Navigating Federal Government Actions & Available Resources

Felician University remains steadfast in our commitment to the safety, well-being and the welfare of our entire Falcon family. We are a community guided by our values of respect for human dignity, compassion, transformation, solidarity with people in need and justice and peace.  

To maintain clarity, transparency and address the many questions about how recent executive orders and federal actions may impact the University and our community, we have created this page for you to reference and use as a resource, as we navigate these times together. 

As information becomes available and this situation continues to evolve, we will update this page and continue to send out any pertinent information through your Felician email. 

On-Campus Law Enforcement Encounter with ICE or other Federal Agents – What Should I Do?

Steps to Take When Contacted or Approached in a Publicly Accessible University Area by ICE or other Law Enforcement Agents.

Students, Faculty & Staff: 

  • Remain Calm and Professional 
    • Stay composed to avoid escalating the situation. 
  • Request Identification and Documentation 
    • Politely ask for the officer’s: 
    • Name and identification number. 
    • Agency affiliation. 
  • Direct Agents to the Appropriate Contact 
    • Inform the officer that you are not obstructing their process but need to contact Campus Security: 
    • Use the Omnialert app to contact security in the Lodi or Rutherford location (whichever location the engagement is taking place). 
    • Contact Campus Safesty & Security team directly (Chris Musto or Rob Anzilotti) 
      • Phone: 201-559-3561 (Rutherford) or 201-509-0306 (Lodi) 
      • Mr.Musto or a designated campus security liaison will work directly with the agent. 
  • If You (Student or Staff) are Specifically Approached and/or Named by Agents 
    • Contact security as outlined above. 
    • You have the right to remain silent. 
    • You have the right to counsel (ask for a lawyer). 
    • You do not have to answer questions or sign any documents. 
    • You have the right not to open your door if in your residence hall, unless a warrant is produced. You can ask the officer to present the warrant under your door. Proceed to contact security and communicate what you are doing to agents, as detailed above.* 
  • Protect Student and Employee Privacy (If asked for personally identifiable information – PII) 
    • Inform the agent that you are consulting with appropriate university personnel who will be able to answer their questions and that you are not obstructing their process. 
    • Please do not answer questions or provide personally identifiable information about yourself or anyone else unless required by a valid subpoena/warrant and told to do so by Mr. Musto or a selected designee representing university leadership or counsel.  Examples of personally identifiable information may include and are not limited to name, contact information, class lists, student schedules, etc. 
    • Ensure compliance with FERPA and HIPAA regulations. 

 

  • Guidance for University Employees Concerning Requests to Access University Facilities
    • If a law enforcement official, including an ICE agent, requests access to a campus facility, building, or any portion of the campus in which public access is restricted by a front desk, key or access card at the time of the request, and they are NOT accompanied by an campus security officer, the employee or department receiving this request must immediately contact campus security and inform them of such a request. Campus security will respond and review the request, in consultation with university leadership, when appropriate. The employee or supervisor should ask the law enforcement official to wait until a campus security officer arrives. However, under no circumstance should the employee or department physically block/interfere with any access or enforcement action.
  • Additional Support Students, Faculty and Staff: 
    • You may also direct affected individuals to Counseling and Consultation Services at 201-559-3337 or Student Affairs at 201-355-1165 for additional support if requested or needed. 

 

Additional Information for Faculty & Staff: 

Personally Identifiable Information 

If any law enforcement official, including an ICE agent, requests access to, or copies of, Felician student education records, the employee or department receiving this request must immediately contact campus security and inform them of such a request. Campus security will then review the request, in consultation with university leadership and/or university counsel, when appropriate. The requested information will not be provided unless/until approved by campus security or university leadership. This guidance does not extend to routine student information inquiries requiring compliance under state or federal law. 

Access to University Facilities 

Many areas of the university and facilities on the university’s campus are private and are not open to the public, including those that require a university ID or key for access. Non-university law enforcement officers, including ICE officers, may only obtain access to university facilities or students on campus under one of the following circumstances: with consent; with proper warrants; or under exigent circumstances. 

  • Consent. Felician University does not consent to non-university law enforcement accessing areas that are secured and not open to the public under normal circumstances, and most University employees are not authorized to give consent on behalf of the University. 
  • Proper Warrants. Whether a warrant authorizes a law enforcement officer, including an ICE officer, to take a specific action, such as conducting a search or arrest, depends on the scope of the warrant and whether it was issued by a judge or was administratively issued. Felician University, consistent with the rule of law, must honor valid judicial warrants, but it is difficult for an untrained person to determine whether a warrant has been validly issued by a judge. Thus, it is vitally important to immediately contact campus security so that it can be determined whether access is appropriate. 
  • Exigent Circumstances. In the extremely unlikely event that exigent circumstances, such as imminent risk of death or physical harm, exist or may exist, call campus security immediately. 
Additional Internal Resources

For any student concerned and in need of confidential guidance and resources, students should reach out to the counseling center or ministry department.  

Resources for guidance, support and questions: 

Counseling & Wellness Support: 

https://felician.edu/campus-life/counseling-wellness-services/ 

Financial Aid & Grant Support: 

https://felician.edu/admissions/student-financial-services/ 

Spiritual Care and Support: 

https://felician.edu/campus-ministry/ 

Rev. Thomas Franks, OFM Cap., Vice President
201-559-1913
Frankst@felician.edu 

Campus Safety 

https://felician.edu/campus-life/campus-safety/ 

Media Inquiries/Press 

Tricia Perrotti, Director of Marketing & Communications
551-226-0488
Perrottit@felician.edu 

This page is for informational purposes only and should not be considered or used as legal advice.