Student leaders at the University of Mississippi have tabled consideration of a resolution calling on the university to become a sanctuary for undocumented persons, Chancellor Jeffrey Vitter said in a statement.

“I am aware of the resolution drafted by a few Associated Student Body Senators and some student organization presidents calling for the university to become a sanctuary for undocumented members of our community,” Vitter said in his statement.  “Leaders from our Associated Student Body have informed us that the resolution has been pulled from (Tuesday’s) agenda and will not be discussed.”

In the statement, Vitter noted that as chancellor, “my responsibility is to administer and operate the university within applicable Federal and state laws, as well as the policies and procedures established by the Board of Trustees of Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.”

In a statement released Tuesday by the executive officers of the Associated Student Body (ASB), the organization apologized to the university community for the “circulation of incorrect information” to the public. The statement noted that the resolutions being circulated were in draft form and had not been passed by either the ASB Senate Committee on Rules or the ASB Senate.

Circulation of the resolution had prompted numerous comments on social media, including Facebook posts by some state legislators urging constituents to express their displeasure about the resolution to university officials.

“I do believe it is an important part of the educational process ­­— and central to our UM Creed — for students to discuss the difficult issues of our day, and it is equally important that all voices be a part of that healthy debate,” Vitter said in his statement. “I can assure you that we will also continue to uphold our legal responsibilities and our university policies.”


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