Swarthmore College Faculty Resolution on Sanctuary Campus Status

Passed by unanimous vote on 9 December 2016

Whereas,
The recent presidential election has raised existential threats to our shared values, endangering
people of color, Muslims, LGBTQ+ members of our community, women, and immigrants,
among others. There is now widespread concern that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
(DACA) program could be reversed immediately following the inauguration on January 20,
2017. Considering the possible difficulties to come for our undocumented students, and in light
of Swarthmores Quaker heritage and commitment to diversity and inclusion, we have a
responsibility to protect all members of our college community, not only in corporeal terms, but
also intellectually, culturally, and economically.
And whereas:
Swarthmore College has a duty to respond to this threat to the well-being of an important
segment of the college community, and it faces an opportunity to join a growing number of peer
institutions who have publicly declared their intentions to support all students, regardless of
immigration status.
Therefore be it resolved:
The faculty endorse President Smiths and the Board of Managers declaration that Swarthmore
College is a sanctuary campus for all students, including our undocumented students. As students
of the College, they have a right not only to an education, but to full membership in the campus
community, with the same opportunities as their peers.
To this end we re-affirm the policies and values put forth in the December 2, 2016 declaration,
including the role of nonviolent action and peaceful protest against repressive government acts
and mandates.
We also resolve that the following steps be taken:
1. Provide alternative financial support to undocumented students on work study if the
College becomes legally obligated to stop paying these students a wage.
2. Provide emergency housing upon request for undocumented students during academic
breaks.
3. Provide incidental funding for travel, food, professional wardrobe, and/or family
emergencies.
4. Establish financial and/or procedural support for DACA renewals and Advance Parole.

5. Establish funds and/or procedures to provide legal support and education for
undocumented students, either by establishing a legal defense fund (possibly organized
through alumni support), by formalizing relationships with immigration lawyers
(including alumni), or by pooling legal resources with the Tri-College consortium or
other peer schools (see below). Outcomes might include an on-call lawyer, legal
seminars, and guidance on making the transition to postgraduate life.
6. Continue working to find alternatives to programs that typically require submission of
students personal data to state or federal databases (such as school placements in
Educational studies).
7. Document summer research opportunities for students without US citizenship, and work
with Career Services to provide advice on employers that sponsor their employees for
citizenship.
8. Train faculty, advisors, and deans in supporting undocumented students.
9. Provide training and support to allow the Off-Campus Study office to better meet the
needs of undocumented students.
10. Produce a web page summarizing the College's Sanctuary Campus policies and outlining
the informational and financial resources available for undocumented students.
11. Designate an individual at the College responsible for maintaining anonymity of
undocumented students whose tasks include filtering official college publications
(Bulletin, web site) to prevent release of sensitive information without students consent.
12. Seek coalitions with other sanctuary campuses, cities, and organizations for the purposes
of sharing information, pooling legal resources, and developing innovative responses that
align with the Colleges long Quaker history of protecting and supporting endangered
classes of people.
13. Open up dialogues with the leadership of the Boroughs of Swarthmore, Nether
Providence, Media, and other surrounding municipalities to explore how they can support
the Colleges sanctuary status (note: Philadelphia, PA is a sanctuary city).

This document is available at http://bit.ly/swatsanctuaryfac