Dear President Warren, Provost Todd Diacon, and Members of the Board of Trustees:
 
Kent State University has a unique place in United States history, first as a normal school established to provide teachers for a burgeoning educational system and then as a touchstone for social justice and non-violence before and after the events of May 4, 1970. We are proud of Kent State’s historical role and current place in the world as a vibrant, intellectual community committed to inclusivity, diversity of thought, and passionate discourse. It is in this spirit of thought, care, and justice that we write you today.
 
 The University Policy Regarding Equal Opportunity (6-02) states:
In academic and student programs. It is the policy of this university that there shall be no unlawful discrimination against any student or applicant for admission as a student because of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, military status, or identity as a veteran with a disability or veteran of the Vietnam era. Such policy shall apply to, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: recruiting, admission, access to programs, financial aid, and social, recreational and health programs. This policy shall be applicable to all campuses and units of the university. This policy also shall apply with reference to discrimination on a basis of age insofar as required by law.
 
In employment. It is the policy of this university that there shall be no unlawful discrimination against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, military status, or identity as a veteran with a disability or veteran of the Vietnam era. Such policy shall apply to, but not necessarily be limited to, the following: employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer; recruitment or recruitment advertising; layoff or termination; rates of pay or other compensation; and selection for training, including apprenticeship. This policy shall be applicable to all campuses and units of the university. This policy also shall apply with reference to discrimination on the basis of age insofar as required by law.
 
We applaud the university for its establishment of these conditions. However, there remains a loophole in our policy in the phrase “insofar as required by law.” In response to promises and threats made throughout the election process that potentially undermine our current policies and practices—responses that include verbal and physical threats, violence, and aggression throughout the recent presidential election season with a steep rise in such aggressions since the election both on and off campus—we the undersigned students, faculty, staff, and community members at Kent State are calling on the university to implement a plan declaring all campuses of Kent State University sanctuary spaces.
 
As further outlined below, we understand the schools in our campus system to be safe spaces for for undocumented and DACAmented students, staff, and their families who face deportation; students of color; international students; LGBTQIA+ students; Islamic, Jewish, and all other religious groups; all veterans regardless of their status; and individuals who might require services for their needs as they pertain to their “disabilities.”
 
 It is our belief that this action is in keeping with our current status and policies at Kent State as our requests simply extend policies and practices that are already in place. In so doing, not only do we align ourselves with our university’s stated mission, we also reassert Kent State’s longstanding positions towards inclusion, diversity, and social justice.
 
 
According to an internal memo presented to the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in 2011, ICE officers are subject to certain restrictions upon entering college campuses without authorization (See: https://www.ice.gov/doclib/ero-outreach/pdf/10029.2-policy.pdf). We see establishing the Kent State system as sanctuary campuses as a concrete action the university can take to support and protect our community.

We ask that you implement the following actions:
(1) Declare Kent State University systems a sanctuary campus that will actively refuse to comply with immigration authorities regarding deportations or raids.
(2) Guarantee student privacy by refusing to release information regarding the immigration status of our students and community members to any government agency.
(3) Publicize resources available to undocumented students, with a staff member in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion who is specifically trained to aid undocumented students, and offer free on-campus access to legal counsel.
(4) Identify particular spaces on campus where those who feel threatened can seek refuge and protection, such as safe areas where trained staff and faculty are available to aid and engage students who are undocumented.
(5) Continue and further current commitments to students of color on campus by ensuring the rights and safety for students of color on our campus by refusing to honor or recognize federal, state, or regional laws, statutes, or regulations that target students of color
(6) Continue and further current commitments to and international students on our campus by refusing to honor or recognize federal, state, or regional laws, statutes, or regulations that target international students.
(7) Continue and further current commitments to the members of the LGBTQIA+ communities by refusing to honor or recognize federal, state, or regional laws, statutes, or regulations that target members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
(8) Continue and further current commitments to Islamic, Jewish, and all other religious communities by refusing to honor or recognize federal, state, or regional laws, statutes, or regulations that either express a preference for a particular religion and/or target specific religious communities (students, faculty, staff, etc).
(9) Continue and further current commitments to students with disabilities by refusing to honor or recognize federal, state, or regional laws, statutes, or regulations that target students with disabilities.


