In support of a fair and dignified resolution for an international graduate student at Tufts University.

WHEREAS: The City of Somerville recognizes the important contributions that international students, scholars, researchers, and workers make to our community, our institutions of higher education, and our Commonwealth; and WHEREAS: Tufts University is an important educational and economic institution in the City of Somerville and has a responsibility to uphold principles of fairness, academic integrity, due process, and respect for all members of its community; and WHEREAS: An international graduate student at Tufts University has experienced significant hardship arising from a dispute concerning her academic standing and the circumstances surrounding the termination of her program; and WHEREAS: The Medford City Council previously adopted a resolution expressing concern about the treatment of this student and calling upon Tufts University to address the circumstances surrounding her case; and WHEREAS: Since the adoption of that resolution, circumstances have changed, and the appropriate path forward is not to seek the student's reinstatement at Tufts University, but rather to ensure that the student has the best possible opportunity to move forward with her education and career; and WHEREAS: Allegations have been raised that grades were changed in retaliation for the student's exercise of her rights and advocacy concerning her treatment, and that these changes have the potential to cause continuing and significant harm to her academic and professional future; and WHEREAS: The preservation of retaliatory or otherwise improperly altered grades on a student's academic transcript can create lasting barriers to further education, employment, professional advancement, and immigration-related opportunities; and WHEREAS: The student has also experienced significant financial hardship as a result of the circumstances surrounding her case, making appropriate financial compensation an important component of a meaningful resolution; and WHEREAS: A fair resolution should seek not only to address past harm, but also to give the affected student the best possible chance to continue her education and career with dignity, free from unnecessary and continuing consequences arising from the dispute; and WHEREAS: Somerville believes that institutions of higher education must be accountable for ensuring that students are treated fairly and that academic records are maintained with integrity and without retaliation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council urges Tufts University to work toward a fair and comprehensive resolution of this matter that will allow the affected international graduate student to move forward with her education and career with dignity; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council calls upon Tufts University to review and, where appropriate, remove or correct from the student's academic transcript any grades that were changed as a form of retaliation or otherwise improperly altered in connection with this dispute; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council urges Tufts University to provide appropriate financial compensation for the significant financial hardship and losses the student has experienced as a result of the circumstances surrounding this matter; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council encourages Tufts University to engage in a constructive process with the affected student and her representatives to reach a resolution that addresses both the academic and financial consequences of this matter; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the City Clerk is directed to transmit a copy of this resolution to the President of Tufts University, the Tufts University Board of Trustees, and other appropriate university officials; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: That the Somerville City Council reaffirms its commitment to protecting the rights and dignity of international students and to ensuring that students who raise legitimate concerns about their treatment do not face retaliation or lasting academic and professional consequences for doing so.