DE Assistant Politics Editor

Despite the shutdown of U.S. embassies and consulates last month during the federal budget impasse, most SIUC international students were able to obtain visas and make it to the United States in time for classes, a University official says.

Starting in December, White House officials and Congressional members could not reach an agreement about the federal budget, causing a shutdown of several federal agencies. The agencies that were shut down included those needed by SIUC international students to obtain their visas.

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Prior to the first day of classes, Carla Coppi, associate director of International Students and Scholars, said some international students had been calling from overseas, expressing their concern of not making it to classes on time.

Charles van Rossum, coordinator of Student Development, said he was only aware of two international students that were affected by the federal government shutdown.

The University agreed to allow entry to international students up to Jan. 22. One of the delayed students from Japan was back by the deadline, and the other student, from Korea, was not able to make it back to campus until Jan. 31, van Rossum said.

According to van Rossum, the Korean student notified the University Jan. 17 that it would be impossible for him to be back in time for classes because of problems obtaining a visa. He said it is up to the College of Technical Careers (where the student is enrolled) as to how the situation will be dealt with.

As to making up lost classes, in any case, it’s the academic institution that has the sole prerogative on how to treat the student, van Rossum said.

The student and the academic adviser could not be reached for comment.

Coppi said she had not received any calls from students who were going to be delayed getting back to SIUC.

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I think it worked out better than anyone expected, Coppi said. It looks like most students got visas and were able to join us. We had international students floating in and out during the first week of school.

Coppi said 127 new international students are enrolled at SIUC for the spring semester.