Dear UMass Boston Administration,

I want to first apologize for the lengthy letter, but as a student of UMass Boston I am both afraid and concerned.

I am a first-generation Mexican American daughter of immigrants and a fourth-year student at UMass Boston. I want to share why I chose UMass Boston and why I am deeply concerned about the university’s silence regarding recent federal changes that may impact our campus.

I grew up in a small town in Mississippi—one you’ve probably never heard of called Collins. There wasn’t much there, and even the nearest Walmart was a 40-minute drive from my house. Growing up, my world felt small and closed off. Coming from a town of less than 2,000 people…how did I end up here?

It wasn’t the food court, even though I love the cookies there. It wasn’t because it was the only public research university in the city, nor was it because of the beautiful harborside views seen from the campus. It’s the sole fact that UMB is the third most diverse campus in the U.S.

As a former orientation leader, that was my favorite fact to share with my students. Diversity, to me, was such a privilege. Never in my 21 years on this Earth would I have ever seen myself in such a beautiful mix of cultures and people. I have met people from all over the globe, and that, to me, is the most beautiful aspect of UMass Boston.

This aspect makes this school 100 times better than Harvard or MIT. Maybe to someone from Boston or even someone from the New England area, this isn’t such an interesting fact. But I know there are so many people like me who chose UMass Boston as a gateway to access the globe without leaving the country. That is the true beauty of UMass Boston.

Those who make up the student body, faculty, and staff are why I chose UMass Boston.  At UMass Boston, I have met people from all over the world. For students like me, this university isn’t just a school; it’s an opportunity to engage with different cultures, perspectives, and lived experiences. UMass Boston is, as the school’s mission statement proudly states, “a public research university with a teaching soul”  that brings “diverse people and ideas together to seek knowledge and improve lives.” That is why I chose UMass Boston.

That is also why I am so frustrated.

With new federal regulations rolling in, I feel as though UMass Boston, the very institution that prides itself on diversity and inclusion, is not doing enough to protect the students who make this university what it is. The silence is deafening. Nearly a month has passed since the new administration took office, and yet, there has been no clear communication from leadership on how these changes might affect our student body.

Transparency is essential. Many of us are anxious about how new policies will impact our rights, our education, and our future at UMass Boston. As an institution that advertises its commitment to equity and justice, you must uphold those values, not just in words but in action. Students deserve to know what is happening and how UMass Boston plans to protect its community. UMass Boston’s mission statement says that we (should be) dedicated to “disrupting systemic racism” and “ensuring educational access and opportunity” for all students. We pledge to be an “antiracist, health-promoting public research university” that prioritizes equity. If this is truly the foundation of UMass Boston, then the students deserve to know how their rights, safety, and education are being affected.

I urge you to address this concern publicly and provide a clear response on how the university intends to navigate these changes. UMass Boston is more than just a school—it is a home for students from all walks of life. Please do not abandon the very people who make this institution what it is.