As a UF student, I remained puzzled as to why, after more than a year of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals being in existence, the university has not acted on implementing it at the university.
Florida International University took the lead this past June when its Board of Trustees decided to implement partial tuition waivers for undocumented students who met the requirements of DACA.
UF, as the flagship university, should validate that title by following suit and not simply waiting for our state House and Senate to take the lead, since they have shown in previous years that in matters concerning education they aren’t progressive with constant cuts to the university being leveled by the Florida Congress in the past decade.
I want to be at a university that is as inclusive as possible and welcomes the most marginalized of our state. Young people who came to this country at no fault of their own shouldn’t be prevented from achieving a quality education and actualizing their potential. Immigrants both documented and undocumented make huge unquantifiable contributions to our society and deserve to have access to in-state tuition.
By not allowing this opportunity provided through DACA, the university is closing its doors to some of the best and brightest minds in the state.
Students of UF: If you believe in equality and justice and want tuition equity for students, plug yourself into UF Students for a Democratic Society’s ongoing campaign to get the Board of Trustees to implement DACA at UF and allow qualified undocumented students to pay in-state tuition.
Enact the change you wish to see with struggle!
Come join us.
Get involved in the campaign!
UF Students for a Democratic Society meets Mondays at 6:30 p.m. in Anderson Hall, Room 32.
This letter to the editor ran on page 7 on 10/7/2013 under the headline "UF needs to follow suit and implement DACA"
