Visiting Russian educators have agreed to talk about their life and answer questions about their culture in an open forum discussion with the public tonight at 7 p.m. in Ballroom C in the Student Center.

The Russians arrived in Carbondale in the beginning of July to attend a series of lectures on the American political system given by political science and law faculty at SIUC .

Scott Hays, faculty advisor of the Sophist Society, an undergraduate political science organization, said he saw a good opportunity to discuss issues with the Russians and took advantage of it by informing his students.

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Hays, a political science professor, and a few SIUC students organized the Russian Roundtable, open to anyone interested in meeting and conversing with the Russians.

There is no set time on how long the discussion will last, Hays said. There are eighteen Russians from different areas who know what is going on in Russia today.

Eric Simmons, a senior in political science from Anna and one of the students organizing the talk, said they put out fliers to inform the public about the talk.

We just asked the Russians when was a good time for them to come, and set a date and place and that was pretty much it, Simmons said.

John Jackson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, said the Russian Roundtable is an exchange of views on what is happening today.

We are trying to make sure the University community knows it is available, Jackson said. A lot of people in the University community are interested in what is going on in Russia today, and they can find out from people (Russians) that are well-educated and know.

Simmons said the issues discussed at the Russian Roundtable do not have to be political.

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Most Russians have summer houses and I wanted to ask them about where they have theirs, Simmons said. I am more interested in the social aspects of Russia.

Chad Jones, a senior in aviation from Petersburg, said he was interested in Russian economics in the new republic.

I want to find out the differences between the different regions in Russia, Jones said. What direction are the Russians going politically?

Larissa Vilorovna Baybakova, a Russian educator from Moscow State University, said she has no idea what the talk will be like, but she will be there.

Simmons said those organizing the talk are hoping a large number from the public will show.