wfn.org | Legislative changes could reduce foreign students to U.S.

[NewsDesk <NewsDesk@UMCOM.ORG>]

April 10, 2002 News media contact: Linda Green7(615)742-54707Nashville,
Tenn.  10-32-71B{151}

By Kathy Gilbert*

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) - Proposed legislation in the wake of Sept. 11 could
limit the ability of international students to study in the United States,
according to a report presented to the United Methodist Division of Higher
Education.

The legislation, being considered in Washington, would require international
students to use a credit card or send U.S. currency before they could
complete the paperwork necessary to study in the United States. For many
international students, obtaining U.S. currency is difficult, according to
the report, presented during the division's March 13-26 meeting in
Arlington, Texas.

"Not all potential students - especially those from Third World countries -
have access to both the Internet and a credit card that will be accepted by
an American bank," said James Noseworthy, staff executive with the
division's Section of Schools, Colleges and Universities. "Many students who
lack access to an electronic payment option will not be able to obtain
American dollars." Noseworthy presented the report on "The Enhanced Border
Security and Visa Entry Reform Act of 2001," scheduled for Senate
consideration this year.

Several education groups, including the National Association of Schools and
Colleges of the United Methodist Church, have joined in sending a letter on
these issues to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, Noseworthy told
elected board members.

"There is great interest among students from other nations to study at
United Methodist-related institutions in the United States," he said. "Many
of these international students are enrolled at colleges of the Methodist
tradition in their home country. Most U.S. colleges and universities believe
the hosting of international students helps give the campuses a global
perspective, which enhances the educational environment."

At the same time, more opportunities are opening up for American students to
study abroad in international programs. 

One such program is the Anglo-American College in Prague. In conjunction
with the Division of Higher Education, the college is offering study
opportunities for U.S. students from United Methodist-related colleges. The
college has an emphasis on business courses but is also a liberal arts
school. Students may apply for the program by contacting the international
studies administrator at their college.

In addition, the division is supporting efforts to open communications
between U.S. and Mexican schools. It supported the second Conference of
Methodist Social Service, to encourage faculty and student exchanges between
U.S. schools and Methodist schools in Mexico. The conference was sponsored
by the Lydia Patterson Institute, a United Methodist-related college
preparatory school in El Paso, Texas.

During the meeting, division members also heard that 11 United
Methodist-related schools would have leadership changes this year: Hiwassee
College, Madisonville, Tenn.; Andrew College, Cuthbert, Ga.; Clark Atlanta
University, Atlanta; Reinhardt College, Waleska, Ga.; Bennett College,
Greensboro, N.C.; Louisburg (N.C.) College; Ferrum (Va.) College; Tennessee
Wesleyan College, Athens, Tenn.; Iowa Wesleyan College, Mount Pleasant,
Iowa; McMurray University, Abilene, Texas; and Rocky Mountain College,
Billings, Mont. 

In other action, the division approved grants for:
7	The MARCHA Western Jurisdiction Youth Exploration event at Claremont
(Calif.) School of Theology. MARCHA is an unofficial church caucus
representing the interests and concerns of Hispanic United Methodists.
7	The Workplace Discipleship program in Lake Junaluska, N.C., for
ethnic minority college students and foreign or exchange students. Students
will be assigned internship opportunities with mentors based on academic
major, interest and desired goals.
	
	Other already approved projects will receive the balance of the
grants: 
7	Thomas-Shockley Network Recruitment, North Georgia Annual
Conference, $10,000.
7	Triple "A" Jubilee Youth Spiritual Formation Center, West Ohio
Annual Conference, $6,500.
7	Hispanic Exploration event, $2,500.
7	Forums-Understanding the Call to Ministry, sponsored by the National
Caucus of Black Methodists for Church Renewal, $2,500.

The division is a unit of the United Methodist Board of Higher Education and
Ministry, based in Nashville.
#  # #
*Gilbert is a member of the staff of the Office of Interpretation of the
United Methodist Board of Higher Education and Ministry.

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United Methodist News Service
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