Chancellor Gary S. May issued the following letter today (April 28).

To the UC Davis Community:

In these unprecedented times of the COVID-19 pandemic, everyone in our campus community is dealing with a certain amount of stress and uncertainty.

Many in our community are experiencing another level of uncertainty as we await the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

I want to assure you that UC Davis remains committed to supporting our undocumented community, no matter the outcome of this decision.

Rescinding the DACA program runs counter to the University of California principles of open and equal access to higher education for students of all backgrounds.

I personally spoke on behalf of our undocumented community at a Capitol Hill news conference with members of Congress and academic leaders in October 2017. I also called on Congress to pass bipartisan legislation that would provide a pathway to citizenship for our students

UC Davis is home to a dedicated community of DACA/DACAmented students and staff from across the globe. UC Davis graduates who were protected from deportation under DACA have blossomed with careers in medicine, law, social work and much more.

These students — many of whom are the first in their families to attend college — contribute to our rich diversity of cultures and perspectives that is integral to our success as a global university. They are paving a future for themselves and their families so they can give back to our society.

We have campus resources to help guide DACA/DACAmented and undocumented students through their financial, legal and even emotional challenges.

Our AB 540 and Undocumented Student Center is a model of empowerment, opportunity and equity. During this critical time, the center provides a sense of community and solidarity. Students can find assistance with renewing DACA status, as well as a variety of resources to assist with housing, finances and other needs.

Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS) provides a wide variety of medical, mental health and wellness services to all registered UC Davis students regardless of immigration status or insurance coverage.

We will provide more information after the Supreme Court issues its decision on DACA. In the meantime, I ask that everyone be mindful of the uncertainty facing our undocumented and DACA/DACAmented students. Be kind to one another and share these resources with those in need. Let’s continue to build and nurture the outstanding Aggie community each of us knows and deserves.

Sincerely,

Gary S. May
Chancellor