I firmly believe that US universities should provide education for foreign students.

However, who should pay for this education? I wonder if the American taxpayer is aware that he/she is subsidizing the entire education of many, if not most, of these foreign students. For example, in many STEM areas, foreign graduate research assistants receive 30% to 50% of the PhDs awarded by US institutions and their education is often completely subsidized by support from federal grants from NIH and NSF. When foreign students are hired as teaching assistants in state universities, state taxpayer funds pay for their TA salaries. If the student has a poor command of the language and cannot communicate effectively, the students who are paying tuition are potentially being shortchanged. Many (most?)international graduate students in STEM are male, and if they originate from countries where women are perceived as second class citizens or worse, cultural conflicts can arise that create a hostile environment for women students (and women faculty) in the classroom. Moreover there is the issue of reciprocity. If US citizens wish to receive a degree, for whatever reason, in any of the foreign countries that send their students to the US(eg China, Korea, India...) would these countries be willing to cover the educational costs of American students for an advanced degree?

We have a great need to educate the children of American citizens who pay taxes, and who studies show are lagging behind in STEM areas. Our economy is in crisis. Should taxpayer dollars be used to further the careers of foreign students at the expense of the children of US citizens? Should faculty be allowed to shirk their educational responsibilities to the citizens who make their careers possible and hire foreign students to fill valuable research and teaching positions, especially at a time when the costs of education are escalating? We need to ensure that US universities attract students from around the world, but the our current approach is not a balanced one.

Bryce Wells, at 9:30 pm EDT on November 1, 2008

SP, Just because a rule is “arcane and complex” doesn’t make it invalid or even impossible. I have known some people to not tell the whole story about why they were denied visas. While opinions about American policy vary year-to-year, there will always been a healthy market of students wanting to study in the US, where they are free to spew all sorts of anti-US rhetoric (as it is protected in the US, but not necessarily in their country.) I have noticed no difference in attitudes between science and “non-science” majors regarding whether they want to study in the US. They all do.

Larry, at 8:55 am EDT on August 9, 2006

reply to Helen

Helen, For the most part, the answer is “maybe.” “The Nations Taxpayer” funds many things directly or indirectly. The “states” taxpayer does as well. Since schools are recipients of government funding then it is virtually impossible to prevent a given foreign student from receiving at least some tax-payer supplied benefit.

On the other hand, there are certain programs, funded by government agencies, that directly fund foreign scholars. These programs probably do a lot of good (if properly administered). For one, they bring the world’s “best and brightest” to work at our universities. For another, provided that the scholars return home, they will generally return home with positive images of Americans. If they become the elite in their home countries, they may work towards American-style democracy in their country (or at least use American models of “what works.”) Or, on a more practical matter, a foreign government official with direct ties to American academics will be more receptive to American diplomats arguments in the course of day to say diplomacy.

That said, we should be on guard against: 1) people who are not really scholars; 2) people who are not really working; and 3) students that don’t really want to go back home.

Larry, at 11:25 am EDT on August 9, 2006

international students are good for the US!

After reading some of the comments above, I felt compelled to respond. I work in international education and I know very well the difficulties that many international students face when trying to come to the United States. Delays in resolving simple issues can last as long as six months. The truth of the matter, Larry, the US needs international students and scholars. We Americans are not that good in science, math, and engineering and international students provide us with excellent researchers, scholars, scientists, etc. They strengthen many programs. Even if this were not true, I would not support your contention.

International students present Americans with wonderful opportunities to embrace and learn about new cultures and languages. It is stupid and ignorant to assume that they are here to “spew anti-American rhetoric.” This assumption is indicative of someone who has never left the US.

People who worry about how taxpayer money is funding programs such as international exchange should instead focus on much more serious and disturbing issues such as how taxpayers now have to finance Superfund, the federal government’s lethargic response to the Katrina rescue effort, and the ongoing war in Iraq.

Having international students on US campuses benefits not only the colleges or universities where they are studying, but the local community as well. This is an excellent opportunity to inculcate understanding and friendship among different people and this should be recognized by Larry and people who think like him.

We must guard against nativist hatemongers posing as patriots, and we should welcome international students as new members of our communities—we all benefit from this type of exchange.

Tom Millington, Program Officer at BCA, at 2:25 pm EDT on August 9, 2006

Must side with Tom here

I, too, work in international education and agree that it is a win-win in all regards, whether the student returns home and becomes a goodwill ambassador, or whether the student remains in the U.S., becomes a permanent resident, and eventually a U.S. citizen.

Recruiting the best and the brightest students who choose to emigrate is one way to ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront, not only in the field of technology, but all disciplines. Many of these students eventually obtain doctoral degrees and stay to teach our young people and/or conduct research at our universities. We can’t afford to lose these brilliant minds to other countries.

Keep in mind, too, that immigration is what has strengthened our country and has made it into the economic powerhouse it is today.

Two comments for those of you saying, “but what about those who stay to work in companies- they’re taking jobs away from Americans!": (1) the American public education system is seriously lacking (this is a completely different subject, but the fact is, students are not being adequately prepared for university-level work in technological-related disciplines) so there exists a need within companies to hire non-immigrants, and (2) there is already in place a government-imposed limit on the number of non-immigrant workers issued visas each year.

Finally, a personal statement to Mancow Muller, who, this morning stated on-air (in reference to the missing Egyptian students), “why do we have to educate these people? They have schools in Egypt"- educate YOURSELF. I’m stepping off my soapbox now. Peace out-

Maria, at 10:35 am EDT on August 10, 2006