Best Practices For Educators

From ongoing research, UO DREAMers Working Group has created a preliminary list of best practices from other colleges and universities currently in place or suggested.

1. The President or Provost should issue a clear institutional statement to the campus community (via email) and posted on the university’s website that explicitly states the institution’s recognition and support of undocumented students as part of campus community. Several examples of such statements from other institutions are available.

2. Any units that advise students on employment, internships, study abroad or similar opportunities should review the revisions enacted by the passage of DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals), which provides some expanded opportunities for undocumented students in these areas.

3. Information about admissions policy and financial aid pertaining to undocumented students should be incorporated into all admissions and financial aid materials issued by the university.

4. The University should provide information to students on how to complete residency questions on DACA applications

5. The university should create a training manual or resource guide for faculty and staff who serve undocumented students, including information about:

  • State and system wide policies
  • Best practices to support undocumented students
  • Information about scholarship

6. The University should create and disseminate resource guide/website for undocumented students

7. Invite expert presenters (e.g., undoc students, alumni) for outreach events

8. Create a faculty-mentoring program for undocumented students and allies

9. Support the creation of an undocumented student support group (for students and allies), providing safe spaces and displaying symbols of solidarity

10. Provide culturally competent counseling and guidance, in particular around rights and protections against deportation

11. The Financial Aid and Admissions offices should provide information to undocumented students on cost of college and making college affordable

12. Units across campus should research and provide information for scholarships that do not have residency or citizenship requirements

  • Update scholarship lists regularly
  • Provide application assistance

13. Provide information on post-grad options: job opportunities, restrictions, graduate school options

14. Provide networking opportunities for undocumented students on campus, locally, nationally

15. Partner with local organizations and immigration attorneys to provide legal assistance to students

16. Create a standing university task force on outreach, retention, and graduation of undocumented students

17. Provide information and support to students whose family members are undocumented

18. Identify university funds or private donations that can be allocated toward scholarships and funding opportunities

19. Support research that can generate information about programs and best practices for undocumented students

20. Stay informed of the policy changes in the state, system, or institution

21. Provide on-going professional development (ally training) for faculty and staff

 

Working with Undocumented Students

Top 10 ways to support undocumented students:

  1.  Make information and resources about undocumented students easily available to all students. ​
    1. Don’t ask students to self-identify. Many students will be too scared to reveal their immigration status.
  2.  Be open-minded. Don’t make assumptions about which students may or may not be undocumented. Undocumented students aren’t all Latino, Spanish-speaking, or enrolled in ESL classes.​
  3. Be knowledgeable about specific government and college admission policies that affect undocumented students.
  4. Support the federal DREAM Act and other state-based legislation to support undocumented students.​
  5. Identify private scholarships that don’t require citizenship or residency.​
  6. Encourage private scholarship sources to allow undocumented students to apply.​
  7. Identify private sponsors who can provide financial support to undocumented students.​
  8. Help undocumented students create lasting support networks that can offer ongoing mentoring and advice, even after the college admission process.
  9. Identify older undocumented students to serve as role models.​
  10. Refer students to qualified legal counsel to investigate possible immigration remedies

 

INFORMATIONAL  MATERIALS

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