Past/Archived Announcements

2022 – Past Announcements

UPDATE November 29:
AID APPLICATION FOR UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS: The WCSU Office of Financial Aid will be able to assist students with information and completion of the 2023-24 Aid Application for CT Undocumented Students (AACTUS). Stop byWHAT YOU’LL NEED:
- 2021 Federal Tax Return
- 2021 W-2 Forms or Year End Paystub
- 2021 Untaxed Income Records
- Current Bank Statements
- Current Business & Investment Records
Supported by WCSU Beyond Borders, WCSU UndocuAlly Taskforce & CT Students for a Dream
UPDATE September 22, 2022:
HUMAN RIGHTS AND POPULAR EDUCATION IN EL SALVADOR: Come join us in White Hall 314 from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. as WCSU Beyond Borders and the UndocuAlly Task Force host U.S.-El Salvador Sister Cities for a two-part workshop on Human Rights and Popular Education in El Salvador! Please RSVP to Carina Bandhauer bandhauerc@wcsu.edu
UPDATE March 30, 2022:
There are undocumented students and students from mixed-status families in every program, major and course on the campuses at Western Connecticut State University (“WCSU”). Fairfield County is home to over half of the undocumented population in the State of Connecticut. The WCSU Undocu-Ally Task Force is aimed at creating awareness on our WCSU campuses. Making sure that WCSU has overall representation from the various schools on the Task Force can better meet our students is crucial.

Please join us at two (2) upcoming virtual information sessions:

Wednesday, March 30at 3:30 to 5 p.m.

Monday April 18at 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Please click here to view the web poster. All are welcome and may register for either session using this link: bit.ly/undocually2022.

The link on the WOW is here: https://www.wcsu.edu/wow/event/undocually-tf-info-session/

UPDATE March 28, 2022:
Danbury Defending Public Education is gathering on April 5, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. because that day, prior to the Danbury City Council meeting, the Danbury Mayor will present his City Budget to City Council. We need to make sure our Danbury elected officials know – we expect you to prioritize public education in the City Budget and fully fund public education in Danbury!

Danbury Defending Public Education

Tuesday, April 5, 2022, 6:30 p.m.

City Hall – 155 Deerhill Ave

Join us to support a fully funded education budget at the City Council

What does a budget that meets the needs of our students mean?

- REAL solutions to deal with the overcrowding in Danbury schools – that means thoughtful financial planning for the Career Academy which is already underway, a plan to reduce overcrowding in 3 years, and development of new school buildings for the elementary and middle school levels.
- Support for our students as they return to school in the middle of a pandemic – funding which allows the schools to hire more social workers, guidance counselors, reading and math coaches, ELL instructions, and special education staff.
UPDATE March 7, 2022:
SACRIFICING FAMILIES: NAVIGATING LAWS, LABOR AND LOVE ACROSS BORDERS: The Social Sciences Speakers series in conjunction with the Kathwari Honors Program, WCSU International Center, UndocuAlly Task Force and the Racial Justice Coalition will host Dr. Leisy Ábrego, Professor and Chair of Chicana/o and Central American Studies at UCLA, for a 5:30 p.m. virtual discussion about “Sacrificing Families: Navigating Laws, Labor and Love Across Borders.” The public is invited. For any questions, send an email to Carina Bandhauer at bandhauerc@wcsu.edu. Register for the discussion at https://wcsu.webex.com/webappng/sites/wcsu/meeting/info/d37d9db798f645d49256b96389d1a0ac?isPopupRegisterView=true
UPDATE February 14, 2022:
WOMEN, MIGRATION AND DOMESTIC WORK: The Social Sciences Speakers series in conjunction with the Kathwari Honors Program, WCSU International Center, UndocuAlly Task Force and the Racial Justice Coalition will host USC Professor of Sociology and Gender Studies Dr. Rhacel Salazar Parreñas for a 5:30 p.m. virtual discussion about “Women, Migration and Domestic Work.” The public is invited. For any questions, send an email to Carina Bandhauer at bandhauerc@wcsu.edu. Join the discussion at https://wcsu.webex.com/webappng/sites/wcsu/meeting/info/316276d779ed4b6fad3efc029a85a67d?isPopupRegisterView=true

