Montana State University Bozeman - Montanan Yearbook (Bozeman, MT)

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FOREIGN STUDENT ENROLLMENT Enrollment of foreign students has risen correspondingly with general MSU student population, according to Director of International Education Don Clark. MSU has enrolled about 350 foreign students this fall, said Clark, 30 more than last year. The majority, surprisingly enough, come from Malaysia, a small nation in Southeast Asia. The country, represented by only one student at MSU four years ago, now has 75 students here. Apparently what has happened is that the British schools have severely cut the number of foreign students they are allowing in, through stricter standards and reduced aid, Clark noted. The Malaysian students are finding that American schools 3rc the way to go. Close behind are Canada and Iran, last year's leader. Iranians numbered about 75 last year, said Clark, but their ranks have recently dwindled to about 50 students. “Obviously, the Iranians are having a harder time getting out of the country,” he said. Forty-five different countries are represented at MSU, including Nepal, Scandi- navia and Latin America. Every continent is also represented, including Greenland. Two main factors are instrumental in luring non-U.S. citizens to American universities. First, said Clark, “America is the technological giant of the world, Prospective students come to the U S. to get a good education, then return to their technically deficient homelands. Secondly, he said, the devaluation of the dollar made American university tuition cheaper. 'An American education is a better buy, Clark said. “Even though the dollar is now strengthening, the trend has begun and will continue, I think. What attracts international students specifically to Montana? According to the Institute of International Education, Montana colleges and universities registered a total of 639 foreign students in 1981-82, a 24.6 percent jump from the previous year. This is the largest increase recorded by any of the 50 states. MSU and Montana Tech, two of the best schools in the business, offer undoubtedly the most attractive curriculum to international students — engineering. About half of MSU's foreigners are enrolled in this area, mainly chemical engineering and mechanical engineering. “Those are areas where they have desperate needs, Clark said. The International Education Department has established a new program this year. Titled International Nieces and Nephews (INN), the program will utilize American students to help foreign students adapt to U.S. culture and language. This will replace the current advisor system. Students arc encouraged to apply for the program, said Clark. The effect of mingling among foreign and American student is incredibly broadening,” he added. International students seem to enjoy their stay in the Treasure State, said Clark, which may help explain their ever-increasing numbers. Overall, they adjust very, very well to Montana, he said. Generally they seem to adapt very easily, except for the weather. —Mark ReinseJ WELCOM VMRtt r ai =e%NVON»l.

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FILM TV STUDENTS QUIETLY AWAIT OPENING OF NEW BUILDING MSU's new film and television building has doubled the capacity of enrollment in the film, television, and photography courses on campus. Paul Jesswein, actingfilm and televsion department head, said the photography option in particular has been severely limited with restrictions on enrollment because of a lack of space in the past. An average of about 300 students have been enrolled in the option in past years. Now many more will be able to enroll in the many photography classes that will be offered in the new facilities. The 39,245-square-foot Visual Communications Building was ready for classes in the fall of 1983. However, because of funding restrictions, the department wasn't fully equipped for all classes. The rest of the building will be equipped as monies arc received. Jesswein believes that the department will sec a sharp increase in enrollment in the Film and Television options. Other majors, such as art, require some of the film, televsion, and photography classes for their students also. Now the film and TV department can better accomodate these students. The application of film, televsion, and photography courses in other fields is quite obvious Jesswein has said. And those course offerings will be explored more fully in the future. The general, electrical, and mechanical contracts for the film and television building totaled S3,516,650. Construction funds for the Visual Communications Building were approved by the 1981 Legislature, following 10 years of pleas and planning by MSU officials. The new building provides MSU film and televsion majors with one of the most advanced and best equipped facilities in the United States to study and learn in.