Updates in Academic Affairs: February 7, 2017
Inside Updates: International students and others from countries listed in a federally imposed travel ban are urged to avoid leaving the United States. Also, learn about a salary-negotiation workshop for students, as well as an important meeting in March for non-bargaining staff in academic affairs
Tips for WMU students, employees from nations listed in immigration executive order
by Dr. Wolfgang Schlör, associate provost, Haenicke Institute for Global Education, and Lee Ryder, director of immigration services, Haenicke Institute
Due to an executive order barring the citizens of seven nations from entering the United States and in light of an ongoing court battle challenging the travel ban’s legality, we are cautioning WMU students, scholars, faculty, staff and dependents who are citizens of the countries listed in the order to avoid leaving the U.S. at this time. Once outside the country, these individuals may not be able to re-enter if court orders change in the interim.
Trump’s executive order has been challenged in court and, on Feb. 3, temporarily blocked by a federal judge. But the ultimate fate of the order is not yet known. Haenicke Institute for Global Education staff will continue to closely monitor this evolving situation.
Please know that even “lawful permanent residents” (U.S. green card holders) from the affected countries should be mindful about leaving the United States. Though it has since been clarified by U.S. Department of Homeland Security that the ban does not include U.S. lawful permanent residents, initially they were put through a very high level of scrutiny when entering the U.S., with lengthy secondary inspections and questioning to determine whether they presented a threat.
Please see the recent statement from the White House on the topic at: https://www.nafsa.org/uploadedFiles/NAFSA_Dojo/Professional_Resources/Browse_by_Interest/International_Students_and_Scholars/WHlegal_LPRok.pdf
Anyone from the WMU community who is a citizen of a country listed in the executive order may contact the University’s international office at (269) 387-5865 for concerns related to international travel in connection with their visa status. WMU’s immigration services website, wmich.edu/immigration, also is a great source of information. Please also refer to the U.S. departments of State and Homeland Security for updates on regulations.
We also realize that this situation may create significant anxiety, and we want to remind students that they have free access to counseling resources at the Sindecuse Health Center. Students can speak confidentially with counselors who are trained to help those experiencing emotional and social difficulties, and stress and anxiety.
On Jan. 30, WMU President John Dunn issued a statement on Trump’s executive order, reiterating that WMU continues to welcome and support all of our international students, faculty and staff. All of us in the Haenicke Institute stand by your side at this difficult time.
Salary-negotiation workshops offered
A Start Smart salary-negotiation workshop for students will be offered on three dates during the spring semester at Career and Student Employment Services in Ellsworth Hall, Room 1401.
The Start Smart workshop, with content provided by the American Association for University Women, is designed to prepare students to approach the job market with the confidence, knowledge and skills they need to negotiate salaries and benefits.
This spring, the two-hour workshop will be offered at the following dates and times:
- Tuesday, Feb. 14, 3 to 5 p.m.
- Thursday, March 16, 4 to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, April 4, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. (Coincides with Equal Pay Day, a date symbolizing how far into the year women must work to earn what men earned in the previous year)
- how the gender wage gap affects their lives,
- how to negotiate a starting salary to narrow the wage gap early in their careers,
- how to articulate their value and improve lifelong earning potential,
- how to benchmark salary and benefits, and
- how to develop a personal budget to determine salary needs.
Strong negotiation skills ensure students are putting a fair price on their work; this also helps establish a benchmark for future salary increases. Women, according to the American Association of University Women, earn just 82 percent of what their male counterparts earn in the first year following graduation, and the wage gap continues to widen in ensuing years.
Registration is limited to 20 students per workshop. To register, visit the BroncoJOBS portal at https://app.joinhandshake.com/login or email Lynn Kelly-Albertson, executive director for Career and Student Employment Services, at lynn.kelly-albertson@wmich.edu.
Meeting set for academic affairs non-bargaining staff
The Office of the Provost will host a meeting for all non-bargaining unit staff members in academic affairs on Thursday, March 23, in the Fetzer Center, Rooms 1035-1055. A continental breakfast will be provided.
To accommodate normal business hours and operations, two meeting times are being offered: 8:15 to 9:30 a.m. and 10 to 11:15 a.m. Supervisors are encouraged to accommodate staff participation in these meetings.
For additional information, contact the Office of the Provost at (269) 387-2380 or office-of-the-provost@wmich.edu.