Ohio State University Executive Vice President and Provost Bruce A. McPheron and Dr. Hal Paz, executive vice president and chancellor for health affairs at Ohio State and CEO of the Ohio State Wexner Medical Center, voiced their opposition to new federal rules impacting international students. McPheron and Paz delivered the following joint message on July 9:
The Ohio State University disagrees with the federal guidance issued this week by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement about the autumn 2020 semester. We are committed to our international students and will work to develop a solution that ensures that students who attend our campuses can successfully complete their academic work this autumn.
Ohio State will offer in-person, online and blended courses to provide all students with a variety of options that also support the university’s plan for health and safety.
The latest ICE guidance will limit international students’ flexibility. These changes have the potential to create barriers to education for international students in every discipline. During a global pandemic, we support the expansion of educational opportunities to allow international students to pursue their studies in the United States, including fully online learning.