Laws HB60 – (2002)- Guarantees State Tuition Illinois Dream Act

NEIU’s History of Serving Undocumented Students

NEIU Long HistoryRecent Developments at NEIU

NEIU’s Talent, Merit Based & Foundations Scholarships

Deferred Action Information sessions & screenings NEIU’s revised admission online application NEIU’s website for undocumented students Undocumented, Resilient and Organized (URO) student group

The Undocumented Students Project

NEIU Innovation Grant Idea Committee Project Goals

Develop a Resource Guide for faculty and staff Create a “Safe Zone” training program for faculty and

staff Cultivate an open and supportive campus through a

campus-wide campaign Increase campus and community awareness of NEIU’s

open and supportive practices towards undocumented families

Awarded $40,000 (max. amount)

Project Implementation

Committee – Composition, Charge, and Meeting Schedule

Communication Campaign OPEN DOOR LOGO - depicts an open door with the words:

“You are always welcome here.” “All students are welcome here.” “Undocumented students are always welcome here.” The logo appears on: Resource Guide and other publications, Ally

training binders, window stickies and display stickers, lapel pins, and Orientation Leader buttons

Symbolizes the campus-wide initiative to create a safe, open environment for undocumented students to pursue their education and work towards the American dream.

The Resource Guide

It offers detailed guidance about resources, policies and practice concerning undocumented students for each college, department or office

Available to all faculty and staff Limited color printer copies and pdf version It was created with campus wide collaboration including

faculty, VP’s, Deans, and other key student services areas Provides contact information for the Allies in each

department or office It is also available on-line at our new website!

www.neiu.edu/undocumentedstudents

CULTIVATING AN OPEN AND SUPPORTIVE CAMPUS ENVIRONMENT FOR

UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS AND THEIR FAMILIES

The ALLY Program

What is Ally Training?

A full day session during which faculty and staff gain information and resources to better assist our undocumented population Sessions include:

Becoming an Ally Student Perspectives Admissions and Financial Resources Federal and State Laws Community Resources

A way of developing a network of people across all of our campuses who are supportive and able to address undocumented students questions and concerns

Goals of the Ally Training Program

Improve awareness of the issues and concerns of Northeastern’s undocumented students and their families

Gain knowledge of Northeastern policies and practices that affect undocumented students

Increase understanding of immigration laws that impact undocumented students and their families

Cultivate an open and supportive campus environment for undocumented students

Increase community awareness of Northeastern’s open, supportive policies and practices towards undocumented students and their families.

What is an Undocumented Student Ally?

Supports and advocates for the success of undocumented students.

Is informed of institutional policies and support services to assist undocumented students.

Is kind, compassionate, non-judgmental and a good listener

Guides and facilitates the undocumented students' academic growth and development while at NEIU

Creates a safe space for dialog about the students' concerns and questions while helping to find possible solutions and paths to clarity

Acts as an academic advocate for them

Does not “out” a student to others without that student’s permission

Does not question a student about his or her immigration status or the status of family members

Does not encourage students to take actions that may cause problems for them should they have the opportunity to adjust their immigration status in the future

Does not give immigration advice but instead refers students to appropriate legal resources or community advocacy groups

Does not use of offensive, intolerant language

Follows up on referrals to assess the effectiveness of the recommended resources

Is committed to confidentiality, respect and privacy when working with undocumented students

Understands his or her own motivation for being an Undocumented Student Ally

Provides feedback and an honest assessment of the program so that it can continue to be improved

Becoming an Ally: Benefits and Challenges

Some of the benefits of being an Ally include:

Learning true and accurate information about the circumstances and experiences that undocumented students and their families may encounter every day

Becoming knowledgeable about Northeastern’s policies and practices that affect undocumented students

Making a difference in the lives of students at Northeastern by being supportive of their community

Taking a more active role in creating a safe space and welcoming environment for students at Northeastern

Becoming a role model for other faculty, staff and students

• Some of the challenges of being an Ally include:

o You may experience negativity or discrimination from others who do not understand or agree with your support of undocumented students

o You may have others who question your motivation and wonder what is in it for you

o Your morality and your politics may be questioned by others who do not believe undocumented people should be able to remain in the United States, regardless of their circumstances

o Undocumented students may not trust you or may question your motivation

The Importance of Ally Confidentiality

By choosing to become an Undocumented Student Ally, participants agree to create a safe and welcoming environment for undocumented students at Northeastern Illinois University.

When a student reveals his or her status to an Ally , it is important that Ally maintains confidentiality, unless the student has agreed that to share the information with someone else. This is of particular importance for those students who have

not openly revealed themselves as undocumented.

There are, however, limits to confidentiality. Keeping a student safe is more important than maintaining confidentiality.

As an undocumented student ally it is important that Ally take initiative Continue to educate themselves on the issues faced not only by undocumented

students but by USC students who come from mixed families

Believe that prejudice and discrimination of immigrants is everyone’s concern

Believe that undocumented students raised in the United States want to stay and realize the “American dream.”

Create opportunities to reduce hate and to make NEIU a welcoming and safe environment

Be flexible when possible regarding course and program requirements

Get to know specific students so you can write effective letters of recommendation that will help them with: Scholarships Other financial resources Graduate Programs

Strategies for being and Effective Undocumented Student Ally

Ally Expectations

Serve as an advocate for studentsFirst respondents to undocumented students

concerns and make referrals when appropriateAre the main contact person in the departmentIdentify institutional barriers that negative affect

studentsNominate and encourage others to participate in

the training

The Participants who complete the training are given: Undocumented Student Ally display sticker A Certificate of Completion An Undocumented Student Ally lapel Pin

Other Initiatives

Partnered with legal assistance non for profit organizations to offer monthly free DACA screenings to students

We will ne hosting Community Outreach events with high school and community college counselors and administrators

FAQ Information Sheets It was distributed to all incoming students who participated in

Orientation over the summer It will be available on our website It’s in the back of the Resource Guide It’s currently available in English, Spanish and Polish. Other

languages coming soon!

Since the programs inception we have conducted several Ally Training Programs and over 100 faculty and staff members from the entire campus have completed the program.

Assessment is on-going. The results have demonstrated that there is an increase in

knowledge and awareness of undocumented student issues and policies affecting them.

We will be conducting additional assessment throughout the year to determine how the program has improved relationships between faculty and staff and undocumented students.

The Undocumented Student Project committee has been created to continue working on addressing issues affecting the undocumented student population at Northeastern.

Ultimate Goal: To institutionalize the project

Assessment of Outcomes

Project Impact

So far we have: Conducted training for faculty and staff to become

Undocumented Student Allies Encouraged faculty and staff Allies to display the open door

logo stickers, lapel pins and buttons around the university Developed a comprehensive resource guide for faculty and

staff Provided up-to-date information and materials available to

students, families and community members via the project website: www.neiu.edu/undocumentedstudents

Collaborated with community legal aid partners to provide free DACA eligibility screening and assessment

Project Impact

Investigated and reviewing NEIU’s policies and practices that negatively impact undocumented students and developing recommendations to modify or improve upon NEIU’s policies and practices. Here are some examples:

The HB 60 Affidavit Tuition reimbursement The Alien Information Collection Form Scholarship availability Developing a need-based financial aid form that’s not based

on FAFSA

The Undocumented Students Project

Northeastern’s undocumented initiatives demonstrate not only a university-wide decision to

take a stand in support of the university’s undocumented population but also an institutional

commitment to social justice. This initiative to promote change and update polices will provide an equitable learning experience for all Northeastern

students.

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