Respectfully and in solidarity,

Black United Students
Muslim Students' Association
Spanish and Latino Student Association
Ohio Student Association
United Students Against Sweatshops
Kent Books to Prisoners
Portage County Democratic Socialists of America
Phi Sigma Iota
Kent on Climate
Korean Culture Club
KSU Animal Rights and Environmental Awareness Club
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Kent State
Kent State University Graduate Student Senate
Sociologists for Women in Society
KSU Students Against Sexual Assault
Student Activists for Public Health
Kent Interhall Council Advocacy Committee
Kent Environmental Society
Geography Graduate Student Association
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Kaylee Peterson Panhellenic President
Rabbi Lee Moore/Hillel at Kent State
Brianna Foraker
Ryan Kreaps
Riley Braun
John R. Hess
Corissa Gay
Alyx Weaver
Jace McSwain
Morgan Buerke
Jasmine Howell
Lance Buerke
Leah Remy
Suleika Carlo-Ramos
Laura Atkins
Julia Holmberg
Carlyle Addy
Noah Kuiken
Dylan H. Tyler
Jaden Prendeau
jayla robinson
Saxen Martin-Jensen
John K.K. Jones
Rachel Lebzelter
Roy Skellenger
Willemina Davidson
Mary Kate McNally
James Waldron
Brett Drummond
Alexander Donchess
Konstantinos Kasamias/Kent on Climate
Hilary Crisan
Thomas Bingham
Sarah Sauer
Erik Svensson
Carine Graff
Donatella Cramer-vignon
Danielle Abbott
Yousof Mousa
Muslim Students' Association
Amanda Michalak
Nora Eagan
Nora Hmeidan
Claire Bobel
Celina Soussou
David Williams
Raj Nandigrami/SDAC
Amanda Miles -alumni-
Jhanisse Vaca Daza
Johanna Schuckert
Chance Zurub
Shannon Christen-Syed
Samantha
Hannah Servedio
Jenny Schug
Kennedy Nemeth
Rami K
Eric cucuz
Sehar Shaikh
Marisa Shepard
Elizabeth Root
Yvette Mendoza
Stephanie Cull
Kiana Duncan
Jaynell Nicholson on Behalf of Black United Students
David Pittman
Barbara Wilson-Battles
Larry Staats
Kathleen Jackson
Austin Bashore
Sean Nichols
Jamie Sevenbergen, Counseing Practicum Student, Kent State University Counselor Education and Supervision
Mitali Vaidyanath
Frédéric Vigne
Brittany Boord
Hannah Good
Yuberniz Orengo
Elise Szabo
Rachel Ramras
Alan Dufner
Scott McMaster II
Alicia Ortega/ SALSA
Bruce Walton
Daniel Hale
Matthew Shank
Caleb Valle
Seth Murray
Janet Hess
Chandler mack
Rayne L. Blakeman
Michael Sylvester
Alyssa Gage
Charlie Wilson
Tyler Kroon
Siobhan Barry-Bratcher
Alyssa Keown/ Kent on Climate
Victoria Heeter - KSU alumni
Francisco Javier Nolasco Jr.
Adam T Smith
Nicole Muffitt
Lindsey Patterson
Valerie Rockhold
Megan Martinko
Kristyn Keyser/ Phi Sigma Iota President
Natalia Roman
Drew Canfield
Rochelle Gause
Sam Nockengost
James Timms
Maria Rodriguez
Erica Cope
Gwendolyn West
Gabe Lorenz
Jereme Maffei
Zac Roetter
Amanda Dawson
Jacob Pelrine/Student
Isaac Paul Miller
Bruce Carl Ertmann
Megan Meyer
Daniel Grueber
Grace Goodluck
Timothy Colleran
Jamie Hamilton
Christopher Ely
Kristen Reiter
Cari Pierce
Zachary Thomas
Leah Giles
Adam Bulizak
Mike Lucas (IWW and Kent Books to Prisoners)
Jennifer Randell
Chris Kottman
