President's Community Message
Dear Members of the Holy Cross Community,
As an institution of higher education, Holy Cross has a responsibility to help our students discern their future vocation. For some of our students, that means service in the federal government. Providing our students with the tools needed to navigate the pathways to those crucial roles is an essential function of our work. For generations, Holy Cross has sent many Jesuit-educated, deeply ethical leaders to the highest reaches of our government, and to agencies across the spectrum of its work. I believe our nation is better off for it.
For the past six years, Holy Cross has invited representatives of the Department of Homeland Security to visit our campus to provide students with important information and insight into the complex process of applying for federal careers–a process that has undergone many changes recently. That information session today for students registered will instead be held via Zoom in order to allow this important information sharing to continue for students who are interested.
As in the past, these representatives were asked to present information on how to seek a career in the federal government, in agencies from the DHS to the Department of Labor to NASA. Although DHS includes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it also encompasses the Coast Guard, FEMA, and the Secret Service among other areas.
Many in the Holy Cross community are deeply upset by some tactics currently being employed by the federal government in the area of immigration enforcement. In recognition of this, some are planning to peacefully demonstrate. Holy Cross affirms the rights of students, faculty and staff to express ideas and state their agreement or disagreement with the opinions of others. This includes the right to disagree through peaceful protest that does not disrupt campus operations, work, or learning, violate College policy, or cause a threat to campus safety. Later this afternoon, the Division of Student Development will share more resources and support opportunities for those who need them.
Last week I gathered to pray in solidarity with many of you at an interfaith witness for migrants and refugees and to hear Most Rev. Mark J. Seitz, Bishop of El Paso, deliver a talk on “the Church’s mission to stand with the marginalized, challenge oppression, and defend the inherent dignity of every person.” I understand the challenging moment we are in as a nation, and the hurt many feel around the enforcement of immigration policies.
At the same time, the Conference of U.S. Bishops earlier this week issued a rare special message reaffirming the fundamental dignity of all human persons and deep concern for the climate of fear and anxiety being created by immigration enforcement in this country. They also recognized that “nations have a responsibility to regulate their borders and establish a just and orderly immigration system for the sake of the common good.” I believe having more deeply educated and ethical leaders in the federal system is essential to ensuring the kind of just immigration system envisioned by the Bishops.
As you engage in dialogue on these complex topics with those around you, I would encourage us all to remember the values we embrace as members of the Holy Cross community and as Jesuit Catholic liberal arts college. These are difficult, emotional conversations, and it is my hope that we can continue to navigate them in solidarity and community with one another.
Sincerely,
Vincent D. Rougeau
President