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EDITORIAL: Listen to the sound of Music: A social justice opportunity
Editorial | 3/18/08
Posted online at 2:04 AM EST on 3/18/08
One of the basic tenants of social justice is that one should fight for what is right even if the odds of success are not great. Yet, Brandeis' policy of only endorsing green card applications of tenure-track faculty or senior staffers represents a passive surrender to bureaucratic slumber and conventional wisdom.
This is especially troubling when taking an active stance holds no potential harms for the University and when other neighboring universities have, in the past, succeeded in advocating on behalf of staff.
Hiatt Career Center's Assistant Director of Experiential Programs Rusmir Music faces potential deportation due to a lack of support on the part of the University. Rusmir has been a resident of the United States since the age of 17 and a member of the Brandeis community since 2003.
In his time here, Rusmir has impacted the lives of many and contributed to the development of challenging and fascinating experiential learning opportunities for students. Rusmir is an ideal example of the type of employee that could potentially succeed in his attempt for a work visa.
Still, the University has so far declined to act in support of Music. But this refusal extends beyond the case of a single employee. University policy now dictates that the institution will intervene in immigration disputes only for tenure-track faculty and senior staff, leaving junior faculty and staff to fend for themselves.
By adhering to rigid policies of which employees are often unaware until issues arise, our institution has turned a blind eye to the social and human impact of its actions. It assumes that because success for an employee green card application is unlikely, any support is a wasted expenditure of the University's resources and reputation. Moreover, this decision is made mechanically and without regard for the potential benefits certain faculty and staff can bring the school through their continued employment.
What is striking about the University's immigration policy is that providing support for green card applicants involves no risk whatsoever.
This is especially troubling when taking an active stance holds no potential harms for the University and when other neighboring universities have, in the past, succeeded in advocating on behalf of staff.
Hiatt Career Center's Assistant Director of Experiential Programs Rusmir Music faces potential deportation due to a lack of support on the part of the University. Rusmir has been a resident of the United States since the age of 17 and a member of the Brandeis community since 2003.
In his time here, Rusmir has impacted the lives of many and contributed to the development of challenging and fascinating experiential learning opportunities for students. Rusmir is an ideal example of the type of employee that could potentially succeed in his attempt for a work visa.
Still, the University has so far declined to act in support of Music. But this refusal extends beyond the case of a single employee. University policy now dictates that the institution will intervene in immigration disputes only for tenure-track faculty and senior staff, leaving junior faculty and staff to fend for themselves.
By adhering to rigid policies of which employees are often unaware until issues arise, our institution has turned a blind eye to the social and human impact of its actions. It assumes that because success for an employee green card application is unlikely, any support is a wasted expenditure of the University's resources and reputation. Moreover, this decision is made mechanically and without regard for the potential benefits certain faculty and staff can bring the school through their continued employment.
What is striking about the University's immigration policy is that providing support for green card applicants involves no risk whatsoever.
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