BFC reports problems with SEVIS

Tracking software used to keep watch on international students to maintain national security is reportedly experiencing massive difficulties, including glitches and strict restrictions which might mean fewer international students and for some, deportation.\nAssociate Dean of International Programs Christopher Viers gave a presentation before the Bloomington Faculty Council Tuesday in which he spelled out some of the troubles with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System that IU should be aware of.\nSEVIS, the Internet-based system that will link colleges to Immigration and Naturalization Services, has experienced considerable problems in the past, Viers said. IU had only three weeks from the time the requirements were decided to integrate SEVIS into its system. IU was certified for SEVIS by Jan. 21, more than a week before the deadline.\nViers said the Office of International Services is now finding there are problems, both immediate and long term.\nReporting requirements will be far stricter for OIS. If international students drop below a full course load for their college for more than one semester, it is now a deportable offense. \nViers said this policy is a response to the nation's concern for national security, but he said it is irrational.\n"This policy has an underlying tone that if you are an international student and you are not in school full time, then you are up to no good," he said.\nConversely, SEVIS will also stop many international students from being in too many classes. Any dependents of foreign students may pursue only part-time study and only for "avocational or recreational purposes." As part of this policy, if a course fulfills any degree requirements, then it is not considered recreational.\nThe only exceptions to these course requirements are injury, illness, closure of the institution, natural disaster or circumstances beyond the student's control. The student also may take a reduced class load in their final year, but Viers said due to the strict enforcement, students must graduate when expected.\n"If you aren't taking a full course load because it's your last year, then it better be your last year, or else," Viers said.\nIn addition, some students may find themselves in trouble with the INS simply because of computer error. Viers said the technology currently in use "simply is not ready."\nHe said when students send their information online, the information has in some cases been accidentally sent to the wrong university, causing increased troubles.\n"One student here tried to print out his very important visa information and out printed documents from Oklahoma," Viers said. "So, if these problems aren't noticed and fixed, students could be deported because of a simple technological failure."\nIn one incident attracting national attention, a student from Thailand attending Southeastern University in Washington was arrested March 12 by federal agents after computer glitches made it appear as if he dropped out of school.\nViers said SEVIS could also have possible long term ramifications such the ability to recruit and retain international students because of the restrictions and the overall attitude of these policies.\n"It's not really a welcoming, friendly environment," Viers said. "Students don't like 'Mother SEVIS' watching their every move."\nViers said it's this growing opinion that keeps international students from applying.\n"In the international community, it is widely thought that the doors for higher education in the U.S. aren't just closing, they're slamming shut," he said.\nMembers of the BFC showed concern about the possibility of a decrease in international students.\nIUB Chancellor Sharon Brehm said she feels it could seriously affect many departments, but does not know what to do about it.\n"This is a very political issue," Brehm said. "This is seen as part of the war on terrorism and it's difficult to oppose any program that supports the war."\nShe said these programs will specifically hurt students in mathematics, science and engineering, which she said is counterproductive to their desired effect.\n"This program is actually a threat to national security because it will seriously hurt our sciences, which is an effective tool in security," she said.\nBusiness professor Eric Rasmusen said he feels there should be some effort between universities, such as Big Ten schools, to create amicus briefs to unite against these policies.\nBFC members also disagreed with the policy on a political level, saying these policies create a double standard for international students.\n"If all students had to follow these guidelines, only about half would remain," telecommunications professor Erik Bucy said. "It just seems against the American philosophy of priding ourselves on being a melting pot of cultures."\nOverall, Viers said he was unhappy about SEVIS, saying he does not want to limit the number of international students.\n"Honestly, this is not what I signed up for," he said. "I do not want to an agent of the INS"