This has undoubtedly been a very difficult week for our university community. As expressed by President Gertler in his statement on the shooting in Québec City, our heartfelt condolences go out to the Muslim communities in Québec, across Canada, and here at home in Toronto.

Additionally, President Gertler issued a statement on Sunday expressing concern at recent events in the United States. He spoke on behalf of all of us when he said that targeting and restricting travel of individuals on the basis of their nationality or birthplace is antithetical to everything we stand for as an institution and a country.

Pertaining to the US travel restrictions, we are writing to highlight some information and resources in place to support our community. This information is also available on the Immigration at U of T website* which will continue to be updated as the situation evolves.

Resources

• For students travelling or planning to travel abroad who have questions or concerns:
  • Contact the Safety Abroad Office at 416-946-3929;
  • In case of an emergency, reach the 24-hour collect emergency line via Campus Police at 416-978-2222.

• For faculty and staff who may have questions or concerns about their own status overall:
  • Faculty, Visiting Professors, Guest Lecturers can contact faculty.immigration@utoronto.ca;
  • Postgraduate Medical Trainees can contact postgrad.med@utoronto.ca;
  • Staff, Research Associates, and Postdoctoral Fellows can contact hr.immigration@utoronto.ca;
  • All other inquiries can be sent to hr.immigration@utoronto.ca.

• For international students who may have questions or concerns about their own status overall:
  • UTSG international students can reach staff at the Centre for International Experience at 416-978-2564 or cie.information@utoronto.ca;
  • UTM international students can reach staff at the International Experience Centre at 905-569-4716 or international.utm@utoronto.ca;
  • UTSC international students can reach staff at the International Student Centre at 416-287-7518 or isc@utsc.utoronto.ca.

Temporary Resident Status

On a related note, as of February 1, 2017, the Federal Government has approved, by executive order, a Temporary Public Policy for those affected by the Executive Order of the United States, which allows them to remain temporarily in Canada by applying for Temporary Resident Status. Divisions looking to support students, faculty, and staff affected by the US travel ban should highlight this Temporary Public Policy. Specific questions can be directed to one of the contacts listed above.

How to Help

Many of us have begun to consider other ways we can assist. Examples of some of the ways the U of T academic community are engaging include:

• Consideration of late applications for admissions;
• Speaking to US universities where graduate students may have job talks or conferences to request Skype access;
• Offering to temporarily host individuals stranded in Canada by the US ban;
• Offering to temporarily support impacted students and academic staff as visiting students and visiting professors at U of T;
• Supporting US-based colleagues by hosting events previously scheduled for the US here at U of T.

If your division intends to provide assistance or would like to engage in new initiatives to support affected students and colleagues, please share your plans with Joseph Wong whose office can provide support and is compiling a list of our collective efforts:

Joseph Wong
Associate Vice-President & Vice-Provost, International Student Experience
avp.international@utoronto.ca

*It is imperative that in our efforts to assist individuals that we do NOT provide immigration advice except through the contacts provided above. While well intended, unauthorized immigration advice can complicate matters for individuals and limit the University’s ability to assist in the future.

Thank you for all of your combined efforts to support our community and all those affected.