Tag Archives: Pribbenow

Statement in response to Presidential Executive Orders

On Monday, January 30, Augsburg College President Paul C. Pribbenow and Provost Karen Kaivola issued a statement of support to College students, faculty, and staff about recent executive orders issued by President Donald J. Trump related to immigration and to undocumented/DACA students.

“We do not accept the intolerance which the new immigration policies promote. Augsburg’s history is rich with the contribution of individuals who came to America; indeed, founded by Norwegian immigrants, Augsburg has an immigrant sensibility and will stand firm in the face of threats to our community and our immigrant neighbors,” wrote the President and Provost.

“We will double down on our commitments to hospitality and justice, to supporting our students’ success and to keeping them safe. We will advocate at the state and federal level for policies that support all of our students.”

Read “Statement: President Pribbenow, Provost Kaivola on executive orders by President Donald J. Trump” on the News and Media site.

Actions: Week Following Presidential Election

Since the election of U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Augsburg College has been monitoring actions of the Trump Administration and communicating with students, faculty, and staff. Actions taken by Augsburg during the week of Nov. 16 included:

  • President Paul C. Pribbenow sent an email the day after the election calling on all Auggies to be gentle and generous with each other even as we challenge each other to live up to our highest aspirations of educating students (and each other) to be “informed citizens, thoughtful stewards, critical thinkers, and responsible leaders.”
  • In Chapel on November 21, Associate Professor and Chair of the History Department Michael Lansing shared reflections about the election in his address, “Faith and Politics, Post-Election.”
  • A student-led discussion was held on November 21 in the Student Lounge that same evening, facilitated by Augsburg Day Student Government President Abe Johnson ’18 and Vice President Mariam Fawzy ’18.
  • The week of November 28, Provost Karen Kaivola sent a message about teaching in difficult times and that offered support for faculty and students through the final weeks of this winter semester.
  • President Pribbenow sent a letter to our DACA and undocumented students underscoring our commitment to making an Augsburg education available to learners of all backgrounds, without regard to national or ethnic origin.
  • Augsburg College signed a public statement in support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and our undocumented students, endorsed by more than 90 colleges and universities across the nation. And we were among the first of more than 160 colleges and universities to sign a letter calling on President-elect Donald Trump to take a more vigorous stand against harassment, hate and acts of violence.