Roosevelt University has announced a safe space campaign. The initiative included posting "symbolic" signs across its urban and suburban campuses.
It stated that "Inclusion Has No Borders," as a response to President Donald Trump's recent changes to immigration policies. Roosevelt University formed the Outreach, Advocacy, Social Justice, Information and Safety (OASIS) committee last week, The College Fix reported.
The campaign includes posting the "Inclusion Has No Borders" signs inside the university's different campuses such as in Chicago and nearby Schaumburg, Illinois. The campus community has been encouraged to post the signs on campus and use the hashtag "#YouAreWelcomeHere" on social media.
The OASIS committee was created at the request of Roosevelt University President Ali Malekzadeh. Dawn Hougland, assistant director for international programs, told the publication that the campus group was formed at the president's behest in response to the things that they saw from the Trump administration, in terms of immigration.
In Roosevelt University's official website, it was confirmed that the OASIS committee is composed of about 20 members that includes faculty, administrators, students and staff. It is in-charge of reviewing and responding to immigration issues corresponding to higher education.
One of the committee's focuses will be to preserve and protect the rights of international students and immigrants enrolled at Roosevelt University. This is regardless of their status.
In another post from the school's website, Sharron Evans, associate vice president of student affairs and dean of students at Roosevelt University, noted that the "Inclusion Has No Borders" signs are a symbolic way for the campus community to show solidarity with other students or faculty who are affected by President Trump's immigration policies. She added that, through the campaign, they are demonstrating that it is important to respect all community members and to be inclusive of all identities.
Recently, the University of Arizona has launched new guidelines regarding "safe spaces." The initiative is to "maximize free speech in the classroom," encouraging students to say "ouch" when they are offended while the other party should respond with "oops."
