Task Force Members
- Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko, Graduate College, Co-chair
- Colleen Murphy, Illinois International, Co-Chair
- Milan K. Bagchi, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Daniel Bodony, Grainger College of Engineering
- Danita Brown-Young, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs
- Melissa Edwards, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation
- Margareth Etienne, College of Law
- Gioconda Guerra Pérez, Office of Access, Civil Rights & Community
- Kristi Kuntz, Undergraduate Education
- Martin McFarlane, Illinois International
- Ravi Mehta, Gies College of Business
- Mariselle Meléndez, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Shari Mickey-Boggs, Illinois Human Resources
- Nolan Miller, Gies College of Business
- Bob Roach, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation
- Marta Schneider, Illinois International
- Gisela Sin, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences
- Elizabeth Spark, Graduate College
- Heather Stout, Disability Resources & Educational Services
- Pat Wade, Strategic Communications and Marketing
Charge Letter
Dear Colleagues,
Thank you for agreeing to serve on the Task Force on Duration of Status (D/S) Planning and Coordination, an ad hoc task force charged with providing strategic guidance and recommendations regarding the potential institutional implications of anticipated federal changes affecting international student and scholar immigration regulations, including the proposed replacement of Duration of Status with fixed periods of admission.
The work of this task force is especially important given the central role international students and scholars play in the academic, research, teaching, and public engagement missions of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. While the proposed federal changes are immigration-related, their potential implications extend well beyond compliance matters and may affect student and scholar support; academic operations; undergraduate, graduate, and professional education; research continuity; institutional competitiveness; and broader university planning.
Because many aspects of the federal proposals remain uncertain and may continue to evolve through future guidance, litigation, or administrative action, the university must approach this work thoughtfully and strategically. At the same time, it is important that Illinois begin coordinated planning now to avoid reactive decision-making later. Moreover, while targeting international students and scholars, the draft provisions reflect broader calls to decrease the time to degree for all students and come amidst concerns about the adequacy of existing educational models given the flexibility contemporary students demand and rise of AI.
This task force will provide input and advice to guide the university in the following areas:
- Assessing Institutional and Operational Implications: What academic, operational, administrative, legal, and research-related implications should the university anticipate if proposed Duration of Status changes are implemented? Which areas may require additional planning, coordination, or policy review?
- Preserving Academic and Research Excellence: How can Illinois preserve its core commitments to academic integrity, academic freedom, educational quality, mentoring, faculty governance, and research continuity, while adapting with appropriate academic flexibility to evolving federal requirements?
- Supporting International Students and Scholars: How should the university prepare to support international students and scholars as they navigate potential changes affecting immigration timelines, academic progression, research continuity, practical training opportunities, travel, and overall wellbeing? How can the university continue to ensure that all students and scholars are treated equivalently, whatever their national origin?
- Strengthening Institutional Coordination and Communication: What forms of coordination may be needed across Illinois International, ISSS, the Graduate College, Undergraduate Education, academic units, research administration, human resources, payroll, legal counsel, and faculty governance bodies to support effective and consistent institutional planning and implementation? How can this planning be effectively communicated to diverse stakeholders across campus including administrators, faculty, staff, and students?
- Considering Long-Term Institutional and Competitive Implications: What broader implications might these developments have for international recruitment, retention, research competitiveness, global engagement, and Illinois’ position as a leading public research university, and how should Illinois respond to these implications?
- Engaging with Peer Institutions and National Organizations: How should Illinois coordinate with peer institutions and organizations such as AAU, APLU, NAFSA, CGS, and ACE to monitor developments, share emerging practices, and contribute to broader policy discussions?
Your expertise and leadership will be invaluable to this effort. The work of this task force will involve collaboration with colleagues across academic and administrative units throughout the university. We anticipate the group will meet over the summer and into the next academic year and provide strategic guidance and recommendations to the Office of the Provost as federal developments and institutional planning needs continue to evolve.
Sincerely,
John Coleman
Provost