2021 – Past Announcements

UPDATE May 4, 2021:
UPDATES ON IMMIGRATION LAW: As part of the Undocumented Migration Speakers Series, the Department of Social Sciences will host Attorney Meredith Bloch for a discussion about “Updates on Immigration Law” at 5:30 p.m. via WebEx. PRE-REGISTER by sending an email to bandhauerc@wcsu.edu with the subject line “Undocumented Event” at least one hour prior to the event. This event is open to the WCSU campus community only.
UPDATE April 27, 2021:
IMMIGRANT RIGHTS: As part of the Undocumented Migration Speakers Series, the Department of Social Sciences will host Connecticut Students for a Dream for a discussion about “Immigrant Rights” at 5:30 p.m. via WebEx. PRE-REGISTER by sending an email to bandhauerc@wcsu.edu with the subject line “Undocumented Event” at least one hour prior to the event. This event is open to the WCSU campus community only.
UPDATE April 13, 2021:
MEXICAN LABOR AND THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF ILLEGALITY: As part of the Undocumented Migration Speakers Series, the Department of Social Sciences will host San Diego City College Professor of Sociology Dr. J. Akers Chacón for a discussion about “Mexican Labor and the Political Economy of Illegality” at 5:30 p.m. via WebEx. PRE-REGISTER by sending an email to bandhauerc@wcsu.edu with the subject line “Undocumented Event” at least one hour prior to the event. This event is open to the WCSU campus community only.
UPDATE April 6, 2021:
UNDOCUMENTED FAMILIES: As part of the Undocumented Migration Speakers Series, the Department of Social Sciences will host SUNY Albany Professor of Sociology Dr. Joanna Dreby for a discussion about “Undocumented Families” at 5:30 p.m. via WebEx. PRE-REGISTER by sending an email to bandhauerc@wcsu.edu with the subject line “Undocumented Event” at least one hour prior to the event. This event is open to the WCSU campus community only.
UPDATE March 16, 2021:
THE IMPACTS OF NEOLIBERALISM ON EL SALVADOR: LIVE VIDEO CONFERENCE: Explore recent research, law and lived experiences regarding undocumented migration.Sponsors include the Kathwari Honors Program, the Department of Social Sciences, the UndocuAlly Task Force, WCSU Beyond Borders and the Western International Center.Join the live video conference call from 5:30 to 7 p.m. on Zoom. PRE-REGISTER AT LEAST ONE HOUR IN ADVANCE. https://wcsu-edu.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYqdOmoqjoiHdSMap3FV2UT-66sBRDCfHt7This event is open to the WCSU campus community only. To obtain login information, send an email to bandhauerc@wcsu.edu with the subject line “El Salvador” at least one hour prior to the event.
UPDATE February 17, 2021:
RACIAL JUSTICE PART II: WRONGFULLY IMPRISONED: Exoneree Fernando Bermudez and his spouse, Crystal Bermudez, will discuss their experiences at 12:30 p.m. via Webex during a Department of Social Sciences Social Hour – a monthly brown bag, with the UndocuAlly Task Force and the Racial Justice Coalition.Bermudez spent 18 years in prison for a crime he did not commit. Members of the campus community are invited to hear his powerful story and the PTSD experienced since being exonerated in 2009. For more information on this story, please click the provided link: www.representjustice.org/speakers/fernando-bermudez/. For the link to join, send an email to bandhauerc@wcsu.edu.The event is a part of the Social Sciences brown bad lunch series and sponsored by the WCSU Alumni Association, Racial Justice Coalition, and the UndocuAlly Task Force.

