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(11/29/11 4:54am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>IU has never been more internationally recognized, according to a recent report from more than 1,200 U.S. universities.It is among a number of schools in the United States that have contributed to a continuing growth in international enrollment nationally and abroad. The annual Open Doors study released this month, conducted by the Institute of International Education in coordination with the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, has shown an overall growth for the past five years in both U.S. students studying abroad and international students enrolled in U.S. universities.“These latest rankings confirm Indiana University’s standing as a truly world-class institution of higher education,” IU President Michael McRobbie said in a press release.In the Open Doors report reflecting the 2010-11 school year, IU ranked eighth in number of students studying abroad and 11th in on-campus internationalenrollment. McRobbie said the school is close to reaching its expressed goals of being top 10 in both categories. The growth reflects a commitment from IU to offer students a modern global perspective. “In particular, we are extremely pleased that more and more IU students are studying abroad, which, over the past two or three decades, has evolved from a luxury to virtually an essential college experience, since nearly every career IU students will pursue will have an international dimension to a greater or lesser extent,” McRobbie said.IU has been working to diversify the international dimensions in Bloomington. International enrollment on campus grew 13.5 percent from fall 2009 to fall 2010, most of which consisted of Chinese students. As for these students’ experiences on campus, administrators seemed optimistic. “International students report high levels of satisfaction with their Indiana University experience, and they are our best recruiters,” said Christopher Viers, IU associate vice president for international services. “At a time when talented, globally minded students have a vast array of educational options to consider, we are particularly pleased that the exceptional quality and value of an Indiana University education is increasingly recognized and appreciated worldwide.”Junior Stephane Seo, an international student from South Korea who has dual citizenship with the U.S., said the reasons to choose IU were clear, though he quickly found out there was much more to the U.S. college experience. “I’ve been to several different universities, and Indiana definitely has a certain understanding of international students in general, but they could do better,” Seo said. “They should be more open with the different opportunities on campus. Most international students come here for our business school, but they don’t know how many other great programs and activities there are.”IU continues to find ways to improve its presence in international countries. The Institute of International Education has seen this increasing trend of international students and predicts it will continue to grow in the coming decades. “Every decade, there are one or two countries driving the numbers,” said Peggy Blumenthal, senior counselor to the president of the institute. In the 1990s, Japan and other parts of Asia dominated. However, in the next decade, Vietnam, Turkey, Indonesia and Brazil are among the countries to watch, Blumenthal said.The institute, which has been the leading nonprofit educational and cultural exchange organization in the U.S. since 1919, sponsors the Fulbright and Gilman scholarships and creates programs for study and training among students in all professional and academic sectors.
(10/19/11 3:15am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>Five years ago, in the aftermath of the tragic shooting at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, the student movement for the right to carry concealed firearms began in universities across the country. Helping introduce new gun rights legislation in 15 states, the student organization Students for Concealed Carry on Campus represents one side of the issue of student safety.With chapters on multiple campuses and an estimated 24,000 students (according to the organization’s Facebook page), faculty and parents to back them up, the SCCC is pushing for state law to allow the carrying of concealed firearms and for a lightening of university policy to allow students to participate in that right while on campus.The SCCC’s two-part mission includes sending a message about the importance of guns in maintaining campus safety.IU has a chapter, which claims gun-free zones serve to disarm only law-abiding citizens who might be able to mitigate such tragedies as school shootings and violence. Lindsey Ferguson, an IU junior and officer in the IU SCCC, said the zones increase the risk of violence. “(Restrictions) to the rights of law-abiding citizens are paving the way for people who don’t care about the law to take advantage of the lack of protection,” Ferguson said.Even if the SCCC is able to persuade the state legislature to pass a legalization for licensed gun owners, school policy could remain an issue. This happened in Wisconsin when the state legalized campus carry and the University of Wisconsin-Madison banned guns on campus.IU also has a stringent total firearms and weapons prohibition extending to both students