TLDR; Academic HR made an exploding offer excluding restoration of Philippe’s SEVIS, guaranteed enrollment, and funding to complete his degree to end the grievance process. We have decided to refuse this offer and move forward with a Step 3 grievance.
On May 21, we held a Step 2 grievance hearing for Philippe on the basis of Taubman’s contract violations. During the hearing, Taubman College denied any wrongdoing and claimed that they consulted with Academic HR. The college maintained that there was no documentation of the termination decision process. Last Friday, Academic HR sent an offer of remediation on behalf of Taubman College to end the grievance process, demanding a response in just one week. Up until this offer, Academic HR denied knowledge of Philippe’s case and refused opportunities to discuss how to ensure Philippe’s safety moving forward.
The offer left out extremely important provisions that would guarantee Philippe’s safety. Notably absent is a commitment to guarantee his ability to enroll, the restoration of Philippe’s legal status through a SEVIS data fix, and funding so that he may return to school. These conditions are entirely within Taubman College and U-M’s power to fulfill. Instead of considering an option that ensures Philippe will safely return to school in the fall, Taubman College and Academic HR have decided to hand him a time bomb of an offer which keeps his ability to return in the fall in question and does not address the risk of detainment in the future or protect him from ICE. This offer is not enough to keep Philippe safe.
We will be moving to a Step 3 grievance with Academic HR & Taubman to continue demanding the fulfillment of these conditions and hope HR will join us at the table in good faith to support Philippe.
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