International stuclents must attencl class and maintain an up-to-date visa status

SHAWN RICE STAFF WRITER

SMR723@CABRJNI.EDU

The watch on international students has become increasingly tighter in recent years. Complications concerning visa applications have been a threat for international students because of Congress's resolve for stronger national security.

Jennifer Marks-Gold, international student support adviser, said, "A tracking system is in place that is a web-based program that makes us keep up on the (foreign) students." An area where there was little concern for example an international student who missed a class has become information that is important to the government.

As reported on National Association of Foreign Student Advisers website, the Institute of International Education surveyed members of the American Association of Intensive English Programs and found a 19 percent decline in total enrollments between 2002 and 2003.

Marks-Gold said, "The new laws are stricter and horrible for (international) students. There is a decline over the entire country. Students are studying in Europe."

The main issue has been the visa applications and the continuing renewal of them on time. The screening process has been an increasing problem due to the "efficiency" the government desires.

Zdravko Markov, senior Internet computing major from Bulgaria, said, "Every international student has to stay on top of his or her visa status to make sure it is not expired and if it will expire soon you have to apply for renewal months before it expires or you won't get the new one in time and you will be in the country illegally."

Markov continued, "Also, after graduation international students who want to stay in the US and work have to look for jobs that can provide them with working visas which could be very difficult and stressful."

NAFSA reports on their website that during the academic year of 2001-2002, foreign students and their dependents contributed more than $11.95 billion to the U.S. economy based on tuition figures, enrollment figures and living expenses.

Olivia had to give evidence that she will only be in the country to study and that she can afford the education. Her visa was stamped as an Fl indicating her status in the country as a student and only as a student.

Olivia is limited to working on campus until after a year of residency in the country. After the year she needs a signature from her international student support adviser Olivia hopes to make a return to Italy for a small visit with her family who she misses. In order to be able to come back into the United States, she needs a signature from her international student support adviser on a form before she leaves.

Was her decision to come to the states in pursuit of an education worth the aggravation and frustration? Olivia said, "Yeah, I chose the right path."

Drinkingonly allowedin house and CAC roomsfor studentsof age

LEGAL, page 1

If a crowd is caught with minors in the presence of alcohol, everyone in the room can be held accountable. Immediate actions will be taken on the host of whatever room it is in.

"Walk on any college campus, and you're going to find drinking, lots of it;' Trevor Daniels, a senior, said. "If it is allowed and properly monitored, there is less likely to be a problem."

"Be sure to know; just because we say you can drink does not mean that we condone irresponsible drinking," Stroud remarked wanting to get that point across strongly. He went on to say that the drinking games are forbidden because their only purpose is to get drunk. Kegs and party-balls are also restricted from campus.

Junior Leslie Connus agrees with the allowances, but wishes they were more apparent when she lived in the houses. Connus, who is now 22, always hid her drinking when she finished her homework because no one knew what was permitted. "I was 21 and it felt like High School, so I just moved off campus," Connus said.

The entire college experience involves learning to become independent through academic goals as well as diving into the social pipeline. A simple compromise between the two such as the drinking allowance creates a tolerable atmosphere.

People are going to drink whether they are allowed to or n9t. Connus feels that being told one can't drink is more of an incentive to drink.

"This policy's purpose is to educate young adults how to drink with rational thought," Stroud said.