On behalf of the tuition-paying students, laboring faculty and staff, and proud alumni of Ball State University, we write to express our deepest concern at recent escalations in immigration enforcement by ICE and DHS and Ball State University’s continued silence and inaction to protect immigrant students, faculty, and staff. Recent escalations by ICE and DHS have resulted in the unlawful battery, arrest, detainment, and death of immigrants and U.S. citizens. This creates significant uncertainty and anxiety around the safety of community members. It is increasingly important that institutions pursue transparency around policy and use their power to protect the constitutional rights and human dignity of our community members–something this University has failed to do.

Meanwhile, members of the Ball State community are asked to abide by the promise of beneficence. We vow to “maintain high standards of scholarship and excellence, to practice academic honesty, to act in a socially responsible way, and to value the intrinsic worth of every member of the community”. Ball State University, in its ongoing complacency with federal and state immigration overreach, has failed to uphold this pledge. Not only does Ball State University’s failure to protect its own community contradict the beneficence pledge, it also diminishes its value as an aspirational symbol. If our own University cannot promise to act in a socially responsible way or to value the intrinsic worth of every member of its community–regardless of national origin–how can it expect us to?

We demand that Ball State University abide by the beneficence pledge and take relevant action to ensure the safety and dignity of every member of its community, regardless of national origin. At a minimum, we demand that Ball State University:

1. Publish a statement affirming the constitutional rights of students, faculty, and staff in regards to immigration enforcement and clarifying University policy on UPD involvement or noninvolvement with ICE and DHS.

2. Commit not to assist or collaborate with ICE or DHS.

3. Commit not to enter into a 287(g) agreement with ICE, mandating UPD involvement with immigration enforcement actions.

4. Designate BSU classrooms as private facilities, protected by the United States Constitution.

5. Notify all campus community members of the presence of ICE on campus via text/e-mail alert, as with all other relevant safety concerns.

6. Provide non-compliance training to all public-facing faculty and staff.

The above items are minimum requirements for Ball State University to adhere to the beneficence pledge and the “enduring values” outlined in the Destination 2040, Our Flight Path, 2025-30 Strategic Plan (excellence, innovation, courage, integrity, inclusiveness, social responsibility, and gratitude).

We demand immediate change in pursuit of a campus of universal beneficence.