Latest news with #NevillePinto
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UC must stand firm against Trump's constitutional overreach
Dear President Neville Pinto, Interim Provost Kristi Nelson, Law School Dean Haider Ala Hamoudi and members of the University of Cincinnati Leadership, we write to you as alumni of the University of Cincinnati and as legal professionals who have taken oaths to uphold the U.S. Constitution and pursue justice with fidelity to the law. Our education at the University of Cincinnati instilled in us a deep respect for constitutional freedoms and the principles of due process and equal protection under the law, as well as an understanding of the responsibilities these principles entail. A painful lesson we have learned from history is that the loss of fundamental freedoms in a society begins with the silence of its citizens. Therefore, we write to urge that the University of Cincinnati honor its commitment to being Boldly Bearcat and not bend to demands or directives from the Trump administration that are unconstitutional and violative of due process. More: 15 Ohio school districts don't sign Trump office's anti-DEI letter before deadline We boldly call on UC, as well as our elected officials and members of the legal community, to uphold and defend the rule of law − not just in theory, but in practice. The rule of law is a foundational principle that guarantees equal justice and protection under our laws, secures our rights, and ensures that elected and appointed officials are accountable to the people. We cannot capitulate to bullies who demand that institutions of higher learning act in opposition to their long-established principles and values. Our democracy depends on it. The foundational principles enshrined in our Constitution − freedom of expression, equal protection under the laws, separation of powers, freedom to protest, privacy rights, freedom of press, and democratic accountability − are under serious threat from the current administration. Public trust in institutions is being tested, and we believe it is important for the University of Cincinnati to reaffirm its core values and take a stand against the Trump administration's defiance of court rulings, extraconstitutional interference, and widespread attempts at intimidation. We strongly believe it is crucial for UC to immediately take steps to band together with other institutions to defend against attacks on the rule of law, to defend the freedom to determine what is taught at UC, and to defend freedom of expression and protect international students in the UC community. Institutions of higher learning like UC must be steadfast gatekeepers of the rule of law, of civic responsibility, of ethical and honest leadership, and of the promises we owe to our future generations. More: University of Cincinnati ends DEI, sparking 2nd day of student protests We call on you now to live up to the university's claims of "elevating justice and representing the practice of law at the highest levels," and not to bend to the demands of an administration that has already demonstrated defiance of the rulings of the U.S. Supreme Court, as well as a disturbing and dangerous pattern of constitutional overreach. Lisa Elliot Lee is a 2000 graduate of UC Law who has been practicing law in Cincinnati for the past 25 years. She writes this on behalf of UC law graduates who believe the university should take measures to defend itself against constitutional overreach and band together with other institutions to mount a common defense to threats to academic freedom. They include: Daniel Baker-Jones, UC Law Class of 2000; Tara Burke, UC Law Class of 2000; Julie Karkosak, UC Law Class of 2000; Keith Syler, UC Law Class of 2001; Andrew Kaake, UC Law UC Law Class of 2000; Anne Lucas, UC Law Class of 2002; Jamie Landvatter, UC Law Class of 2010; Jon Ford, UC Law Class of 2010; Klarysa Benge Israel, UC Law Class of 2004; Kane Kayser, UC Law Class of 2010; Katie Pridemore, Class of 1998; Aviva Rich, Class of 1999; Teri Robins, Class of 2001; Marianne Jones Ford, Class of 2002; Tracy Jackson, Class of 1992; Thomas Cuni, Class of 1975; Eve Mrkaic, Class of 2000; Kimberly Kilby, Class of 1998; Donita Parrish, Class of 2001; Eric Palmer, Class of 1999; Laura Foster, Class of 2000; Adolfo Olivas, Class of 1981; Elizabeth Tull Laureano, Class of 2007; David Kelley, UC Law Class of 1989; Rebekah Tidwell Fisher, UC Law Class of 2002; Arica Underwood, UC Law Class of 1997; Amanda Williams, UC Law Class of 2000; Rachael Magowan, UC Law Class of 2018; Annie Rice, UC Law Class of 2013; Billy Guinigundo, UC Law Class of 2004; Michael Welsh, UC Law Class of 2000; Jeannine Barbeau, UC Class of 1990; Nancy Ent, Former Program Manager, Urban Morgan Institute for Human Rights. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC must resist Trump's unlawful political interference | Opinion
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Trump admin yanks student visas in KY, Ohio. Why were some students targeted?
