Supporting In Exile or At Risk Students and Scholars

On this page, you’ll find initiatives and resources for global emergency response and crisis support.

Scholars at Risk Network

The University of Rochester is an institutional member of the Scholars at Risk Network (SAR). This is an international network of higher education institutions and individuals dedicated to protecting threatened scholars, preventing attacks on higher education, and promoting academic freedom and related values worldwide.

Visit the SAR network website

Global Emergency Response Fund

The University of Rochester has established the Global Emergency Response Fund (GERF), made possible by the University’s Board of Trustees chair, Rich Handler ’83, and his company, the Jefferies Group.

Recently, the Jefferies Group raised $6 million for 45 charities to aid Afghan refugees, military heroes, and victims of the Haiti disaster, extending their generosity to the University. All new gifts made to this fund will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Jefferies Challenge, up to $150,000.

Donate to the GERF

New University in Exile Consortium

The University of Rochester is an institutional member of the New University in Exile Consortium. This global group includes colleges and universities from the U.S., Bangladesh, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, the Netherlands, Poland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Each member institution commits to hosting at least one threatened scholar annually, forming a supportive scholar cohort.

Visit the New University in Exile Consortium website

Institute of International Education (IIE)

The University of Rochester is an institutional member of the Institute of International Education (IIE). This includes two notable funds:

• Scholar Rescue Fund® (IIE-SRF): Formalizes a century-long commitment to preserving the lives, voices, and ideas of scholars worldwide
• Artist Protection Fund (APF):  Provides fellowship grants to threatened artists from any field, and places these artists at host institutions in safe countries where they can continue their work and plan for their futures

Visit the IIE website