Update as we begin the spring semester

Dear Campus Community,

As we begin the spring semester, I write to share my profound anguish about the violence that has been unleashed on our city by federal law enforcement. I understand that these circumstances are frightening. Please continue to look out for one another and seek assistance if needed.  

Our top priority at Macalester is the well-being of our students and employees. Over the last few weeks, we have taken steps to increase security measures on campus, including adding new signage in parking lots and expanded 24-7 card access to all buildings beginning the first day of class. We also arranged for campus vans to pick up returning students at MSP to avoid the risk of contact with federal agents in the rideshare lot—heartfelt thanks to all the faculty and staff members who signed up to drive shuttle shifts. Although we are not unilaterally flipping to remote learning (to avoid the risk of invalidating the visas of our international students), we have encouraged faculty to provide flexibility when possible and we encourage students to check in with their faculty about plans for the first week of classes.

I am aware of the call for a general strike tomorrow and plans for peaceful demonstrations. Please know that your First Amendment rights to freedom of expression will not be infringed by the college. 

That said, we are not currently planning to close the campus tomorrow. We have made this decision for three important reasons:

• First, the campus must remain a safe place for students who live here. That means we need staff employees to open buildings, maintain security and dining operations, and provide support to students, among other services. 
• Second, we recognize that—as a pluralistic community—there will be different points of view and varying types of legal status among our members. Each person should be guided by their own beliefs, individual needs, and personal sense of risk. 
• Finally, the moral power of civil disobedience comes from people exercising agency and accepting personal responsibility. Accordingly, the decision about whether to participate in the general strike or a demonstration should not be made by the college on behalf of students and employees.

Unrelated to the general strike, Macalester is keeping an eye on the dangerous weather conditions that are expected to begin today and continue through Saturday. If it’s determined to be unsafe for students and employees due to extreme cold temperatures, we may make a weather-related announcement later in the day.

There will be many ways to gather, to learn, and to express your values—on campus and off campus—this Friday. For members of the campus community who wish to participate in the strike but don’t want to leave the physical campus, the chapel will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with specific programs throughout the day, including: an interfaith prayer service by ISAIAH at 8:30 a.m., Ju’mah prayers and lunch, Shabbat prayers and dinner, and a Zoom check-in and reflection space in the evening. The Serie Center will hold space for faculty and staff at noon. In addition, we understand that individual faculty, departments, and some student orgs may be planning events and teach-ins. I encourage each of us to make intentional choices about how we wish to invest time and energy in the days ahead, and to extend grace to one another.  

I close by reflecting on the teachings of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who believed that moral courage is a necessary component of action for justice, and that the role of education is to provide the critical thinking and character needed to improve society.  May we all be guided by his example.

Onward,

Dr. Suzanne M. Rivera
President 

January 22, 2026