Ball State is prepared to use a new system for tracking international students. The system is required by the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).
Universities across the country that fail to meet the new system's Jan. 30 deadline will not be permitted to accept new foreign students before compliance. Information on students already enrolled is due Aug. 1.
The new Internet-based tracking system is called the Student and Exchange Visa Information Service (SEVIS) and has been in operation since Jan. 1. The system is a replacement for the previous paper-based system.
Kirk Robey, associate director of the Center for International Programs, said Ball State will be ready for the deadline because the university began implementing the system early. Ball State was authorized by the INS to begin using SEVIS on Sept. 17, 2002. `"We've been called over-achievers. We didn't want to wait to automate because the process takes time and resources," Robey said. "We knew five years ago that this system was coming. The events of Sept. 11 sped the process up."
According to Robey, the information has always been stored, but schools are now learning to stay current and organize it.
Robey characterizes the system as very slow to log on to.
"You can see that it was written by bureaucrats and programmers, because the flow of information is unrealistic and awkward," Robey said.
An alternate file system is available to schools that have an enrollment high enough to render the individual data processing of each international student a logistical nightmare. The alternate system utilizes batch files and automatically processes data on each student.
The decision to choose a type of tracking system is left to the discretion of each university, Robey said.
"Our enrollment numbers of international students are approaching the size that would make a batch system necessary, but we decided to do it online," Robey said.
So far, there have been no problems with the system, Robey said.
Robey has noticed that the greatest scrutiny has been paid to students from Middle-Eastern nations such as Saudi Arabia. He has not noticed special scrutiny paid to students of Indian nationality. However, students from Pakistan have described increased attention from officials since Sept. 11.
Despite the new SEVIS system, students are still required to travel to the Indianapolis INS office for special registration. Robey will soon take van loads for the next series of registration.
"Students shouldn't be worried. The INS in Indianapolis are helpful and friendly," Robey said.
One aspect of SEVIS is on-site inspections.
"Since we're early, we don't get inspected before the deadline," said Robey. He expects that by August, a contractor will visit campus and pull student files at random to ensure that the system is complete.
Robey said BSU is not under high scrutiny because it has been approved to have international students since 1946.
"Flight schools and technology schools are under greater scrutiny. Lots of schools are going to be in a real rush," Robey said.
Some international students have felt the pressure of increased security measures.
"I think that the system is flamboyant and overemphasized," said sophomore Christopher McLaughlin, an international student from the Republic of Ireland. "I always kind of fear for myself because I've been reminded often that I have to stay in line. Many officials have been very aggressive and very blunt."
Students who feel confused about requests for information have free resources on campus.
"Our services are available on all issues. Referrals can be issued if we cannot assist a student on a particular issue," said John Connor, attorney for Student Legal Services.
Robey advises students to take a full course load.
"We provide directory information under the guidelines of the Buckley Amendment," Robey said. "We've never been subpoenaed for anything more."
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, also known as the Buckley Amendment, states that students have a right to keep grades and other records private from parents and guardians.
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