Statement of Interim Chancellor Devinder Malhotra regarding DACA

Posted: September 5, 2017

Contact: Doug Anderson, doug.anderson@MinnState.edu, 651-201-1426

ST. PAUL, Minn., Sept. 5, 2017 – At Minnesota State, our core commitments include opening the doors of educational opportunity and ensuring access to an extraordinary education for all Minnesotans. The diversity of our campus communities is a key strength – one that makes us who we are and allows our state colleges and universities to play the critical role they do.

As our nationwide dialog concerning Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals  (DACA) continues to unfold, we will continue to express our steadfast support for this policy and strongly urge our federal delegation to preserve its protections. Terminating or phasing out DACA would leave thousands of young people across the country, including perhaps some of our students, with uncertain futures. We are committed to working with our students, our faculty, our staff, and our representatives in Washington toward a long-term solution that supports DACA students and allows them to continue to contribute to our vibrant communities throughout Minnesota and to our economy. Our campuses will remain safe and welcoming places of inclusion, hope, and opportunity for all of our students, faculty, and staff.

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Minnesota State, formerly known as Minnesota State Colleges and Universities, includes 30 community and technical colleges and seven state universities serving approximately 375,000 students. It is the fifth-largest higher education system in the United States.