University of Southern California: Offer scholarships to Syrian students
We call on University of Southern California to provide scholarships to Syrian students for upcoming classes. We also call on USC to join the Syria Consortium and encourage other institutions to join by raising awareness about the plight of Syrian students. We also call on leaders of the international community to take action to protect school and students in Syria, by whatever means necessary.
138 supporters
200 needed
To: University of Southern California Admissions Office and Board of Trustees
Millions of Syrian high school graduates and college students are unable to pursue their dream of a college degree. Thousands of schools have been destroyed, unfairly depriving Syrian students from their right to education. Millions of Syrian students are now refugees, with no nearby school. And millions more are to afraid to go to school because a bomb could fall on the school at any time.
While host countries and the UNHCR can provide primary education to Syrian children, the young Syrian men and women pursuing a higher education face a much more difficult task. With language, logistical, and financial barriers to overcome, these students are unable to continue their education without institutional assistance.
That's why we urge universities to create scholarship opportunities specifically for Syrian students to pursue a higher education. The Syria Consortium, created by the International Institute of Education (IIE) has brought together 40 universities who commit to offer Syrian students and scholars a safe haven to continue their studies abroad. As places of academic and educational opportunity, this is the most practical way for universities to contribute humanitarian aid to the unprecedented and desperate plight of the Syrian people. But we need more universities to join this effort.
If considered, USC will be joining the Syria Consortium of the Institution for International Education along with universities such as Brown University and Colorado State University. And during one of the greatest humanitarian crises in the 21st century, the University has a unique opportunity to be on the right side of history in face of the mass violation of human rights for Syrians.
The University of Southern California accepts over 18,000 undergraduate students every year, offering many generous scholarships. As students of the University of Southern California, we think that some of the seats should go to Syrian refugees who would otherwise have no education. We are calling on USC to join the Syria Consortium organized by the IIE to offer scholarship opportunities for Syrian students. We hope that USC can be a leader to universities around the world by offering these Syrian students a second chance at getting their education.
Providing Syrian refugees with an education and a stable living space can do much to rectify the University’s image with respect to diversity issues. And considering the recent call for diversity on campus, passing this resolution could create a unique opportunity for the University to embrace and foster an evolving definition of diversity on this campus.