Michael Pacifico
Andrew Atkins
E. Feagin Oliver
Mathew Blasio
Joanne Frick
Yuliya Koval
Samuel Wolford
Walter S. Gershon, Kent State University
Amoaba Gooden/ Kent State University
Richard Steigmann-Gall, PhD
Emariana Widner
Ann Heiss
Nicole Freeze
Kathryn Hannum
Rick Feinberg
Katie Knapp
Kent State University
Matthew Crawford
Lisa Audet
Wesley Raabe
Aaron Fries
David Kaplan, Kent State University
Elizabeth A. Wagoner
Deborah C. Smith, Associate Professor of Philosophy; Chair, Faculty Senate
Julie Globokar
Anthony Molina
Matt Garuccio
Leigh Baylor
Michael Scott/KSU
Kevin Stetka
Theresa Walton-Fisette
Sarah L. DeLury
Jennifer Walton-Fisette, Kent State University
Amanda Peel-Knight, Kent State Alumnus
Clare L. Stacey
Austin Johnson
Danniel Thomas
Cameron Hoover
Jessica Leveto
Zach Schiller
Brianna Turgeon
Barbara A. Barkley
Jada Paige Smith
Bobbi Reidinger
Stephen Sigmier
Tim Adkins, KSU Alumnus 2008 BA 2010 MA
Jennifer Cunningham
Unique Rembert
Timothy Scarnecchia, Kent State University
Christopher Roman
Chivon Fitch
Mallory Galbreath
Lisa Steigmann-Gall
Jessica C. Gardner
Elizabeth Hagan/alumnus
Deina Hamilton
Kim Eggleston-kraus
Boni Wozolek
Melissa Shields
Adri Bravo
Nicole Willey
Karen A Plummer
Robert Carrothers- KSU alum ('95, '97, '04)
KSU alumni
Casey Y. Myers
Rajeev Rajaram
Jennifer Oehler
Brian Castellani
Idris Kabir Syed
Margaret Castellani
Vivian Hogan
Aviad Israeli
Kim Garchar
Mary G. Wilson, Ph.D., Trumbull Campus
Tiffany Taylor
Tina Bhargava
Richard Serpe
Brian Castellani
Leah Bergquist, KSU LCI
Struther Van Horn
Lama Abu-Amara
Christopher Dum
Susan Kunkle
Michael P. Kreiter
Jon Overton
Anshul Sharma
Kayla Cagwin
Cara Gilgenbach
Matthew Pfeiffer
Susan Kunkle
Timothy R. Rose - Kent Campus
Elena Fox
Jacob Church
Brennan Miller
James Meeker
Rebecca Cash
Michelle Foster
Ken Hanson
Kelly Cichy
Hayley Arnold
Gumiko Monobe
Sela gilbert
Erin Andro
Ellen Budd
Emily Lanier
Carla Goar
Quintin Myers
Gretchen Rinnert, Kent State University
Andrew Barnes
Dallas Huff
Sarah Haren
Issam Roufael
Jenieve Cumberland
Elizabeth Mills
Gina Zavota
Kacey Milligan
Lauren Files
Megan Betts
Katie Gary
Sabrina Adjiri
Joseph Angelo
Lydia Rose, KSU East Liverpool
Corey Hubbard
Erin Ahlgreen
Beverly O'Connor Kent Resident and KSU alumnus
Liza Henriquez/ SALSA
Amanda Kiger
Aylin Chagolla
Sonya E. Irving, PhD
Jessica Chunat
Robin Everson
Natasha L. Rodriguez-Carroll
Matthew Carroll
Lauren Cammenga
Aaron Morgan
Haley Foster
Zelda Bravo
Meghan Hirsh
Michael J Stanley
Jessica Sabin
Carmen Phillips
Karen W. Budd
Rachel Aul
Drew Fernando
David Constas
Bryon Black II
Jessica Becker
Stephen Maxwell
Samantha (Hoover) Dawson, KSU Alumni
Eugenia Sokolskaya
Maryjayne Stone
Rachel Mason
Desra Diehl
Aaron E. Bacue
Deborah Braford
Carson Kreidler
Vilma Seeberg
Katelynn Iacianci
Gabriella Paar-Jakli
Tegan Wootton
Curtiss J Wiggins
Dennis Thompson
Daniel Jenkins
Shauna Rich
Sara stanke
Abigail Ross
Diana Blais
Enloe Wilson (Alumnus, '96)
Carolyn Matovina
Sam DeSanto
Lisa Hart
Erin Michael McLaughlin