2020 – Past Announcements

UPDATE November 5, 2020:
LIVE FROM EL SALVADOR: POPULAR EDUCATION WORKSHOP: DEFUNDING THE WORLD’S POLICE: ENDING POLICE BRUTALITY THROUGH INTERNATIONAL SOLIDARITY: The university community is invited to attend this virtual WebEx workshop from 5:30 to 7 p.m., sponsored by Western Without Boarders, the UnDocuAlly Task Force, and the Department of Social Sciences. To sign up, please email bandhauerc@wcsu.edu.
UPDATE February 11, 2020:
Connecticut Students 4 A Dream (“C4D”), in conjunction with the WCSU Undocu-Ally Taskforce and members of the Office of Financial Aid, have scheduled workshop to offer more information about the Institutional aid (AACTUS) application process for any one interested in learning more about this opportunity. The workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, February 19, 2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., in Room 229, Warner Hall Building, WCSU Midtown Campus. The information session will give participants direct access to staff from the financial aid offices who will be there to help undocumented students complete their forms and answer any questions. To view flyers and/or learn more, please click here to view the Financial Aid Resources page.

WCSU Institutitonal Aid Application (AACTUS) Workshop

Wednesday, February 19, 2020, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Western Connecticut State University

Midtown Campus, Warner Hall Building, Room 225

181 White Street, Danbury, CT

Application for institutional financial aid for undocumented students are now available on CSCU’s website. Please visit the Financial Aid Resources for more details on the institutional aid process at Western Connecticut State University.

Please note that The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. This means that information you provide to us to process is private and protected under the law.

2019 – Past Announcements

UPDATE November 13, 2019:
On Monday, November 18, 2019, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., on the Fairfield Lawn in the Midtown Campus, Western Beyond Borders will be holding a walk out titled, Walk Out for Immigrant Rights! There will be many speakers and events happening on the Fairfield Lawn.

This event is to create a space to stand in solidarity with undocumented immigrants everywhere for many reasons. One of the big reasons being the fate of DACA. As some of you may or may not know the fate of DACA is now in the hands of the Supreme Court. Hundreds of thousands of people could lose their homes, their livelihoods, and their families. On November 12th, the Supreme Court began to hear oral arguments in lawsuits demanding the Trump administration preserve DACA, which Trump tried to kill in 2017. Many immigrants with DACA and allied supporters have led a 16-day march from New York to Washington, D.C., to pressure the Supreme Court to save the program with #NotOneMoreDeportation and#HomeisHere. Please help support this cause and attend this important event. For more information, please contact Doris Cordova, President for the WESTCONN Without Borders Student Club, by email at cordova006@wcsu.edu.

UPDATE November 1, 2019:
On Tuesday, November 12, 2019, Western Beyond Borders members will wear #HomeisHere shirts in support and solidarity of the amicus brief to be heard by the United States Supreme Court on this date. Either for more information and/or If you wish to obtain a #HomeisHere shirt, please contact the club advisor, Professor Lorraine Moya Salas, by email at salasl@wcsu.edu or by phone at (203) 837-8779.
UPDATE October 16, 2019:
Connecticut Students 4 A Dream (“C4D”), in conjunction with the WCSU Undocu-Ally Taskforce and members of the Office of Financial Aid, have scheduled workshop to offer more information about the Institutional aid (AACTUS) application process for any one interested in learning more about this opportunity. The workshop is scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2019 from 2:00 p.m. to 5;00 p.m., in Room 127, White Hall Building, WCSU Midtown Campus. The information session will give participants direct access to staff from the financial aid offices who will be there to help undocumented students complete their forms and answer any questions. To view flyers and/or learn more, please click here to view the Financial Aid Resources page.

WCSU Institutitonal Aid Application (AACTUS) Workshop

Thursday, October 24, 2019, 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Western Connecticut State University

Midtown Campus, White Hall Building, Room 127

181 White Street, Danbury, CT

www.facebook.com/events/1364973040323301

REGISTER 👉 bit.ly/AACTUSC4Dworkshop
UPDATE September 20, 2019:
Application for institutional financial aid for undocumented students are now available on CSCU’s website. Please visit the Financial Aid Resources for more details on the institutional aid process at Western Connecticut State University.
UPDATE May 30, 2019:
Connecticut Students 4 A Dream (“C4D”) have scheduled a Youth Power Summit as an all-day conference led by and for youth with the goal to educate young people about the power of their voices. We believe young people have the power to create change in their communities. The Youth Power Summit is scheduled for Saturday, June 1, 2019, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., at Danbury High School, 43 Clapboard Ridge Road, Danbury, Connecticut.

