University of Colorado Chancellor Phil DiStefano reaffirmed the university’s support for international students and scholars in the wake of the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Donald Trump’s travel ban.

“Here at CU Boulder, we will continue to recruit, welcome and provide support for all students, researchers, visiting scholars, faculty and employees,” DiStefano wrote in a public statement Tuesday afternoon. “Our welcoming and collaborative spirit extends beyond our campus to the Boulder community, which also supports international visitors.

“For those members of our university community who come from other countries, International Student and Scholar Services on our campus is here to support you.”

The Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision rejected a challenge that Trump’s ban on travel from several mostly Muslim countries discriminated against Muslims or exceeded his authority, according to the Associated Press.

DiStefano, who expressed concern about impact of the Tuesday ruling, said the university’s International Student and Scholar Services office has been directly communicating with and providing guidance to affected CU Boulder students and scholars from the countries targeted by the travel ban — Iran, Libya, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, Somalia and Yemen.

The university posts alerts when policies that affect international students change. The international student office also connects students with on-campus counseling and other resources. For more information, members of the campus community can visit colorado.edu/isss/news-alerts.

DiStefano also cited a Tuesday statement by the Association of American Universities, of which CU is a member. The association condemned the Supreme Court’s decision and said it would have harmful effects on the country’s higher education system.

“Though we are deeply disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision, we will continue working closely with our federal partners to ensure the visa system prevents entry by those who wish our nation harm, while maintaining the inflow of global talent that has contributed so much to our nation,” the Association of American Universities statement said, in part.

DiStefano said he would work closely with colleagues in the Association of American Universities to “ensure global talent continues to attend and work at our universities.”

Last year, CU recorded a dip in freshmen international student enrollment, which was on par with national trends, but CU leaders did not say what they thought was driving the decrease. However, they did acknowledge that “changing times” can cause anxiety and stress among international students.

A university communication in March 2017 regarding a previous version of the policies said that regardless of the number of people affected at CU, the administration’s immigration and travel policies created a climate of uncertainty.

CU’s fall 2017 census counted 3,192 international students out of the total 33,246 enrolled on the Boulder campus.

Cassa Niedringhaus: 303-473-1106, cniedringhaus@dailycamera.com, twitter.com/CassaMN