UO American English Institute requests faculty feedback on international student academic needs

With international enrollment at the University of Oregon nearing 12 percent, faculty feedback is being sought on international student academic needs.

The American English Institute is asking faculty to complete a short survey that will help the institute set curricular, policy and support priorities. The survey was distributed recently in the Teaching Effectiveness Program e-newsletter.

At just under 3,000 students, UO’s fall 2013 international enrollment broke records for the ninth year running: this year’s enrollment represents a 16 percent increase from just last year, and about a 140 percent increase from five years ago, according to preliminary statistics.

For the first time, UO international students are paying an additional fee of $125/term, which will be phased up to $200/term in the year 2016. This fee will be waived for the 10 percent of students with the greatest financial need.

“We want to use the fee to shore up existing, and provide new services for these students,” said Abe Schafermeyer, director of International Student and Scholar Services in the Office of International Affairs. His office is reaching out to students, faculty and staff to identify support priorities in addition to the new staffing lines already planned for his office and others that offer student advising.

- from “UO International Enrollment Nears 12 Percent, Units Seek to Shore Up Support,” by Lee Rumbarger, director, Teaching Effectiveness Program