FAQs

Will Knox be making any legal resources available for undocumented students and students and employees who have DACA?
Yes. Knox College has reached out to many alumni who have agreed to answer questions and work with undocumented students. Request a list of available attorneys.

Will Knox provide financial support for undocumented and DACA students? 
Yes. Knox College uses private funds to provide financial aid to support undocumented and DACA students. Current Knox students are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Financial Services with questions via email or phone at 309-341-7149. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office with questions via email or phone at 309-341-7100.

Does Knox provide any mental health resources addressing the needs of undocumented and DACA students and students from mixed status families?
Yes. Knox College provides access to resources on campus and can make referrals to other agencies if needed. Learn more about mental health resources. 

Will undocumented students continue to be admitted to Knox?
Yes. Knox College considers admission from around the world. All students who apply to Knox College are considered for admission and for the financial aid for which they qualify. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the Admissions Office with questions via email or phone at 309-341-7100. 

Does Knox protect my personal identifiable student education records?
Knox College adheres to the The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended (FERPA), which provides educational institutions and students certain rights and protections concerning access to student educational records, as well as the content of those records. The College is committed to protecting the privacy of student educational records with the means available by law. In accordance with FERPA, the College will not release information from a student's education record, including immigration status and other identifying information, without the student's written consent, except as required by law. There are some exceptions, which are described in the Knox College Student Handbook.

Students may withhold some or all categories of directory information by submitting a Federal Educational Rights Privacy Act Form (PDF) to the Office of the Registrar. A withholding request is only valid for the remainder of the academic year after the date of submittal.

Does Knox protect my student health records?
Yes, student health records are confidential as required by HIPPA. Health records are not part of a student's educational record.

The Privacy Rule protects all "individually identifiable health information" held or transmitted by a covered entity or its business associate, in any form or media, whether electronic, paper, or oral. The Privacy Rule calls this information "protected health information" (PHI)

Individually identifiable health information is information, including demographic data that relates to: the individual's past, present or future physical or mental health or condition, the provision of health care to the individual, or the past, present, or future payment for the provision of health care to the individual, and that identifies the individual or for which there is a reasonable basis to believe it can be used to identify the individual. Individually identifiable health information includes many common identifiers (e.g., name, address, birth date, social security number). For more information visit U.S. Health and Human Services.

What role does Campus Safety play with regard to enforcement of federal immigration laws?
Campus Safety officers are here to protect our students and the College community, and do not contact or question an individual solely on the basis of suspected immigration status or to discover their immigration status.

It is Knox College's general policy that a federal agent seeking to detain a student, staff member, or other individual on school property for violating U.S. immigration law must present a valid criminal warrant to do so. This requirement also applies if a federal agent wants to search the Knox College campus for a person of interest suspected of violating U.S. immigration laws. Exceptions to this policy will be approved only by the highest levels of leadership at Knox College.

Furthermore, officers in the Department of Campus Safety will not cooperate with government or law enforcement agencies making general or broad requests for information concerning students, including students at risk of deportation, unless supported by an appropriate warrant, subpoena, or related document. Requests from agencies made by email, telephone, or any other means will be similarly treated. All officers will receive training in determining which requests for information from law enforcement agencies should be honored.

In addition, officers presented with an in-person request for information or assistance on an immigration-related matter by a government or law enforcement agency will immediately notify the Director of Campus Safety or their designee, who will assess the request in cooperation with the Vice President for Finance and Administrative Services and any other senior administrative personnel deemed necessary before making a determination on how to respond to the request, including the Vice President for Student Development for any situation involving students.

If it is determined that the agencies are in possession of a valid criminal arrest or search warrant, campus safety officers will only assist in locating the persons, buildings, or residences specified in the warrant or court order, unless otherwise instructed by the director. This policy shall not apply to requests wherein a written waiver of release from the student or students in question has been submitted.

What immigration-related reporting to the federal government is required by Campus Safety?
All colleges in the United States are required to report the registration status of students attending college on an F1 Visa. Knox College does not report the immigration status of any other student.