In the negativity surrounding the recent crash of the Asian economy, there has been at least one positive idea the interest of SIUC administrators in building a new campus in Malaysia.

Administrators are hopeful that a new campus, similar to the one in Nakajo, Japan, could become a reality. Although it is important to expand the reach of SIUC, it also is important to remember the problems here.

SIUC international enrollment has dropped about 30 percent since 1993. SIUC was ranked eighth in the nation for international enrollment by the Chronicle of Higher Education in 1986 but did not even appear in the top 20 of 1996.

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Reaching out to other nations with satellite campuses is one avenue to combat dropping enrollment, but it will not solve all the problems. The campus at Nakajo was designed to bring international students to SIUC, and a Malaysian campus should function similarly. But simply bringing international students to SIUC is not enough.

The larger problem at SIUC is attracting and keeping not only international students, but domestic students as well. Administrators are focusing on the enrollment figures with a keen eye, trying to find ways to bring students to Carbondale and keeping them here for the duration of their college studies.

Fixing the problems at this University can begin in a variety of ways.

In November, a guest column in the Daily Egyptian raised concerns about the poor conditions in testing centers for international students.

Others, including domestic students, complain about the $9 fee for remaining in the dorms during breaks. Often it can be these subtle inconveniences that influence how SIUC is portrayed.

Some administrators have expressed the importance of word-of-mouth advertising by international students. How can SIUC expect a good recommendation from its students if they are not happy?

Fixing the problems at SIUC would enhance the educational experience for all students. Giving students the opportunity for a quality education would improve the ability of the University to attract and retain students.

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Focusing on keeping up with cutting-edge technology and improving student services would improve the learning experience.

There has been discussion of decreasing tuition, both for international and out-of-state students. Easing the financial burden is a good idea, but a more affordable price tag must not mean a cheaper education. SIUC has been known as an affordable university, but there is a need to have good programs to keep students.

A lot of attention also has been given to improving the image of the University. Instead of trying to conceal problems under a glossy exterior image, like satellite campuses, the administration should examine and repair the problems here.

SIUC is known as a campus full of diversity, and the administration must find a way to bring SIUC back to the top of the list in that category. A new international campus would be nice, but so would improvements to this campus. One must not replace the other.