Some Kentucky and Ohio universities have reported some foreign students have had their visas revoked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as part of what appears to be a wider, nationwide purge of international students who entered the country to study in the United States. It's not known how many students have lost their student visas in Kentucky, Ohio and across the country. The revocations appear to be part of a much broader crackdown on foreign students. It's also not known why some students visas were revoked while others were not. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in late March more than 300 student visas were yanked largely because of those students' activism, particularly those who have supported Palestine. It's not clear if any of the students who have been forced to leave Kentucky and Ohio universities are part of this crackdown. University of Cincinnati officials confirmed Monday they've has been notified that several students at the university have had their visas revoked. UC has an undergraduate and graduate population of 53,000 students. About 8.7 % of its student body— roughly 4,600 students — are international students, according to its website. A Thursday campus message from UC President Neville Pinto said the revocation affects 'a small number of international students.' 'UC representatives are in touch with each of our impacted students, and we are doing what we can to support them during this incredibly challenging time. While we are aware that this is happening at universities across the nation, we have not been contacted by authorities, nor have we been given specific reasons for these revocations,' Pinto said in the email shared with the Herald-Leader. University of Kentucky officials announced Friday that some foreign students on UK's campus had also had student visas revoked. 'The University of Kentucky has learned that the Department of Homeland Security has revoked the F-1 student visas and/or status for a small number of international graduate students at UK. University officials immediately reach out to students in these circumstances to provide information and support,' said UK President Eli Capilouto. 'We recognize the impact visa and/or status revocation has on our students. I know, too, that this news will surface many questions.' UK has not released the number of graduate students affected. UK officials said it had 1,300 international students at the Lexington-based university. It's total enrollment is 36,000 students, according to its website. Jay Blanton, a UK spokesperson, said because the number of students is so small, it does not want to release any information that would compromise student privacy. Student visas were also revoked at Campbellsville University, a small private college in Southern Kentucky. Peter Thomas, assistant vice president for global services and senior international officer at Campbellsville University, told Inside Higher Ed students enrolled there had visas revoked because of criminal infractions, 'even though they were found innocent or the case [was] dismissed.' It seems some universities' students were targeted by federal immigration officials while other universities' foreign students have not. Officials with Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond and University of Louisville said Monday they have not been notified of any student visa terminations. Northern Kentucky University officials did not immediately return emails asking for comment. Herald-Leader reporter Monica Kast contributed to this story.
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Visas of 'a small number' of University of Cincinnati international students revoked
The Trump administration revoked visas for "a small number" of international students at the University of Cincinnati, the school's president said in an email Thursday evening. The university learned that the F-1 visas of those students were revoked by the Department of Homeland Security. UC President Neville Pinto said the school was not contacted by the department or given specific reasons for the students' visas being revoked. F-1 visas allow international students to study in the United States. "UC representatives are in touch with each of our impacted students, and we are doing what we can to support them during this incredibly challenging time," Pinto said in the letter addressed to the campus community. The Enquirer has reached out to a UC spokeswoman for more information. The revocation for students at UC comes as a handful of students at universities across the country have had their visas revoked. The Trump administration issued an executive order earlier this year prompting the U.S. State Department to do a full review of all visa programs and ensure foreign nationals do not pose a threat to national security, a spokesperson for the agency told The Enquirer's network partner USA TODAY. In particular, federal officials have targeted pro-Palestine students in ongoing protests across the country. On Tuesday, UC campus police arrested a student with a Palestinian flag after they said he was impeding other demonstrators on campus. UC is home to around 4,600 international students, roughly 9 percent of its student body, according to the school's most recent enrollment numbers. This story may be updated. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Visas of University of Cincinnati international students revoked
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Area universities among dozens under investigation for alleged racial discrimination
Two area universities are under investigation for elelged racial discrimination. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The University of Cincinnati and Ohio State University are on a list of 45 different universities that are now under investigation by the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), according to CBS-affaliate WBNS and our sister station at WCPO. This investigation specifically centers on schools that are partnering with The Ph.D. Project, an organization that focuses on helping students of all backgrounds pursue a business PhD. TRENDING STORIES: 911 call: 'He's bleeding out;' man found shot inside Dayton lounge Woman dead after crash involving tractor Miami Valley set for new Big Boy restaurant following area-wide closures Department of Education officials said that the group limits eligibility based on race and that colleges that partner with it are 'engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.' In response to the investigation, a spokesperson with Ohio State told WBNS that the university 'does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity or any other protected class, and our PhD programs are open to all qualified applicants.' 'Given the extent to which our university, like most educational institutions, relies on federal funding to deliver and sustain our core mission, it is untenable to operate as if noncompliance with these directives is an effective option,' UC President Neville Pinto told WCPO. We will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Area universities among dozens under investigation for alleged racial discrimination
Two area universities are under investigation for elelged racial discrimination. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The University of Cincinnati and Ohio State University are on a list of 45 different universities that are now under investigation by the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights (OCR), according to CBS-affaliate WBNS and our sister station at WCPO. This investigation specifically centers on schools that are partnering with The Ph.D. Project, an organization that focuses on helping students of all backgrounds pursue a business PhD. TRENDING STORIES: 911 call: 'He's bleeding out;' man found shot inside Dayton lounge Woman dead after crash involving tractor Miami Valley set for new Big Boy restaurant following area-wide closures Department of Education officials said that the group limits eligibility based on race and that colleges that partner with it are 'engaging in race-exclusionary practices in their graduate programs.' In response to the investigation, a spokesperson with Ohio State told WBNS that the university 'does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity or any other protected class, and our PhD programs are open to all qualified applicants.' 'Given the extent to which our university, like most educational institutions, relies on federal funding to deliver and sustain our core mission, it is untenable to operate as if noncompliance with these directives is an effective option,' UC President Neville Pinto told WCPO. We will continue to follow this story. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