and faculty. If a faculty member is found with a concealed firearm, they are subject to immediate dismissal. IU’s legal charter reads, “A safe and secure environment is a fundamental prerequisite for fulfilling the University mission of teaching, research, and public service. IU is committed to maintaining a workplace that is free of violence.”IU Police Department Lt. Craig Munroe said he supports the school’s ban. “I believe institutions have the right to restrict the presence of weapons,” Munroe said. “It’s my job to protect rights, not judge them.”Having met this resistance in campuses nationwide, the SCCC has organized students and faculty in “empty holster protests” in which activists wear empty holsters to represent their lack of protection. At these events, the group leaders argue there are misconceptions about carrying concealed firearms. The focus at these events is to make evident the inequity of power between criminals and citizens. The SCCC’s campaign slogans, such as “Attention criminals, Gun Free Zone, All Law-Abiding, Faculty, Staff, and Students of this Institution have been Disarmed for Your Convenience,” sums up its intent best. Ferguson said the SCCC hopes as the issue gains traction in communities around the country, people will make more informed decisions. “I understand that there are a lot of people who are not aware of the issue, and the first step is opening up and talking about it,” Ferguson said.The group has met opposition beyond school policy, as well. Students Against Guns in Education has spoken out against the SCCC. SAGE, which formed at the University of Arizona, has a similar mission to the SCCC in fostering the public’s education of weapons issues. However, SAGE claims guns will bring more harm than good in the educational system. Ferguson said he could understand the critics’ concerns, but he said they weren’t realistic. “There have been 126-plus combined semesters on college campuses which allow concealed carry,” Ferguson said. “There have been no incidents.” In an article in the Chronicle of Higher Education, Colin Goddard, a survivor of the Virginia Tech shooting, said he found the implication that guns might have lowered the death toll at Virginia Tech “offensive.” He said the only way to prevent violence is by pro-actively making obtaining a gun license more difficult. Methods to do so include stricter licensing, mental-health checks and improved campus security and emergency planning, he said.The SCCC agrees proactive measures should be taken, yet these measures can only go so far, Ferguson said. “IU does a good job of offering counseling and psychological services,” Ferguson said. “However, they cannot cover all cases, and there will always be the risk (of violence).”
(09/23/11 3:43am)
____simple_html_dom__voku__html_wrapper____>There is no better way to celebrate Hispanic heritage than with soccer.The City of Bloomington, collaborating with its Latino Programs and Outreach department and the El Centro Communal Latino, will commence Hispanic Heritage Month with the COPA Bloomington six-on-six soccer tournament. The tournament will be at Karst Farm Park. A number of teams have registered for the 45-minute games. The tournament will include not only the Latino population but also Bloomington residents of varying backgrounds. The tournament dates are Sept. 25 and Oct. 2. Semi-finals and finals are Oct. 9. “Our primary audience started out being Latinos in this community, but we’ve ended up getting a wonderfully diverse tournament,” said Melissa Britton, the Latino outreach coordinator for the City of Bloomington. “This year, we’re also trying to get more teams from surrounding areas.”At IU, La Casa Latino Cultural Center is participating in the tournament for its second year. “It goes toward cultural traditions, physical health and mental health,” said Lillian Casillas, La Casa’s director. “It goes toward bringing people together that share something.” Casillas particularly applauded the opportunity to bring Latino males together, a group she said is often less represented in the community.“It does bring Latinos from the community and from the University together, but it also brings non-Latinos together,” she said. “It’s a great way to create a whole cohesive community.”COPA Bloomington is open to anyone at least 18 years old to play, regardless of skill level. There will be both a recreational and competitive division. The tournament has sponsors from all around Bloomington, including Indiana University Health, Kilroy’s Bar and Grill and El Norteño. Organizers said they try to keep the tournament affordable and accessible at only $200 per 10-man team. All proceeds go to El Centro Communal Latino.The tournament is just one of the many events and services the City of Bloomington’s Latino Programs and Outreach department provides.Begun in response to the growing Hispanic population in Bloomington, the department and its affiliates aid in matters from common translation issues to the transition for Hispanic residents new to the city. “It helps integrate them into the community and gives them a very low-key environment to interact outside of the work environment,” said Cristobal Garza, a graduate student working for the IU Department of Spanish and Portuguese. “It helps break some of the social barriers. I think it’s a great thing.”For more information about COPA Bloomington or the Latino Programs and Outreach department, contact Britton at 812-349-3860.