UNF’s provost Simon Rhodes released a statement Friday regarding the status of the international students’ ability to continue taking classes in the fall.

Rhodes released the statement in response to the Trump administration’s announcement that international students attending U.S. colleges on visas will not be allowed to stay in the country if they are taking all-online classes.

“The International Center is working closely with our international Ospreys and various academic partners to prevent a disruption in their program of study, meet the new regulations requirements, and ensure that our international Ospreys feel safe and supported,” the statement said.

The president’s announcement put schools in a difficult situation, forcing in-person classes with the Coronavirus sweeping through the country.

The policy immediately received blowback. Since the announcement last Monday, 17 states and several higher education institutions including Harvard and M.I.T. filed lawsuits against the administration.

With classes just weeks away, many international students are now uncertain about their future, especially with the chance that schools may be forced to close if campuses fail to control the spread of the virus. According to the policy change, students will not be exempt if something like this occurs.

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