A continuing decrease in SIUC’s international student enrollment is the result of other countries and colleges stepping up their recruiting processes and has the University reevaluating its recruiting procedures.

Carla Coppi, assistant director of International Programs and Services, said that according to the latest figures, SIUC is No. 10 in international student enrollment in the nation and has been in the top 20 since 1970.

However, she said, SIUC international student enrollment numbers are dropping.

Advertisement

A study done by International Students & Scholars reported that the total number of international students at SIUC in 1995 is 1,721, down from 1,979 in 1994 and 2,185 in 1993. Coppi said there are many reasons why the international student enrollment is dropping at SIUC, including foreign competition.

Coppi said international students from South and Southeast Asia are being recruited away from SIUC because countries like Malaysia, New Zealand and Australia have a distinct advantage over Carbondale because they are closer to the homelands.

Logistically, they got the sweeter deal, she said.

Coppi said multi-culturalism is the buzz word of the 90s, and all colleges are sensing a need to expose domestic students to international students and cultures. She said domestic students need to prepare for the global environment.

They can’t avoid it, Coppi said. No matter what field they go into.

Diane Hodgson, SIUC foreign student adviser, said one reason for the enrollment problem is that other colleges have geared up their recruiting processes.

What’s happening now is that more universities than ever before are recruiting international students, Hodgson said.

Advertisement*

Hodgson said SIUC needs to look ahead on how to recruit international students. She said a new International Student Recruitment Committee is one step in the right direction.

Hodgson said the committee uses video tapes and promotional materials, and decides where to advertise SIUC to enhance recruitment.

We are doing things right now that continue to make us a contender in the enrollment of international students, she said.

Coppi said international students are a big market and a major source of revenue for SIUC because they pay out-of-state tuition, which is three times in-state students’ tuition.

Coppi said international students come to SIUC because they hear about it through word of mouth, or someone they know has gone to SIUC.

We never needed to recruit before, Coppi said.

Carol Henry, budget office director, said the budget office just turned in the income funds for out-of-state students, and the impact of the declining international student enrollment will not be known for another week or two.