NCA Inside & Out

NCA has joined other scholarly societies in signing onto a letter asking Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to “reinstate the temporary visa exemptions for international students and faculty members while we are in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, including at least the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters.” The letter notes the value international students bring to U.S. higher education, and concludes by asking ICE to restore “access to our colleges and universities for the estimated one million international students who would be affected by this change in policy.”

In June, NCA signed onto a letter from the American Sociological Association in support of additional federal support for students and higher education institutions. The letter reads in part, “The $14 billion allocated to higher education in the CARES Act was a useful first step in helping higher education weather the crisis. However, it is not enough. Without additional federal support for students and institutions, the seriousness of the crisis will necessitate additional layoffs of staff and faculty; elimination of programs and services for students; and significant tuition increases for students and families.” 

Also, in June, NCA signed onto a statement from the National Coalition Against Censorship calling on public officials to support the First Amendment rights of journalists and protesters who have come under attack during the protest over George Floyd's death. The statement reads in part: “A free press is essential at a moment like this. Americans need to see what is happening in their streets. They want to know why people are protesting. Journalists must be free to report so the rest of us can feel the pain and anger of people who are tired of injustice. We strongly urge public officials to do everything in their power to protect journalists and demonstrators, including punishing police officers who have willfully violated First Amendment rights.”