A message from university leaders in support of international students

Dear Marquette community,

Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced new polices related to fall semester student enrollment, online learning and maintaining F-1 student visa status. These policies directly affect our international students, particularly as it relates to students exclusively enrolling in online courses for the fall.

Marquette is dedicated to doing everything we can to support our international students’ continued academic experience on campus. As a Catholic, Jesuit institution, Marquette seeks to be an inclusive learning community proud to educate and employ individuals from many backgrounds, perspectives and national origins.

The Office of International Education staff members are currently communicating with students about these policies and will provide further guidance as it becomes available.

In the meantime, here is some initial guidance for our international students:

Marquette plans to resume campus operations this fall with in-person classes. Some classes, however, may be online or a hybrid of distance/in-person learning. Because Marquette is offering in-person and hybrid learning during fall semester, current international students will not be required to leave the United States.

For continuing students who will be in Milwaukee for the fall semester: You will maintain your F-1 visa status if you are taking in-person classes and you will also be allowed to take some online classes, if necessary.

  • For graduate students: Registration in Continuation courses is considered in-person if you are actively continuing your research/thesis on Marquette’s campus. Registration for graduate level clinical or practicum courses is considered in person.  Registration for graduate level research or dissertation credits is considered in person.

For continuing students who are not in the United States:
If you will not be in the U.S. for the fall semester and you wish to continue your Marquette study through online classes, please contact your college adviser about appropriate classes for your degree. Based on the new policies, your F-1 visa status will be inactive while you are outside the U.S. for the fall semester. OIE will provide more details about the implications of this interruption as information becomes available.

If you are outside the U.S. and you plan to return to Milwaukee for fall semester, OIE will contact you soon about an updated Form I-20 and documentation needed for your return.

Marquette University does not support any decision that limits access to higher education in the U.S. We stand by the AJCU’s statement, which called on Acting Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf to withdraw this guidance immediately.

We especially want to remind all of our international students that you are, have been and always will be welcome here. Each of you make a unique contribution to our academic community through your diverse cultures and worldview enriching all of us.

Marquette is home to more than 500 international students from around the world. Our mission calls for us to be inclusive of community members from all backgrounds, and that includes our many international students who come from all parts of the globe. We support you, we stand in solidarity with you and we will do everything we can to help you continue your education at Marquette.

OIE will continue to work directly with international students on how to proceed.

Sincerely,
Terence Miller, JD
Director of International Education

Dr. William Welburn
Vice President for Inclusive Excellence