A Wisconsin university instructed faculty to relax academic standards and extend deadlines for students identified as illegal aliens experiencing immigration-related stress. The internal guidance directs professors to show flexibility in grading and coursework policies. The policy has sparked debate over fairness and academic integrity in higher education.
Viterbo University circulated a memo advising instructors to consider lowering expectations and granting deadline extensions for students without lawful immigration status. The document cites “immigration-related stressors” as justification for academic leniency. Faculty were encouraged to provide flexibility when court dates, legal uncertainty, or family concerns interfere with coursework.
The guidance recommends avoiding penalties for missed assignments tied to immigration challenges. Administrators urged professors to respond with empathy and to work individually with affected students to help them complete their studies. The memo frames the policy as consistent with the university’s Catholic mission of supporting vulnerable populations.
Critics argue that adjusting standards based on immigration status creates unequal treatment in the classroom. Education advocates say academic expectations should remain consistent for all students, regardless of background. They warn that lowering requirements risks undermining merit-based evaluation and academic credibility.
Supporters counter that undocumented students face unique pressures beyond the classroom. They point to legal complexities and personal instability that can disrupt academic performance. Some institutions already provide deadline flexibility for students facing medical or personal emergencies, though immigration-specific guidance is less common.
Campus Reform obtained and published excerpts of the memo. The university has not issued a broader public statement clarifying whether the policy applies campus-wide or how long it will remain in effect.
The situation reflects ongoing national debates over immigration policy and the role of universities in addressing social and political challenges.
