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International students’ visas have been revoked, MSU says
Michigan State University has confirmed that some of its international students have had their visas revoked by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. The university is working with affected students to provide support, according to a spokesperson.
This move is part of a broader trend under the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on immigration. Several universities, including Central Michigan, University of Michigan, and Grand Valley State, have reported similar incidents where student visas were revoked, sometimes without prior notice.
Traditionally, student visas are revoked for reasons like academic failure or violations of visa rules. However, recent terminations appear to be targeting students suspected of involvement in pro-Palestinian protests.
When a student’s visa is revoked, they must leave the U.S. immediately, with federal agents monitoring their departure. MSU, which has nearly 5,000 international students, is monitoring the situation and will contact students if their visa records are impacted.
MSU board to vote on ‘transformational’ Spartan Gateway District project
The Michigan State University Board of Trustees will vote on a major development project at its April 11 meeting. The proposed “Spartan Gateway District” aims to transform approximately 14 acres at the southwest corner of campus, near South Harrison Road and Trowbridge Road. The project will include restaurants, retail shops, office space, a hotel, and a 6,000-seat Olympic sports arena.
The arena will host MSU’s women’s volleyball, gymnastics, and men’s wrestling teams, and also serve as a venue for concerts and campus events. Construction is expected to be completed by late 2027, with the hotel and parking facilities ready by mid-2028. Retail, office space, and market-rate housing are slated for completion by 2030. Plans also include a potential academic or healthcare building, though the purpose is still undecided.
Additionally, the board will vote on rescinding a redundant policy regarding student conduct during riots. The existing policy overlaps with other university rules and state laws, and the board believes it’s unnecessary to restate First Amendment protections, as federal law already covers them.
Another vote will focus on modifying the timeline for evaluating the university president’s performance by removing a requirement for a September report.
A vote on the demolition of Intramural Recreational Sports West, the campus’s oldest gym, is not included in this meeting’s agenda. The board had previously delayed the vote amid concerns from some trustees.
DEI scholarships being carefully offered in College of Arts and Letters
Michigan State University’s College of Arts and Letters is offering donor-funded grants to student organizations for projects that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). The funding is available to support student-led initiatives that aim to enhance DEI on campus. This scholarship was made possible by an anonymous donor.
Eligible student organizations are those primarily aimed at College of Arts and Letters students or facilitated by a college unit. The announcement, made by Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies and Administration Sonja Fritzsche, clarifies that the funding is designed to comply with federal anti-discrimination laws, which have been a point of contention in recent months.
To ensure compliance with federal guidelines, the college specifies that no preference will be given to applicants based on race, religion, nationality, or other protected identities. Any group receiving funding must explicitly state that participation in their activities is open to all students, regardless of background. If an organization’s name is associated with a protected identity, it must make clear that all students have equal opportunity to participate.
This move comes as the U.S. Department of Education investigates several universities, including the University of Michigan, for race-based exclusionary practices in their DEI programs. While Michigan has cut back on many of its DEI initiatives, MSU has not made similar cuts and continues to affirm its commitment to diversity and inclusion. The university’s 2021 strategic plan emphasizes its goal to become a national leader in promoting diversity and equity both on campus and beyond.
Based on original reporting by Emilio Perez Ibarguen.