Dear GSD Alumni & Friends,

Most of you are aware that on Wednesday night, June 4, the administration announced a proclamation suspending entry to the United States for international students studying here at Harvard. I encourage you to read President Garber’s statement about the proclamation, in which he details how we, as a university, will continue to assert our constitutional rights.

As of Thursday, the court halted enforcement of the administration’s proclamation while our case proceeds. The court also extended its previous order, stopping the federal government from revoking Harvard’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certification. A hearing has been scheduled for June 16. Yesterday morning, President Garber sent the university community a follow-up email with these updates.

At the GSD, we are actively planning for a range of scenarios this fall, all the while acknowledging that the conditions we face are fluctuating almost daily. Nevertheless, we are preparing to take what measures we can to ensure that our international students have a viable way to continue their studies.

These continued illegal actions threaten the very fabric of our especially international community here at the GSD. Futures are being thrown into uncertainty. In the days and weeks ahead, if you know a returning or incoming international student who is affected by the administration’s actions, consider checking in with them.

Our alumni community is spread globally but remains close and supportive, and that closeness matters most in times like this one. While the university defends our community in court, let’s not forget the simple human power of asking how someone else is doing.

Thank you for your continued support of the GSD and our international community.

Yours sincerely,
Sarah

Sarah M. Whiting
Dean and Josep Lluís Sert Professor of Architecture
Harvard University Graduate School of Design