REGISTER HERE 👉 bit.ly/YPS19

Transportation, Translation (for Spanish) Food, & Fun will all be provided!
UPDATE March 5, 2019:
Connecticut Students 4 A Dream (“C4D”) are asking members of the university community for assistance with submitted testimony and advocacy on the following bills:
- SB992: An Act Concerning the TRUST: Would will limit communication between local police and federal immigration agencies. Would update Connecticut’s TRUST Act to further protect Connecticut residents from the rogue actions of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- SB948: The 364 Day Misdemeanor Sentencing Reform Bill: would reduce the maximum length of all misdemeanor convictions in Connecticut to from 365 days to 364 days in order to limit harmful immigration consequences for Connecticut’s immigrants.

If you’re interested in supporting these two bills, please find two testimony templates that you can personalize and submit via email. To submit testimony via email, please send to JUDtestimony@cga.ct.gov in PDF format, with subject line: “Bill# YOUR NAME”. Click on the Template Testimony for TRUST Act, and the Template Testimony for 364 Misdemeanor Bill to create a personalized testimony.

UPDATE January 9, 2019:
The WCSU UndocuAlly Taskforce and The Office of Diversity & Equity are hosting the first ever UndocuPeer Training on Monday, January 14, 2019, from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Midtown Student Center, Room 201 (Student Center, 2nd Floor). Please join us and spread the word to other staff and faculty who may be interested.What is the UndocuPeer Training?The UndocuPeers: Liberating Campus Climate training is an interactive certification program for staff and faculty that increases the educational success of undocumented immigrant students by empowering and training educators. Developed by undocumented students, UndocuPeers provides the necessary tools to begin or continue conversations on how to better support and work alongside undocumented students.This program is centered on professional development and provides a space to streamline departmental resources across educational institutions. UndocuPeers is a research-tested training with its effectiveness determined by surveys taken by participants. Upon your attendance, you’ll learn the following: (1) Learn how to interact and be conscious of undocumented immigrant students in the workplace, classroom, etc.; (2) Learn how you can support undocumented and immigrant students in your classrooms and offices; and (3) Earn a completion certificate and receive additional diversity training. We recommend attendance for staff that works directly with students on campus, faculty and professors, and administrators. To register, please click the link here. ** Space is limited **

