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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 28, 2001)
Visa continued from pagelA creation and funding of a database of international students, setting up new requirements for schools and universities and new INS admis sion procedures. “(The proposals) may be contro versial, but there has to be recogni tion that this is an unprecedented time in the country, and our nation al security depends on our system functioning to ensure that terrorists do not take advantage of the vulner abilities in the student visa pro gram,” Feinstein said. Feinstein first spoke of the propos als last Thursday in an interview with the New York Times. Although University and other higher educa tion officials were not surprised by the proposals, many questioned the need for such strong measures. “It would be a shame to see this kind of reaction in response to the Senator Feinstein’s Student Visa Proposal • Six-month moratorium on foreign student visas This would give INS time to develop its foreign student tracking system • fuff funding for an electronic tracking system This would authorize $32.3 million in spendingforlNS • New INS admission procedures All foreign students would have to submit applications to INS before going to the State Department for a visa • New requirements for schools accepting foreign students Schools would have to sign an affidavit agreeing to comply with the new requirements and would have to report to INS on a quarterly basis « Enhanced INS data collection INS would be required to upgrade its computer systems to include fingerprints and photographs of alt foreign students applying to enter the United States, as weli as integrate its system with the FBI, the State Department, ports of entry and the U.S. Customs Service • Enhanced security at U.S. ports of snf ry Additional INS and Customs inspectors would be used at vulnerable ports to inspect incoming foreign students Source: Senator Feinstem events (of Sept. 11),” said Ginny Stark, associate director of the Of fice of International Education and Exchange. Student leaders agreed. “In the past, the Oregon Student Association has opposed any and all efforts to restrict access to educa tion,” said Joelle Lester, OSA execu tive director. A spokesman for Feinstein said higher education officials were con sulted during the formulation of the proposals, which attempt to fill in gaps in regulations in student visas. “It was the educators who told us there were (visa) monitoring gaps,” said Jim Hock. “The student visa category is the most unregulated and exploited visa category. ” Hock said reforms are necessary to the student visa program be cause officials believe at least one of the suicide pilots involved in the attacks enrolled at a college in Oakland, Calif., in November 2000, but never appeared at school. He also said the proposals should come before a committee in the next two weeks. Many officials lay fault on lax processes by the INS. Stark said that all international students must go through rigorous application and screening processes before being ac cepted to the University. However, once the student enters the University, “there is never any follow-up by the INS,” Stark said. After international students have entered the country, Stark said, the INS should do a better job in track ing students’ movements. Academic officials and the federal government have often been at odds over many issues relating to interna tional students. Many Universities and NAFSA: Association of Higher Educators complained this summer about the rising number of student visa rejections in some countries, no tably China. Also, many officials fought with the INS over the pro posed Student and Exchange Visitor Program, a database which will track international students and scholars. At one point, the INS attempted to force universities to collect a $95 fee from each international student to pay for the program. Feinstein’s proposals address many issues surrounding the data base, including full financial support. Rogers, who is also the chairman of a consular-affairs working group for NAFSA, fears the database will be too obtrusive and error-prone. “The government has the need to obtain information, and I don’t have SMfm .: *» «>*«?& Stop in for your FREE copy today! Now in your local Council Travel office, the new and updated I9OW10 Student Travels Magazine Great information on seeing the world! 877 1/2 East 13th Street Eugene 541-344-2263 America's Leader In Student Travel 1-800-2COUNCIL www.coqnciltrpy^l-cpm an issue there,” Rogers said. ‘‘The potential for abuse and fraud is enormous. We all know how hard it is to change federal records when something wrong goes in. ” John Liebhardt is the higher education editor for the Oregon Daily Emerald. He can be reached at johnliebhardt@dailyemerald.com. Faith events Monday, Oct. 1 Band rehearsal: Wesley Center’s "Praise and Worship” band invites new members to join its rehearsal 6:30 p.m. Wesley Center, 1236 Kincaid St. Free. For information, call 346-4694. Wednesday, Oct. 3 Worsh ip: Stud ent worship service. 7 p.m. Wesley Center. The Emerald will soon offers full calendar of events online at www.dailyemerald.com. Send information on campus events to caiendar@dailyemerald.com. 1 IVERSITY of OREGON Distance Education i Close the distance... ... with online courses! ! ! Do you need to be away from campus during the term? • Attending an internship site • Working a job • Family needs You can close the distance with online courses! 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It is expected that students will complete the course within the term, as you would if this were a classroom course. Some courses are self-paced and allow students to finish early. Testing procedures vary per course. * These courses are administered by the office of Continuing Education and have a self-support fee of $415. If you are a full-time student, this fee will be in addition to your regular tuition. Close the distance at de. uoregon. edu %«%%»%*
