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International Students Offered Free Housing

© Ithaca College
© Ithaca College
Ithaca College in New York is offering free housing over the summer break to its international students who could be affected by President Trump’s travel ban.

President Trump's executive order suspends travel to the United States from Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen for 90 days and halts the U.S refugee program for 120 days. Federal judges in Maryland and Hawaii have challenged the legality of the ban while it remains on hold across the nation according to CNN. A judge in Virginia will consider the order on May 8.

Although visa-holders who are authorized to travel to the U.S. are technically not affected, many are cautious about leaving for fear of not getting back in.

“Although the EO purportedly will not automatically invalidate current unexpired visas, individuals from the six countries should be advised to refrain from exiting the U.S. when possible” said immigration law expert Peter Asaad, Partner at Quarles and Brady LLP in Washington.

The liberal arts school has 121 students from 51 countries, including a Syrian and an Iranian, according to The Ithacan.



Although the Student Governance Council passed the bill to allow free housing during the summer for international students from those from countries on the travel ban list, students from other countries who don’t feel safe traveling can also apply for the housing, said Diana Dimitrova, director of International Student Services, to the The Ithacan.

Students taking up the offer will be housed in the same accommodations used for summer students, so there should be no significant cost added, according to The Ithacan.

“We thought that it was important to give the students who didn’t necessarily have the opportunity to go home ... [the opportunity] to be able to stay,” said Isabella Grullon, international senator for SGC, to The Ithacan.

“We value diversity because it enriches our community and the myriad experiences that characterize an Ithaca College education,” Ithaca College says about the importance of diversity on their website.

Other schools have pushed back on the Trump travel ban. Thirty-one universities filed an amicus brief with the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals over their concern about banning international students from American colleges and universities.

“By prohibiting entry by persons from the six affected countries, the Executive Order divides current students and their families, impairs the ability of American universities to draw the finest international talent, and inhibits the free exchange of ideas,” the brief said.

Schools in the Toronto District, Canada, are suspending trips to the United States over concerns that Canadian citizens who were not born in the country may have difficulty crossing the border.

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Ohio Public Colleges Told to End Race-based Scholarships

FILE - Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost speaks during an election night watch party Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio.
FILE - Republican Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost speaks during an election night watch party Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022, in Columbus, Ohio.

Ohio’s attorney general has ordered public colleges and universities to end merit scholarships that incorporate race-based criteria, saying they are unconstitutional.

The attorney general advised education officials that compliance with a 2023 Supreme Court decision on race-based admissions extends to scholarships, according to the Columbus Dispatch. (March 2024)

Greek Parliament Approves Branches of Foreign Universities   

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is applauded by members of his government during ahead of a vote on a bill which allows foreign private universities to set up branches in Greece, at the Greek parliament in Athens, March 8, 2024.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is applauded by members of his government during ahead of a vote on a bill which allows foreign private universities to set up branches in Greece, at the Greek parliament in Athens, March 8, 2024.

The Greek parliament voted to allow foreign universities to establish and operate branch campuses in the country.

According to U.S. News & World Report, the move was made to encourage Greek students to stay in the country for advanced studies, instead of going abroad for an education. (March 2024)

Virginia Bans Legacy Admissions

FILE - In this April 28, 2016, photo, students walk by the James Branch Cabell Library on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.
FILE - In this April 28, 2016, photo, students walk by the James Branch Cabell Library on the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Va.

The state of Virginia has banned legacy admissions to public colleges and universities.

The New York Times reports the state has outlawed the practice of giving preferential admissions status to students based on connections to alumni and donors. (March 2024)

New Texas Law Prohibits Public Colleges, Universities From Having DEI Offices

New Texas Law Prohibits Public Colleges, Universities From Having DEI Offices
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A new Texas law prohibits public universities from having special programs supporting minority and LGBTQ students. Critics say these diversity, equity and inclusion programs are discriminatory and divisive. But many students say they are needed. Deana Mitchell has the story from the Texas capital.

Here’s What It Feels Like to Find Home Between Two Cultures

FILE - The University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, Va.
FILE - The University of Virginia, in Charlottesville, Va.

Cynthia Jia, a student at the University of Virginia, writes about how Chinese literature helped reconcile her to being part of two cultures. Read her story in The Cavalier Daily. (February 2024)

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