2018 – Past Announcements

UPDATE November 20, 2018:
WestConn Without Borders, a new student club on campus is co-sponsoring a “Spirituality With or Without Religion” event as a part of the WCSU Holiday Celebrations Around the World program that is hosted by the Office of Intercultural Affairs. The event will take place on Saturday, December 1, 2018, at 5:00 p.m., in the Westside Campus Center Ballroom, and a reception will be held following the event at 6:30 p.m. The program is free and open to the public! The keynote speaker will be Mr. Benjamin Teixeira de Aguiar, a United Nation’s Lecturer and Founding President of the Quantum Leap Institute, a NGO detached from any formal religious movement, established in 1988, with the main purpose of promoting the ideals of happiness, peace, and universal fraternity. The Quantum Leap Institute has a Special Consultative Status within UN’s Economic and Social Council (“ECOSOC”), allowing it 10-voting seats within the United Nations. Benjamin holds yearly lectures in New York City at the United Nations and/or The Freedom Tower, focused on the defense and development of essential spiritual principles for the consolidation of peace in the world, solidarity amongst people, and the integral evolution of humanity. This year, we have the honor of hosting this lecture at WCSU! Benjamin will bring these ideas and principles to WCSU in order to promote the concept of being spiritual with or without organized religion. Please click here to view the noted flyer for the event and also click here to view a biography of Benjamin Teixeira de Aguiar. As a club, actively promoting inclusion, understanding, and acceptance, we appreciate your support in attending this event.
UPDATE November 14, 2018:
WestConn Beyond Borders, a new student club on campus that is dedicated to breaking down “borders” that confine and label people, creating a space of inclusion, acceptance, and community is hosting a training session on campus on Monday, November 26^th, 2018 from 4:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m. in Midtown Student Center (MTSC) Room 201. This training is open to all WCSU students and graduates! The training is geared around educating student leaders on how to interact and be conscious of undocumented students in the workplace, classroom, etc. Usually, this event is traditionally for faculty, however Connecticut Students for a Dream (“C4D”) is altering the program to fit college students and professionals in the workplace. A certificate of completion will be provided after the three hour training making this is a great resume builder! Please click here to view the noted flyer for the event. To sign up, please refer to the link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70A0B4CA8A723A7FA7-training. There are only 50 slots available, so students should sign up quickly to ensure their spot!
UPDATE June
qualify someone must be an immigrant or from an immigrant family, and must be from “fairfield county area”. Finalists in each category get tickets to a fancy gala, and winners get a $2,000 scholarship. Nominations are due June 15, 2018. Nominate any students that you know who need a scholarship! Please click here for more information and/or to obtain the nomination form.
UPDATE May 22, 2018:
Connecticut Students 4 A Dream (C4D) has introduced a Summer Program for aspiring youth organizers interested in advocacy work. The C4D “Youth Organizing in Action” Summer Program offers participants with an opportunity to learn how one participant can make a difference and learning more about leadership skills. Registration is open, but spaces are limited. Please click here for more information about the program and how to register.
UPDATE April 25, 2018:
The House passed AN ACT ASSISTING STUDENTS WITHOUT LEGAL IMMIGRATION STATUS WITH THE COST OF COLLEGE, in concurrence with the Senate. The bill was immediately transmitted to the Governor for signature. This is a true victory for many who have worked tirelessly to offer undocumented students equal access to educational resources in the state. Wait a go!
UPDATE April 23, 2018:
Connecticut Student’s For A Dream is hiring for a full time Communications and Development Manager to join the C4D Team. If you are interested, please review the linked posting for details and how to apply.
UPDATE April 20, 2018:
The University’s Undocu-Ally Taskforce sent a letter of support to state legislators to request support for undocumented students. Please click here to view the letter sent.
The Center for Children’s Advocacy will be hosting an immigration forum/event called “From Aspirations to Achievement” on Wednesday, April 4, 2018, from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m., at Eastern Connecticut State University, Betty Tipton Room. For more information about the event. please click here for details. Members of C4D will be participating and providing information about barriers to achievement for immigrant youth and community organizing.
UPDATE March 1, 2018:
Please attend the upcoming C4D statewide meeting on Saturday, March 10, 2018, from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., at the Centra Civico, 20 West Street, Danbury – C4D Statewide Meeting – #AffordToDream – Facebook Event. Meet youth from around the state, Food and beverages will be provided. Please review the attached event flyer for more details.
UPDATE February 18, 2018:
“Supporting Undocumented Students: Lessons from Berkeley”Event on Thursday, March 1, 2018, from 1:00 – 2:00 PM at the Harvard School of Public Health.GUEST SPEAKER: Meng So is a Bay Area based educator, strategist, and community organizer. As a Cambodian refugee, he’s always felt a deep commitment towards issues of immigration, political identity, and educational equity. He is the founder and director of the Undocumented Student Program at UC Berkeley, coordinating efforts to initiate and enact a comprehensive agenda that responds to the needs of first-generation, low-income, undocumented students. The program has quickly emerged as embodying best practices of support that are now being replicated at other universities in California and nationwide. Today, Meng serves on the University of California Presidential Task Force on Undocumented Students, and the Leadership Board of Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC). He is a Rockwood Immigrant Rights Fellow for a New California and lends his voice to national efforts to advocate for comprehensive immigration reform. He believes in the power community coalition building through radical love, storytelling, soul-hugging. WHY YOU SHOULD JOIN: Hear about the Undocumented Student Program’s genesis and his perspective on creating institutional support for undocumented students. RSVP NOW — Lunch provided to attendees: https://harvard.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_54uJGx1lZwLGw3b
UPDATE February 18, 2018:
WCSU Student Government Association (SGA) is hosting a Town Hall Meeting on Wednesday, February 28, 2018 at 3:30 p.m., in the Midtown Student Center Theater. There will be a live presentation by members of Connecticut Students For a Dream (C4D) and panel discussion to follow. Refreshments will be served. Please click here to view the SGA flyer.
On Monday, February 26, 2018, the Supreme Court has refused to make a decision about the injunction reopening DACA. This means that USCIS will continue to accept DACA renewals. No new applications will be accepted to the program which is unfortunate; but renewals will continue to be accepted. As a reminder, CT Students for a Dream is once again able to offer scholarships for students who are looking to renew their DACA to cover the $495.00 fee that is associated with renewing. Here is the link that students can use to fill out a scholarship application – www.bit.ly/CTDACAScholarship2018. You can find more information here as well: http://bit.ly/dacatpsdreamjan2018edu.
UPDATE February 13, 2018: News feed on CT Dreamers testimony to the Legislative Higher Education Committee on equal access of financial aid for undocumented students.
UPDATE January 25, 2018: Open Letter to Congress regarding DACA from President Mark Ojakian
UPDATE January 24, 2018: News feed on community forum held at WCSU and organized by Republican Elizabeth Esty, The forum was attended by members of the WCSU community to discuss the DREAM Act, immigration, DACA and related issues at the federal level.
UPDATE January 5, 2018: The Immigration Detention and DACA (IDD) Clinic at UConn Law School is offering legal consultations for people who have lost, or will be losing, protection they previously had under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status (TPS) programs. The consultations will provide advice on possible immigration avenues, and assistance on DACA renewal for those who qualify, but the IDD Clinic is generally not equipped to provide further representation. The consultations will be performed by teams of law student interns under the supervision of an experienced attorney. Consultations and any other services will be free of charge (except for potential filing fees) and will likely require two or more meetings at the UConn Law School in Hartford. If you would like a consultation with the IDD Clinic, please contact Jon Bauer, at jon.bauer@uconn.edu or 860-570-5205, or Anna Cabot, at anna.cabot@uconn.edu or 860-570-5460.
UPDATE January 1, 2018: CT Students For A Dream Update on TPS, DACA & DREAM Act

