UK President reassures ‘anxious’ Chinese students affected by growing US-China tensions
The University of Kentucky’s Chinese students and faculty are “understandably, feeling anxious,” wrote President Eli Capilouto in an email to the campus on Wednesday.
Citing national security concerns related to foreign government interference into academic research, a COVID-19 inspired spike in xenophobia and growing worries over potentially changing visa policies, Capilouto sought to reinforce the university’s goal of a diverse research environment.
The email came hours after the U.S. ordered the closing of the Chinese consulate in Houston, accusing the Chinese government of a nationwide pattern of espionage and theft of intellectual property.
“Concerns from the U.S. Government about foreign entities seeking to influence research, divert intellectual property and share confidential information are changing the regulatory landscape across U.S. academic institutions,” Capilouto wrote. “As the land-grant, research intensive institution of the Commonwealth, we must carefully attend to the issues at hand, and comply with reporting requirements. But it is important that we do so while continuing to welcome, engage and respect all international students, employees and visitors.”
In late May, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that barred some Chinese students from obtaining student visas. In early July, a Trump administration directive that would’ve meant deportation for international students attending universities having only online classes this fall was rescinded a little over a week after it was announced after facing intense public backlash and legal challenges.
According to university international student enrollment data, 548 Chinese students attended UK last fall. Like many other universities across the country, UK also has a Confucius Institute which facilitates student exchange programs with Chinese universities and also functions as a Chinese cultural learning center on campus.
“No one should feel they are being regarded with suspicion or excluded from a project based on their national origin,” Capilouto wrote in the email. He also referenced university guidance that encouraged international collaboration and transparency on connections among researchers to foreign entities.
“We will continue to be fair in our implementation of measures designed to ensure the proper conduct of research and disclosure of conflicts of interest and commitment,” Capilouto wrote. “And we will keep a close eye on policy developments, while steadfastly supporting our international students, faculty and scholars through the regulatory uncertainty.”