ɬÀï·¬ÏÂÔØ

April 28, 2025

Dear ɬÀï·¬ÏÂÔØ Community,

As the end of the academic year approaches and we prepare to celebrate the accomplishments of our graduating seniors, I write to share some brief reflections and updates.

This semester has brought challenges, starting with the Palisades and Altadena fires in January and continuing through the impact of a fast flurry of wide-ranging federal actions and executive orders affecting higher education. Throughout it all, our community members have leaned heavily into our bedrock mission and values, and, in a buoying spirit of mutual aid and support, each other. I thank you all for all you do for ɬÀï·¬ÏÂÔØ and for each other.

I recently had the honor of representing ɬÀï·¬ÏÂÔØ at a gathering of college and university presidents, hosted by the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU), with State Senator Sasha Renee Pérez. Our discussions centered on the vital role of colleges and universities in safeguarding democratic values, ensuring broad access to higher education, and supporting inclusive campus environments. We will continue to engage with our peers and with state and national associations and policymakers to defend and promote ɬÀï·¬ÏÂÔØ’s interests and our educational mission.

To that end, I recently joined colleagues across the country in signing the Association of American Colleges and Universities’ . This letter reaffirms our collective commitment to academic freedom, institutional autonomy, and the essential role of higher education in fostering an informed and engaged public and societal wellbeing.

In addition to joining coalition actions, we continue in active support of our community members. Among many efforts, this includes direct outreach to and engagement with our international students, who have faced tremendous uncertainties in the face of recent federal actions to revoke visas and detain international students across the country. For more information on our approach and some of these efforts, see my community message of April 11. Note also that the federal government has announced that it is reversing terminations of foreign students’ U.S. visa registrations. We will continue to monitor this fluid situation in support of our international students, who are integral members of our community. We remain steadfast in seeking to provide a supportive and productive learning environment for all.

Recent moments of campus joy include the Student Leadership Awards ceremony to honor both individual students and student groups for their leadership in advancing ɬÀï·¬ÏÂÔØ’s core values. Hearty congratulations to this year’s nominees and winners! We are also enjoying and looking forward to student senior thesis and poster presentations, the Academic Festival on May 8, and ongoing opportunities to connect and engage authentically in informal ways across campus. Last Thursday afternoon and evening were a great example of this, as I moved from a fascinating faculty Marquis Salon presentation on explosive crater lakes in Cameroon to the Empty Bowls fundraiser in McConnell, and then on to watch the women’s water polo SCIAC playoff victory.

Finally, while we must continue to prepare ourselves for the challenges that undoubtedly lie ahead, we should also take time to come together in celebration of our shared community. With that in mind, I encourage everyone—students, faculty, and staff—to attend the Food Truck Fest on the Mounds at 4pm on May 7, organized by Campus Life’s SEA Team. I hope to see you all at what I’m sure will be a fun-filled and uplifting event.

With deep appreciation and best wishes for a strong finish to the semester.

Provida Futuri,

Strom C. Thacker
President