2017 – Past Announcements

On April 13, 2017, the College Presidents of all 17 Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) sent a collective letter to President Trump requesting his support for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.’
On March 28, 2017, the Office of Governor Dannel Malloy released a Family Preparedness Plan Toolkit. The toolkits can be found in English and Spanish.
On September 13, 2017, CSCU presented a resource page to frame the CSCU position clearly and provide access to external information that may be helpful. The CSCU page is preliminary, and we will continue to add information as it becomes available.

US LABOR MIGRATION: POLITICS AND POLICY: Attorney Daniel Costa, director of Immigration Law and Policy Research at the Economic Policy Institute, will discuss “U.S. Labor Migration: Politics and Policy” on November 6, 2017, at 6 p.m. in Ives Concert Hall in White Hall on the WCSU Midtown campus, 181 White St. in Danbury. Labor migration — the movement of persons from one country to another for the purposes of employment — is a complex and often controversial issue in most countries. Costa will offer a background on the basics of the U.S. labor migration systems, including the various pathways through which migrants enter the U.S. labor market, and explore key themes within the context of what a fair immigration system should look like. The talk will be free and the public is invited. It is funded by a grant from The Macricostas Family Arts & Sciences Endowed Speaker Series. For more information, visit www.wcsu.edu/news/2017/10/19/macricostas-lectures-bring-immigration-and-greek-history-to-wcsu/