Campus Informer
Brewer Blasts Obama for DREAMer ‘Backdoor Amnesty’ Policy; First Female President at UVA Ousted
Brewer Slams Landmark Immigration Announcement; Calls it “Outrageous.” Gov. Jan Brewer (R-Ariz.) condemned recent measures aimed at providing temporary deportation immunity for certain young undocumented immigrants, calling it “backdoor amnesty." Brewer, most known for ushering in the state’s controversial SB1070 legislation that forces local law enforcement to check the immigration status of any person they suspect may have entered the country illegally, said that the recent proposal has compromised the state’s law, by providing documentation to undocumented citizens between the ages of 16 and 30 that meet the DREAM Act criteria. “The crux of SB 1070 is documentation. [Obama] going to give documentation to nearly 1 million people who have arrived in the country illegally,” said Brewer. “The timing is unbelievable.” Experts have said that the announcement by the Obama administration might hamper the state’s efforts to go after undocumented citizens, as the order would allow certain individuals to apply for a work permit if they have met requirements, which would allow them to then apply for the proper identification that Arizona requires. “I suspect the documents these people get will count as registration documents, so there would no longer be a basis for charging them,” Doug Martin, professor at the University of Virginia’s School of Law, and former deputy general counsel for the Department of Homeland Security from 2009-2011 said. “And, even if police stopped and checked, the proper response from (federal immigration authorities) would simply be they are not going to take action against them.” [The Arizona Republic]
Senate Committee Passes Pell Grant Increase. The Senate Appropriations Committee, and Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) announced the passage of the Fiscal Year 2013 Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies spending bill, which would help fund an increase in Pell Grant dollars. The bill, which would increase the maximum Pell Grant by $85, boosting to $5,635 for the 2013-14 school year, which would support more than 120,000 college students in her state alone. “College is a part of the American Dream, it shouldn’t be a part of the American financial nightmare,” said Mikulski. “That’s why I will keep fighting to make access to higher education a priority in the federal law books and in the checkbook.” Mikulski also co-sponsored the Stop Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Act of 2012, which would have kept Stafford Loan rates from doubling to 6.8 percent on the July 1 deadline. The bill will head to the Senate floor for a vote, which has not been scheduled. [Political News]
UVA President Ousted by Board, Mass Condemnation Ensues. University of Virginia officials are facing widespread anger and confusion from students, staff and donors after its decision to oust president Teresa Sullivan, whom they said moved too slowly and lacked the will to cut inefficient programs at the school. Sources close to the university said that the decision to fire Sullivan had bee in the works since last October, and occurred after the two sides could not see eye-to-eye on the future of the prestigious university. UVA faculty and students, though, have spoken out in opposition to the school's decision through various no-confidence votes from faculty, and a 2,000 signature petition in opposition to the school's decision. Faculty and former board members both have defended the two-year president, saying that her record and convictions run deeper than that of many other school presidents, and that she deserved more time to accomplish her goals. "Terry is the farthest thing from a fuzzy-headed academic," said Ausin Ligon, formerly a member of the board at the school. "She mastered the way public higher education finance worked, and that was one of the strengths that led us to hire her." Sullivan also helped issue an operating budget that aimed at curbing what she called "the reputation gap", between the school's heralded undergraduate study programs, and the lackluster performance of graduate research efforts. Sullivan has yet to issue an official comment on the matter, though she has requested to meet with board members, which has been agreed upon. [The Washington Post]
Christopher Boan is a journalism intern with Campus Progress.
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