(The Center Square) – California State University Long Beach is to hold its annual “UndocU Conference” this April, an event that states it “upholds” the public institution’s vision and commitments.
The conference is intended to “highlight the diverse and intersectional identities of undocumented people,” according to its description.
“We hope to provide a space for undocumented students and allies of varying disciplines to share their academic research,” the description says.
When reached for comment, California State University Long Beach (CSULB) director of news media service Jim Milbury told The Center Square that “the event website is the degree to which information is available.”
Few details have been released yet about this year’s UndocU Conference. Much of the listed information is from 2024’s event, with both conference’s descriptions being nearly identical.
Registration for the April 18, 2025, conference and further details are coming soon, according to the description.
“The UndocU Conference upholds CSULB vision and commitment to dismantle barriers for our diverse student population,” the description says.
The UndocU Conference facilitates “community building and networking through interactive activities and discussions” and features “papers, presentations, and roundtables focused on research within, in support of, and conducted by members of the community,” according to the description.
Topics discussed “may include undocumented student experiences, building campus support systems, youth resilience & activism, inclusive research opportunities, and access to paid professional development.”
In the past, the UndocU Conference has been hosted by CSULB’s Dream Success Center.
The Dream Success Center (DSC) offers “resources and services” to “undocumented students and those impacted by immigration policy,” as stated on its webpage.
When reached twice for comment, the DSC did not respond.
The DSC says in its mission statement that it “commits to supporting the diverse undocumented student community by providing programs and initiatives that focus on academic support, mental health, career and professional development, and Identity exploration.”
“We seek to empower the undocumented student experience by advocating for equity, promoting allyship, fostering partnerships, and creating dialogue of current issues,” the mission statement reads.
One of the services offered by DSC is the “Butterfly Peer Mentorship Program” where migrants in the U.S. illegally are paired with a mentor who will help them achieve goals and have a better student experience, according to the webpage.
DSC also asks CSULB staff and faculty to treat a student’s legal status as confidential, stating its belief that sharing such information “can potentially cause great harm.”
CSULB is a public institution with enrollment of more than 40,000 students as of Fall 2024, according to the school’s website.
