The University of Northern Iowa’s student-produced newspaper since 1892
Northern Iowan
Friday, September 10, 2010 Volume 107, Issue 4 Cedar Falls, Iowa northern-iowan.org
Students bring weekly jazz series to campus
UNI Football begins 2010 season Saturday
Page 7
Page 3 For exclusive web content, visit www.northern-iowan.org
UNI debate team discusses employmentbased visas for immigrants DAKOTA FUNK Staff Writer
One of the most controversial issues in the United States is immigration, particularly whether illegal immigrants should get the rights to work in this country. Last Thursday, the University of Northern Iowa debate team discussed whether the U.S. federal government should increase employment-based visas to immigrants in the United States. The UNI debate students who represented the people for increasing the employment-based visas were Al Hiland, a senior political communication major, and Zach Simonson, a junior political communication major. The debate students who represented the people opposed to it were Allie Chase, a junior English major, and Thomas Casaday, a freshman mathematics major. Hiland began the debate by presenting his opening argument about distinguishing between the different types of immigrant groups. “Recent legislation dis-
courages high-tech workers from coming to the United States,” Hiland argued. “Our government’s stance towards highly-skilled immigrants hurts America’s economic competitiveness.” Hiland continued on, adding that there are too many delays in our visa program that hurt the United States’ competiveness and that a lot of highly-skilled immigrants have had to wait up to 10 years to get their green cards. When Casaday cross-examined Hiland over the issue of why it is so important to expand the number of visas, Hiland answered by stating that the United States could use less stringent procedures for potential immigration if the number of available visas was higher. Chase presented her opening argument by stating that if the United States increases the number of visas for immigrants, it will hurt not only the economy in the United States but also the immmigrants’ countries. “More than 21,000 doctors from Nigeria are working in the United States,
while Nigeria suffers a shortage of healthcare professionals,” stated Chase. When Zach Simonson presented his opening argument, he said that immigrants in the United States are critical to healthcare patents and other patents here. “Immigrants are critical to both innovation and patents,” Simonson said. “They also generate economic growth.” Simonson also stated that there are 470 openings in high-tech companies that can’t be filled, which was his main argument as for why there should be more visas for immigrants. “Immigrant visas have stimulated economic growth, they’ve created new jobs and they’re proven to complement American jobs,” said Simonson. When Chase cross-examined Simonson, she asked why there are so many unemployed college graduates if there is such a huge demand for highly skilled workers. Simonson answered by stating many college graduates don’t go into the fields of
take place in the Maucker Union Old Central Ballroom from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. As of press time, 20 companies have signed up to take part in Interview Day as well as the Career Fair. Students must attend the fair in order to take part in Interview Day. Kristin Cahill, employer relations coordinator for UNI Career Services, encourages students of all levels to come because everyone can get something out of it. “It’s a great opportunity for students to network with different organizations,” Cahill said. “It’s a great way
KARYN SPORY
UNI prepares for annual career fair ALEX KOOLBECK Staff Writer
The University of Northern Iowa Career Fair, which is sponsored by UNI Career Services, will be held at the McLeod Center on Monday, Sept. 20, from 2-6 p.m. Students and alumni are invited to come talk to over 100 organizations and graduate and professional schools about internships, full-time jobs or further education. No registration is necessary. Additionally, companies at the Career Fair will be setting up interviews with students for Tuesday, Sept. 21. These interviews will
See CAREER FAIR, page 2
JULIE WHEELER/Northern Iowan
Al Hiland, senior political communication major, answers junior English Major Allie Chase, cross-examination question on Thursday nights debate over immigration.
See DEBATE, page 2
UNI business students, get your passports ready Staff Writer
University of Northern Iowa business students are being offered the opportunity to study abroad through the Cost-Neutral Semester Abroad Program. Business students can apply through Oct. 31 for the two International Professional Development scholarships. The scholarships are worth $7,500 and $5,000, and are available for the 2011 spring semester. The Cost-Nuetral Sememser Abroad Program is associated with the College of Business Administration. This program allows stu-
dents to study abroad for a price similar to the amount they pay while attending UNI. “The realization is that students are resistant to going abroad due to perceptions on expense, lack of course transferability and not understanding the lifelong value of the programs. Providing support for the funding and pre-approving courses for transfer dissolves much of the resistance,” said Chris Schrage, UNI marketing instructor and CBA international programs coordinator. The CBA has budgeted $50,000 for the program this year. The number of
students accepted into the program will depend on how many students apply, the cost and how those variables fit within the budget. Only 4.41 percent of business graduates have studied abroad, but with the Cost Neutral Program, the CBA is hoping to increase that amount by 5 percent this year. They are looking for 40 to 50 students to take advantage of the program. The requirements for the scholarships as well as a list of English-speaking institutions can be found in Schrange’s office, Curris Business Building room 261.