April 15, 2025
Dear Faculty, Students, and Staff,
One hundred and sixty-two years ago this month, Boston College was founded by European Jesuits to educate the children of the largely immigrant Catholic population in Boston and neighboring communities. Through the generations, this University has been enriched by the contributions of our foreign-born students and employees who have come to Chestnut Hill to study and work. Boston College in 2025 is a far stronger institution for the presence of thousands of these members of the BC family.
This spring, however, has brought troubling news from around the country regarding recent policy changes that affect international students and employees.
The Office of Global Engagement and the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) are monitoring the evolving situation, and staff are communicating with leaders at peer institutions and responding to affected members of the BC community. Professionals in the OISS regularly monitor our students’ records in the Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database, and will promptly notify any BC student (or former student involved in Optional Practical Training) whose status is changed by the federal government. The Global Engagement Gateway provides important information and links to helpful resources, and will continue to be updated as the current situation evolves.
Catholic institutions are called to support and accompany the stranger. These challenging times require an ongoing commitment to a culture of care, welcome, and hospitality. That commitment has served us well for generations and remains a fundamental and defining aspect of our Jesuit, Catholic community.
Sincerely,
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