Sarah Hamercheck
Joi Strickland
Ryan Cochran
Saron Rivera
Davey Squires
Christopher Hallahan
Maya Waller
Kaitlyn Leasure
Logan Moff
Elaine Waller
Kendra Dempster-Walsh
Chris Post
Marcella Fara
Kolton Nay
Corinthia richardson
Jinre Jones, Alumna 2015
Josh Stacher
Katie Crawford
James D. Ponder
Kayla Bindus
Bridgett Martinez
Dori Stevens
Maggie Gray
Maggie Gray
Phillip Bounthisavath
Dionna N. Stokes
Caitlin Hawkins
Lauren Sindelar (current student)
Nina Palattella
Jennifer Brunner
Jeffrey T. Child
Donna Payravi
Anthony Beesley
Margarita Douglas
Diana Harper
Mackenzie Gerl
Bissan
Susan Roxburgh
Julie wells
Sarah Mattison
Kym Whitehead
Hali Adkins
Olivia Campbell
Carly Nelson
Anna Droz
Kyle Dunn
Jordan Johnson
Stephanie Metzger
Loubna Bilali
Alex Tannert
Leah Norris
Alexis Cramer
Thomas Beeler
Michael May
Lindsey Hurchanik
Emily Thornton
Jenna Vicker
Ashton Wade
Bradley Dennis
Kelsey Husnick
Dane Castle
Michelle Eatman
Luis Gonzalez
Kim Kennedy
Katie North
Elizabeth Schmidt
John Best
Alasha Dunn
Kim Schimmel
Jennifer Dantz
Kaitlin Taszarek
Samantha Bell
Charles Malone, Graduate '02, '04, Current Staff
Pati Swartz KSU East Liverpool and Alumna
Elizabeth Kenyon
Victoria Migge
Rusty Schnellinger/Sociology
Daniel Diaz Nilsson
Bate  Agbor-Baiyee
Cherie Bronkar/Kent State University Tuscarawas
Christopher Rector
Heather Caldwell, Biological Sciences
Maureen Blankemeyer
Farid Fouad/Kent State, East Liverpool
Megan Shaeffer
Athena Salaba
Chang-Geun Oh/Kent State University
Rachael Lowe
Jessica Ankenman
Belinda Boon
Marjan Ghourchian
Tyler Jarrells
Chris McVay
Natalie Stokes
Jess Tanner
Rhonda Richardson
Madrean Bintz
Meritxell Serrano
Ally Kugler
Michele K. Donnelly
Regan Schell
Christine Hudak
Kevin Heller
Kevin C. Eckert
William J Bean
Linda Robertson, Center for International and Intercultural Education
Kimberly Stahler /KSU History Department
Mauren Schindler
M. Linda Nickson
Myles Samuel
Stephen Anderson
Julien Roland
Maya Shankar
Kelsey Guthrie- Alum
Paige Dennis
Betty Pimm
Alyssa Flynn, Alumna 2015
Stephen Mitchell
Flo Cunningham
Jenna Messenger
Mark Rhodes
Stephanie Budaker
Sarah Riedlinger
Stephanie Sheronovich
Sarah Mary Molina
Lindsay Syms
Nicole Perrone
Matthew Hudnall
Crystal Reedy
Dexter Zirkle
Josh Bickford
Alayna Stroberg
Sara Lawler
Zane DeLong
Yin Zhang
Morgan Chaney
April George
Rikki Vesy
Jessica Friesner
Evan Faidley
Julia Villaseñor
Hannah Robinson
Phaedra Scherl/Kent Campus, Ceramics
Zach Reichert
Maria Teresa Schultz
Linda Piccirillo-Smith
Cassie Storlie
Bahareh Gharehgozlou
Miriam Matteson
Tricia Niesz
Ayham Abuzeid
Mary Claire Shaffer
Paisley Rae Stovall
Ahmad Al Khatib
Jillian Holness
Kathryn Kerns, Dept. of Psychological Sciences
Noor Samman
Mahnooria Gill
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, inc.
Laura Lithgow
Manfred van Dulmen
Anna Marrinan
Wendy K Bedrosian, Graduate '04, Faculty Advisor KSEA
Uhuru Magazine
Sierra Allen
JoAnna Duke
Arie Hayre-Somuah
Diamond Brooks
Nico Mostella / Threads
Ellie Speck
Cynthia Pedley
