Standing with Our International Community

Dear Members of the HSDM Community,

I was deeply disheartened yesterday to see the actions taken by the federal government to target our international students and scholars by revoking Harvard’s certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. Our community is enriched by our international community and their perspectives and experiences. Without them, there would be a gaping hole in the very fabric of our School. I reiterate President Garber’s condemnation of these actions as unlawful and unwarranted.

While the University manages a strong response to this latest threat with legal action, I want to reassure our international community that we stand with you. While we do not have all the answers at the moment, we will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide more guidance as soon as we are able to. In support of our students, the Office of Student Affairs will host drop-in hours today between noon to 1pm in REB 109. Similarly, the Office of Faculty Affairs will host drop-in hours between noon to 1pm in Main 205.

Our international community should also keep an eye on the Harvard International Office website for updates and refer to the FAQs that cover a number of topics of concern.

Please know that the thoughts and support of all of us at HSDM—your faculty, mentors, colleagues and classmates—are with you during this unsettling time. In the words of President Garber, we will support you as we do our utmost to ensure that Harvard remains open to the world.

Sincerely,

William V. Giannobile
Dean and A. Lee Loomis Professor of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity
Harvard School of Dental Medicine