Over the past year, many international students and scholars have had an increased sense of anxiety and fear amidst change and uncertainty in immigration policies outlined by the federal government.

With a commitment to being a safe space for its community, the University of Minnesota has dedicated staff and faculty who support international students and scholars in a variety of ways.

Providing guidance in an ever-changing policy landscape

One of those resources is International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), which is dedicated to serving the international community on the Twin Cities campus.

ISSS offers support that includes ensuring these students and scholars have a smooth transition to the University, understand and follow regulations pertaining to their visa type, are connected to campus resources and much more.

Beth Isensee, associate director of student engagement in ISSS, works  with University partners to create an inclusive and engaged international learning community.

ISSS provides guidance around immigration policies, which is made more challenging by the frequent changes that have been announced over the past year.

“When a new policy comes out, we receive the information at the same time as everyone else,” she says. “We have to determine what it means and provide the correct guidance. We also want to make sure students and scholars feel supported.”

Supporting partners

Isensee explains that one of the best ways University faculty and staff can support international students and scholars is by connecting them with units ISSS partners with such as the Office for Student Affairs, Office for Equity and Diversity, Student Legal Service and Boynton Health.

Colleen McDonald, associate vice president for health and wellbeing and executive director of Boynton Health, says, “We have heard that many international students are concerned about leaving their residences, so we have expanded telehealth options including for mental health and partnering with ISSS to provide no-cost delivery of prescriptions to international students. Additionally, we have expanded the Nutritious U food pantry hours and offer a ‘Send a Shopper’ offer for students to designate a proxy to pick up food for them.”

Another valued partner of ISSS is the University Retirees Volunteer Center (URVC), which provides opportunities for individuals to use their knowledge, skills and interests to serve the University of Minnesota and surrounding communities.

In January, URVC volunteers welcomed more than 80 international students at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, many of whom were concerned about their safety around the increased federal law enforcement in the Twin Cities. These volunteers were a much appreciated welcoming face, providing rideshare vouchers from the University to students to ensure they got to campus safely.

"URVC values and hopes to grow its partnerships with campus units like ISSS to support student learning and success,” says Jerry Rinehart, URVC chair. “University of Minnesota retirees are a vital part of the University community, and we are eager to help where we can to support this great enterprise."

Isensee also says that faculty and staff can make a huge difference for international students and scholars simply by asking how things are going in their daily life, identifying challenges they’re facing, connecting them to support resources and, most importantly, underlining that they’re a valuable member of our community.

“Faculty and staff would be surprised to know that even a five-minute conversation with a student or scholar can make a big difference,” she says. “Words of encouragement and support are really critical at this time.”

While her job can be stressful, Isensee still loves what she does.

“Every day I get to learn something new and discover the world through our students and scholars,” she says. “They are so talented and the gifts and insights they bring are truly amazing. I’m very privileged to be able to do what I do and I'm very proud of them.”

Learn more about ISSS and URVC. Contact Jerry Rinehart ([email protected]) to share or learn more about URVC volunteer opportunities.