10/9/2001, President Rodin's Letter Concerning Student Visas

President Rodin's Letter
Concerning Student Visas

This letter by Dr. Rodin is in response to Senator Feinstein's announcement introducing legislation to reform the U.S. Student Visa Program. Specifically this letter responds to the imposition of a six-month moratorium on the issuance of foreign student visas to give the INS time to fully develop its foreign student tracking system and to put into place the necessary infrastructure to detect foreign students who have violated the terms of their visas.

October 1, 2001

The Honorable Dianne Feinstein
331 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510

Dear Dianne:

The University of Pennsylvania and the higher education community are concerned about the possible imposition of a six-month moratorium on the student visa program.

In this time of tragedy everyone is experiencing a heightened awareness of and commitment to national security. However, we do not believe that refusing students entry to the United States--or placing prohibitive restrictions on individuals who wish to study at our world-class institutions--will serve this interest.

Here at Penn, and on campuses across the nation, the exchange of ideas between international students and scholars enhances global understanding and the learning experiences of our students. Additionally, we believe it is in the long-term strategic interest of the United States to keep such programs in place.

I respectfully ask that you consider other solutions to the problems created by admitting international students to U.S. universities. David Ward, former Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin Madison and currently president of the American Council on Education, is leading higher education's effort on this issue. I appreciate your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Almanac, Vol. 48, No. 7, October 9, 2001

ISSUE HIGHLIGHTS:

Tuesday,
October 9, 2001
Volume 48 Number 7
www.upenn.edu/almanac/

President Rodin responds to student visa restrictions.

Jerry Lee Center of Criminology will be dedicated next week.

Three Penn faculty members receive NSF funding for projects in information technology.

Call for Honorary Degree nominations 2003.

Dr. Zuberi is the new director of Afro-American Studies.

Division of Public Safety's Maureen Rush talks about security and Franklin Field institutes new security procedures.

The University Research Foundation Guidelines deadline approaches.

The A-3 Assembly's Employee Resource Fair Raffle Winners.

Research Roundup; Biochemical Pathway Detoxifies heavy metals, Engineers develop a fuel cell that runs on diesel; a gene has been found that carries messages from our circadian clock; and professor develops a game to teach what to do in case of a heart attack.