AMHERST — A task force at the University of Massachusetts whose members will provide immediate responses to executive orders and federal actions that affect immigrants, and be contacts for those concerned in the campus community, is being established by Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy.
In a letter to students, faculty and staff sent Thursday, Subbaswamy stressed the importance of such a group.
“As we monitor federal actions related to immigration status and other issues that directly impact the lives of so many students and colleagues, my administration and I are focused on gathering information quickly and responding in a timely fashion,” Subbaswamy wrote.
The letter comes after the chancellor already announced that he would do everything in his power to support and protect all members of the diverse community.
“Vital to that process is a campus task force that is coordinating responses to executive orders and changes in related federal policies,” Subbaswmay wrote.
UMass spokesman Daniel Fitzgibbons said the task force is a way to ensure there is a quick way to provide information and feedback to orders and actions issued by President Trump.
According to the letter, the task force will closely monitor executive actions, initiate outreach to people impacted in the campus community, identify needs and resources, and provide regular updates on developments.
A website with the latest news and information on federal policy changes is available at www.umass.edu/gateway/federal-actions.
The task force will have representatives from across the campus, from administrators to students.
John McCarthy, vice provost for graduate education and dean of the Graduate School, will serve as chairman.
Other members will include: Ed Blaguszewski, executive director of strategic communications; Natalie Blais, chief of staff for the Chancellor’s Office; Tim Cendrowski, manager of personnel services for human resources; Canan Cevik, president of the Graduate Student Senate; Pamela Dutta, associate director of the Student Legal Services Office; Robert Feldman, deputy chancellor; Enku Gelaye, vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life; John Kennedy, vice chancellor for university relations; Ken Reade, director of international student and scholars services, in the International Programs Office; Sandra Torres, immigration counsel, UMass Legal Office; and Kalpen Trivedi, executive director of the International Programs Office Anthony Vitale, president, Student Government Association; and Marinos Vouvakis, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
