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Dear Mizzou International Students, Scholars and Mizzou Community,
Earlier this week, the Department of Homeland Security Student and Exchange Visitor Program released new guidance regarding international students with F-1 visas. The guidance specified that international students enrolled in universities that are planning online-only instruction during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic will not be allowed to remain in the U.S. while completing their studies.
First, we want to assure everyone that based on our current plans for the upcoming academic year, this rule does not apply to students enrolled at Mizzou. We will be offering in-person and blended classes during the upcoming semester, so international Mizzou students are not required to leave the country.
The DHS guidance was released without taking into account input the agency received from higher education leaders, and we recognize that this guidance has caused a great deal of anxiety and concern for our entire community. We cannot stress enough that at Mizzou, we will always do everything in our power to ensure our international students are supported as vital members of our Tiger family, and that they receive the high-quality education they have come to expect. We have provided a resource page for international students regarding travel, enrollment, housing and other concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic, and our Counseling Center also provides resources for those looking for help coping with the additional stress of the pandemic, discrimination and other impacts of current events.
Our staff at Mizzou’s International Center continue to work very closely with our international students and scholars to ensure they have the appropriate resources to live, work and learn here. Additionally, we support the statements made from the Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities (APLU) and the Association of American Universities (AAU). Mizzou’s educational mission of training our students for a global society would not be effective without the inclusion of international students and the diversity they bring to our campus. We recognize the essential contributions our international students and scholars provide to our entire community and will work diligently to ensure they remain valued members of our campus and community.
Sincerely,
Mun Y. Choi, Ph.D.
President, UM System and Interim Chancellor, University of Missouri
Latha Ramchand, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, University of Missouri