Daniel López Jr. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Katherine Greenslade

1. Daniel López Jr. Associate Vice President for Student Affairs Katherine Greenslade Project Coordinator Student Affairs Maria E. Luna-Duarte Interim Director, El Centro Campus

2. Presentation Overview • Undocumented Student Definition and Statistics • Challenges and Barriers • Federal and State Laws • NEIU History and Current Developments • Innovation Grant Idea • Resource Guide • Ally Training • Other Initiatives • Assessment

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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.

6. Federal and State Laws • Federal Laws • DACA • VAWA • UVISA • State Laws • HB60 – (2002)- Guarantees State Tuition • Illinois Dream Act

7. NEIU’s History of Serving Undocumented Students • NEIU Long History • Recent 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

8. 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)

9. 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.

10. 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

11. The ALLY Program Cultivating an open and supportive campus environment for undocumented students and Their Families

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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

15. 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: • You may experience negativity or discrimination from others who do not understand or agree with your support of undocumented students • You may have others who question your motivation and wonder what is in it for you • 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 • Undocumented students may not trust you or may question your motivation

16. 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.

17. Strategies for being and Effective Undocumented Student Ally • 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

18. Ally Expectations • Serve as an advocate for students • First respondents to undocumented students concerns and make referrals when appropriate • Are the main contact person in the department • Identify institutional barriers that negative affect students • Nominate 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

19. 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!

20. Assessment of Outcomes • 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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.

24. Comments & Questions