Regardless of the reader’s personal political viewpoints or voting choices in a recent election there are harsh realities for local communities regarding national immigration policies.
That’s particularly so for the scores of undocumented migrants brought to this country as children, who in many cases, are not aware until High School or university admission that they are even in the U.S. without a valid immigration status. Since 2001, however, those students who meet certain eligibility requirements have been able to enroll in public colleges and universities while paying in-state tuition. In 2011, the California Dream Act (a play on the acronym for the Federal Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act) was enacted permitting eligible undocumented students to benefit from state financial aid.
Since then, DREAM Centers have been established on CSU and UC campuses to give those students special support. In fact, the CSU system, of which Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is a part, has lagged behind their UC counterparts despite having more undocumented students.
In November Cal Poly Vice President for Student Affairs, Keith B. Humphrey, sent the following note to the Cal Poly community:
“I am pleased to announce that Cal Poly Student Affairs will be opening our campus’ first DREAM Center for students in early 2017. The DREAM Center will be located in the Hillcrest Building (Building 81) and will create a safe and welcome space where undocumented students and their supporters can gather in community to receive support from staff, access resources, and draw on the strength of their peers.
Staff from our Educational Opportunity Program and Cal Poly Scholars are part of the network of support for our undocumented students and will remain in Hillcrest.
I look forward to opening day of our DREAM Center as a visible manifestation of Cal Poly’s commitment to being a welcoming campus for students of all identities. In community, Keith B. Humphrey Vice President for Student Affairs
Pronouns (he, his, him)”
The announcement left a few questions about the center unanswered for anyone who hadn’t been part of the push to build one however. So, last week the SLO City News managed to get ahold of Humphrey for a quick email Q&A while he was between flights.
To start with we asked him to address anyone who has trouble understanding the role of the university in supporting undocumented students:
“To Cal Poly a student is a student is a student. Immigration status is not part of an admission decision. Cal Poly complies with all state related regulations regarding immigration,” he wrote. “We support these 176 students, and all of our students, because we know that the value of a college degree, and particularly the value of a Cal Poly degree, provide economic and social benefits to the student, their family, and the state. A college degree is a predictor of economic stability for the student and their family, and tax paying individuals to the state of California.”
SLOCN: How exactly the idea of dedicating space on campus came up, and for how long has it been in the works?
Humphrey: Cal Poly has been exploring the possibility of a DREAM Center for undocumented students and their supporters for almost a year. Student Affairs leaders have been studying the space inventory and working collaboratively to move programs around to make space for the Center.
SLOCN: Is the announcement in reaction to the post-election political climate, social changes etc?
Humphrey: Our announcement was timed to coincide with National Educator Coming Out Day celebrations at Cal Poly, where educators come out in support of undocumented students.
SLOCN: Will there be dedicated staff resources or is more like the rooms provided in the UU to groups like safer etc?
Humphrey: We already have a half-time undocumented student coordinator, and that person will continue and have an office in the DREAM Center. This is similar to all of our cultural centers that have staff to support the student programs – we have grown from 1 cross cultural center staff person to 6 in the past three years.
SLOCN: What specific services can the university offer to undocumented students?
Humphrey: We will offer many services that will help undocumented students earn their degree. This will include financial aid support, counseling, academic support, and gathering in community. All of these aspects come together to help retain and graduate students.
SLOCN: How many undocumented students are there on campus?
Humphrey: Our most recent count is 176 undocumented students. The only way we know is if students come forward and identify as undocumented students, making them eligible for California-based financial aid.
SLOCN: How much of the current space inside building 81 would be converted; I understand student services has been housed there since the 1930s; would they be moved?
Humphrey : About 40% of the building will be dedicated to the DREAM Center. Some of our TRiO programs, federally funded grant programs that increase the pipeline of low-income and first-generation students enrolling at Cal Poly and other universities, will be relocated to other offices that are not in the center of campus. These staff members spend the bulk of their time in area middle and high schools.
SLOCN: Is there concern over financial impacts or political backlash from the University offering these students a venue? As well, where would any funds allocated for the center come from?
Humphrey : I do not have a concern, as it is my role to support students and create the conditions that help them reach graduation. Those conditions are different for every group of students, and it is my professional responsibility to put in place programs and services to help students reach graduation. Student Affairs funding will be used for items to support the center, like sofas, chairs, study tables, and technology.
SLOCN: Finnally, we noticed you sign off, with “In Community” and preferred pronouns. Is that policy now, something you use in every campus announcement?
Humphrey: Thanks for noticing, it’s not policy. As a leader I think it is my responsibility to sign notes that way (and my email signature) to role model the way I hope all Student Affairs staff represent themselves. Small steps like these have huge impact on our students.
