Petition seeks ‘sanctuary campus’ status for NMSU

An professor at New Mexico State University is asking the school’s president to change his mind when it comes to a “sanctuary campus” designation, meant to protect undocumented students enrolled in a university.

The movement has gained steam in the wake of Donald Trump’s election to the presidency.

In a memo sent to students and employees, NMSU President Garrey Carruthers said the university respects the privacy of all its students and does not disclose student information, except upon consent of the student.

The memo goes on to state the university will not declare itself a sanctuary campus or otherwise take a position on this matter. It also added NMSU will not ban law enforcement from campus, saying doing so, would jeopardize federal funding.

Dr. Julie Rice, an associate professor at NMSU, is one of the petitioners calling for Carruthers to change his mind.

Rice says that designation would protect students from intimidation, unfair investigation and deportation. She also says NMSU should block immigration officials from coming on campus.

“Our request for the sanctuary campus include not allowing ICE on campus so that students feel safe so they can achieve their educational goals and security. We also want the administration to commit to, any time a hate crime or discrimination occurs on campus, that steps will be taken so the incidents are reported to the appropriate authority,” Rice said.

A multi-campus rally will be held on January 26 from 11-2 p.m. on campus. Rice says students will march through campus and deliver their petition to President Carruthers.

If you would like to read and sign the petition, click here.