Daisha Overstreet
Amber Bishop
Aja Labrador
Josefina Grau / Psychological Sciences
DaMiere Glover
David Riccio
Eric Hoover
Carol Robinson
Emily Bowe
Jennifer Taber
Brittany-Rose Huie
Fatima Mbacke
Andy Alex Martinez
Ase Xpressions
Raishel Farrier
Mary Parr
Nina Darden
Endr Adze
Afia Boachie
Cindy Widuck
Brianna Vinas / Kappa Delta Pi President, Phi Sigma Iota Vice President, and Students for Global Education Secretary
Cierra Sharp
Maria C. Laboranti Guzman
Seán Fejes
Andrea Maurice
Erin Brown
Rachel Tippett
Bernard Branner Jr.
Cole Wojdacz
Cassandra Brock
Xin Hong/ KSU Department of Geography
Hanieh Haji Molana
Sonali Kudva
Anna Solberg
Amy Du
Sara Paquin
Nathaniel Lee
Stian Rice
Martina Segovia
Weichuan Dong
Chase H Winfrey
Yoseph Dalia
Fusion Magazine
Md Rafiqul Islam
Office of the Faculty Senate
Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
Clair Yee
Laura Schuch
Brianna Richardson
Qingsong Liu/ KSU department of Geography
Karen Isaacs
Forrest Paige
Leonitia Mason
Nicolle Estevez
Thomas Watral
Kathleen Wiler
Ashley Murauskas
Autumn Caress
Jordan Yonkofski
Alejandra Fishman
MD I Islam/CS department
Tyler Dickon
Colleen Dragovich, Alumna '08, PhD Student
Matthew Sunthimer/ Office of International Programs and Education Abroad
Jennifer Spanos
Jacqueline Boyle
Claire Bobel Fonner
Bethany Loncher / Sigma Sigma Sigma
Kate Klonowski, GSS Advocacy Chair
Michelle Noell
Mercedis Myers
Karlee Varney
Alexandria Akin
Lauren Happ-Sigma Sigma Sigma
William Hess
Raj manan
Lassana Kanneh
Emily Hanlon
Ethan Luster
Lydia
Bobbie Szabo
Beth Lomske
Emily McDonnell, Alpha Phi
Sally Decker Smith
Jessica Cooke
Abigail Winternitz
Clara Sullivan
Nate Pappenhagen
Sherron Platt
Isis Thornton
Danyelle Chambers
David Fair
Ellen Saal Patterson
Benjamin Smith
Hazel
Nic Adkins
Saxen Martin-Jensen
Kent Lingua
John J. Weems
Julie Mazzei
Shannon Baranauskas
Nathan Shively
TaNica Holmes
Ephraim Nehemiah
Jason Cox
Erin Lawson
Miranda Thompson
North Lilly
Gillian Dunn
Emily Fryman
Sarah Snyder
Megan Krippel/Kent State Ashtabula
Valerie Gonzalez
Kaitlynn Flint
Nancy Yoder
Amanda Dolan
Danielle M. Weiser-Cline
Lindsey Myers - Kent State Ashtabula
Brie McGirr/Kent State Ashtabula
Chelsee Studniarz
Mason McLeod
Ava Chaney
Katy Tribuzzo
Alek Nielsen; Alumni 2014
Lori Lee
Kylee Hickmott
Elizabeth Brown
Kelly Nichols
Maura
Monica Peck
Carol Jones
Joshua Gonzalez
Nina Palazzolo
Sarah Waite
Gina Didiano
Mark Garcia
Samantha Wantz
Kristen Schmidt
John Camargo
Edward Dauterich
Akii Butler
Kevin Smith
Noel Bowers
Gabrielle Norcross, Sigma Sigma Sigma
Susan R. Fisk
Jessica Roe
Heather Dougherty
Matt Renfroe
Nathan Reineck
Mariel Zambelli
Patrick Gallagher
Joan Parks
Rita Khongphatthana
Stephanie Vincent
Jasmin Evans
Lisa Borgerding
Dianne Kerr/Kent State University
Amanda Burke
Sandy Ferdinand Varndell  Alum '84
Joseph D. Ortiz, Professor, Kent State University
Sarah Mortland
Grace Jacobsen
Payge Reynolds
Sacha Cajulis
Ricardo Ortega
Alex Jones / DSA
Alice Gianfagna
Golden Flash Fiction Club
Ashley Nickels