Dear International Student Advisory Board Members,
 
Thank you for your recent letter. Please know that the University of Iowa stands in solidarity with our international students and with our international community. You have firm allies and advocates in UI senior leadership. 
 
We are indeed pleased by yesterday’s announcement that the Trump administration has withdrawn the guidelines that threatened the ability of international students in the U.S. on F-1 visas to take classes via remote instruction. Here is the message we shared on the International Student and Scholar Services website yesterday.  
 
There remain some questions, however, and we will continue to monitor developments. For the moment, we affirm that continuing students will be allowed to study fully online both inside and outside the United States without jeopardizing their F-1 immigration status. This also means that no one will be required to leave the U.S. after Thanksgiving or at any time during the semester if classes move to being completely online.
 
The UI will continue its advocacy as future challenges present themselves. We are proud of you and the way you have shown resilience in the face of repeated attacks on your status and on your freedom to pursue your life goals. The amount of stress must seem overwhelming at times, but the University of Iowa celebrates your presence and your accomplishments. There is much more work to do, and we look forward to partnering with you to address the challenges ahead. 
 
Please know that the UI will live up to its mission to create an open and inclusive environment for everyone in the campus community. 
 
In solidarity,
 
Bruce Harreld, President
 
Montserrat Fuentes, Executive Vice President and Provost
 
Tanya Uden-Holman, Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of the University College
 
Russ Ganim, Associate Provost and Dean, International Programs
 
Joe Yockey, President, Faculty Senate
 
Teresa Marshall, Vice President, Faculty Senate
 
Ana Rodriguéz Rodriguéz, Secretary, Faculty Senate