Dear Members of the TC Community,

I recently visited Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong, which included a return to my own academic roots: I gave a lecture at Tsinghua University on my research regarding the relationship between vocational education (education around job-specific skills), and what is commonly referred to as a broader “academic education” — a false dichotomy, in my perspective. I appreciated considering, once again, the important role of education in one’s ability to earn a living, but also in personal growth, and developing a sense of one’s self and the world, along with one’s role in the world.  

These things are top of mind always and especially of late, given current criticism about higher education. At TC, we share a collective belief that higher education is critical to the greater good. That notion was reinforced in conversations with so many Asia-based alumni, who were passionate about how pivotal TC has been in their lives. They are teachers, musicians and researchers, contributing to their communities on so many levels. They are in positions of leadership, have built excellent schools, and are continuing on bold paths in education, health, and psychology. They are making an impact and extending TC’s influence well beyond our campus. 

Students at Teachers College are particularly driven by a focus on impact, justice, opportunity, and access — and when they graduate, they continue to build on our historic legacy, multiplying our impact worldwide. That is what we are designed for. In the end, the trip was a great reminder, not only of the good work we do, but also of the great value of our international relationships and connections. 

Many of our students have travelled great distances, nationally and internationally, and all have made sacrifices to study with our faculty and build a path forward. Our international students in particular are feeling enormous anxiety in the face of unexpected visa and student status revocations, along with deportations that have occurred at many colleges and universities. I want us all to recognize this stress and help where we can. I know that Dr. Angela Jeon-Huh, Director of the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), was in touch with our international students last week with support options. For all students, I want to remind you of key resources we are providing:

• Our Student Support and Advocacy team is the go-to resource for all students navigating challenges, either personally or at TC. TC CARES is a portal for requesting student support or to refer a student to us that you are concerned about. This includes the need to access student emergency funds or to seek referrals for assistance. During this critical time, the team has also added drop-in hours — either in-person or virtual.
• International students with questions can also contact the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). This office is staying vigilant about any potential changes to immigration regulations and activities that may impact our students and scholars, and they are actively monitoring the Student and Exchange Visitors Information System (SEVIS) database for any terminated records. They will alert those impacted by SEVP termination and guide them through the next steps. They are also offering Virtual Advising sessions every Friday. Please also refer to the student portal for information should you encounter Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

As we end the week, I want to again thank our faculty, staff, and students, for continuing TC’s work, engaging with each other, and alerting us to any concerns. Our dedication to our values and our open communication is important as we navigate these challenges. 

I remain grateful for your vigilance, collaboration and dedication to our work.

Sincerely,

Thomas Bailey
President
Teachers College, Columbia University