University president: Out-of-state students reconsider plans to attend Arizona

My sister, who is a postdoctoral research associate in the Department of Animal Sciences at the University of Arizona in Tucson, forwards a letter sent out to the campus community this morning from university President Robert N. Shelton in reference to the new immigration law signed by Gov. Jan Brewer.

We have already begun to feel an impact from SB 1070. The families of a number of out-of-state students (to date all of them honors students) have told us that they are changing their plans and will be sending their children to universities in other states. This should sadden anyone who cares about attracting the best and brightest students to Arizona.

Additionally, large numbers of UA students, faculty, staff and appointed professionals have expressed concerns that they or members of their families or their friends may now be subject to unwarranted detainment by police. Many of these individuals are from families that have been residents of Arizona for generations. While I am completely confident that no one need fear the way that UAPD will approach the application of this law, I nevertheless appreciate the anxiety that friends and colleagues are feeling. It is a concern and fear that no one should have to harbor.

Shelton says that university police will receive extensive training on the new law, noting that it includes a provision prohibiting authorities from stopping individuals solely on the basis of race, color or national origin.

Shelton's letter concludes by saying that the Arizona Board of Regents will be discussing the implications of the new law at its meeting in Phoenix later this week.

Meanwhile, the Arizona law has prompted heated discussion in the offices of YES! Weekly, and members of our staff have strong feelings for and against it. I wrote an editorial denouncing the bill, but considering that it did not reflect our consensus, my piece was published as a staff column.