The Board of Trustees at St. Mary’s College of Maryland approved a new Immigration Enforcement Policy during its regular October meeting on October 10, 2025, in response to state requirements under the Maryland Values Act. The board also received an update from President Rhonda Phillips on her initial 100 days in office, which included a listening tour involving meetings with hundreds of students, faculty, staff and stakeholders across campus and Maryland. All action items on the agenda, including budget proposals and mandatory state reports, passed without opposition.
The policy, mandated by House Bill 1222, known as the Maryland Values Act and enacted during the 2025 legislative session, sets guidelines for federal immigration enforcement on campus. This law requires state colleges and universities to restrict federal access to non-public areas unless specific conditions are met, such as a valid judicial warrant or exigent circumstances. At St. Mary’s College, the policy defines restricted spaces like residence halls, faculty offices, counseling centers and in-use classrooms, while unrestricted areas include campus grounds, sidewalks and common spaces in the Campus Center and Library.
Under the policy, the Director of Public Safety serves as the primary contact for any immigration-related matters. Federal officers seeking access to restricted areas for civil enforcement must present a judicial warrant signed by a federal judge, verified by the director in consultation with the Assistant Attorney General. Administrative warrants do not suffice for such access. The policy prohibits college personnel from interfering with officers but requires them to state non-consent if entry is attempted without proper authorization. Records of all incidents must be maintained, and if an individual is removed from campus, the director notifies the president, legal counsel and emergency contacts while adhering to privacy laws like FERPA and HIPAA.
President Phillips described the policy as drafted in line with state law, input from the Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and Student Government Association, and the college’s guiding principles known as the St. Mary’s Way. “This policy was drafted in accordance with state law, feedback from the Faculty Senate, Staff Senate and Student Government Association, and in the spirit of the St. Mary’s Way,” said President Phillips. “Although there is a great deal of uncertainty and concern, this policy is intended to provide a practical, legal framework to keep our community safe on campus.”
The Maryland Values Act aims to protect immigrant communities by limiting state and local involvement in federal immigration actions, particularly at sensitive locations like educational institutions. It ends certain agreements allowing local law enforcement to perform immigration duties and requires notifications for federal actions. Provisions ensure that public institutions like St. Mary’s College maintain focus on education without undue disruption from enforcement activities unrelated to criminal matters.
During the meeting, trustees heard details on Phillips’ listening tour, launched upon her July 1, 2025, appointment as the college’s eighth president. The tour involved dozens of sessions to gather input on the institution’s direction. “With our national ranking in the top five public liberal arts colleges, we’re punching far above our weight with our reputation, with our accomplishments,” said President Phillips. “Through my listening tour these first 100 days, I felt if I can meet as many members of our extended community as possible, their thoughts on our college will help me keep us moving forward.” The initiative included on-campus events and outreach across Maryland, emphasizing accessibility and community engagement.
Other agenda items included a proposal for a new Master of Arts degree in counseling and clinical psychology, set to address growing needs in mental health services. The program would build on the college’s existing psychology offerings, which explore human behavior and mental processes through coursework and research. Trustees also discussed upcoming Title II accessibility requirements effective spring 2026, aimed at ensuring compliance with federal standards for digital and physical access in higher education. A restructuring of the Office of Inclusion and Belonging was reviewed to enhance support for diverse student populations.
Board Chair John J. Bell ’95 highlighted the college’s progress amid broader challenges in higher education. “In a challenging time for higher education, St. Mary’s College is thriving on many fronts,” said John J. Bell ’95, chair of the Board of Trustees. “Yet there is always more we can do to support current and future students as we live our mission—to make an exceptional liberal arts education accessible to talented students from Maryland and beyond – regardless of background or circumstance.”
Budget-related actions covered operational funding and state reporting obligations, all approved as presented. The meeting followed committee sessions on October 9, 2025, focusing on finance and investment matters.
The college’s emphasis on liberal arts education draws students from across Maryland, including Southern Maryland counties like St. Mary’s, Calvert and Charles, where local history ties into the institution’s roots. Past initiatives, such as the 2025 Bay to Bay Service Days involving alumni and students in community service, underscore its regional connections. With new leadership under Phillips, who brings experience from prior roles in community development, the college continues to prioritize accessibility and innovation in programs like the proposed counseling degree.
