SIUC often has been recognized for its ability to bring international students to Carbondale to receive a quality education.

In the past several years, however, those impressive numbers have dwindled. The SIUC Institutional Studies Factbook for 1996-97 states that since 1993, international enrollment has fallen 30 percent, from 2,193 to 1,520.

On Friday, international students had a workshop to voice reasons they feel are responsible for the decline, and it is time for the administration to listen to their concerns with genuine interest.

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The students cited increased tuition, problems with the transfer of class credit and reduced positive word-of-mouth relations from students attending SIUC.

Administrators have said in the past that something needs to be done. But as of yet, nothing has been done. This problem has been in the limelight now for several years, and it is time to take some action.

Listening to students’ concerns is a good place to start. The administration should try to find out what international students think are the high and low points of the University. Just talking to the students would be a positive action.

The point was made in the past that international students come to SIUC, only to leave after a few years to attend a more prestigious university for nearly the same tuition. Perhaps the administration could find a way to extend more scholarship opportunities or re-examine its current tuition policy toward international students.

In the present wave of recruitment and retention hysteria, the administration must not forget about the international interests of this university.

International enrollment at SIUC once ranked eighth in the nation, according to the Chronicle of Higher Education. But now the University does not appear in the top 20.

It is unfortunate when a university that puts pride in its international interests with campuses on foreign soil cannot impress international students enough for them to attend or remain at this university.

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The administration needs to start working with students to find a solution to problems. The diversity and international appeal often have been the key points of interest to this university, and it would be unfortunate to lose that appeal completely.