Spring Break
Concerns rise about the sharp decline in Salem's international student population
Smriti Shrestha
Issue date: 10/23/08 Section: News
The news that there would be only one international student in the incoming first-year class of 2012 shocked many in the Salem community.
Senior Betlhem Zewdiebe Teka, a chemistry major said, "I was really shocked when I first heard this. It was really sad to see that there are no international students in this year's general chemistry class. I remember my first-year general chemistry class when almost 50% of the students were international students."
One of the main factors that has been attributed to this sharp decline is the doubling of the cost required for international students to attend Salem.
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Katherine Knapp Watts acknowledged that while the college in no way wanted to send the message that Salem did not want international students, this decrease was in part brought about by the institutional decision to change the financial aid available to international students.
Watts said, "The pattern and history of how cost had been set for international students was examined by the board and administration. While tuition and other costs have increased steadily, the cost for international students to attend Salem had only been increased by $1000, once in 15 years."
"It was time to have an increase, but the increase was very large and came as a surprise to our international students," added Watts.
Watts, a 1980 graduate of Salem College, has been working in this position for 15 months. However, she has worked at Salem previously in other capacities. Watts said that discussions about restructuring the financial aid for international students had been taking place even before her appointment.
The admissions office has been taking various initiatives to increase enrollment of international students in future classes. "Before we have taken what has come to us, but now because we have had a sharp decline, we have to take the initiative to reach out more … we have to make sure that our word is out there," said Watts.
Senior Betlhem Zewdiebe Teka, a chemistry major said, "I was really shocked when I first heard this. It was really sad to see that there are no international students in this year's general chemistry class. I remember my first-year general chemistry class when almost 50% of the students were international students."
One of the main factors that has been attributed to this sharp decline is the doubling of the cost required for international students to attend Salem.
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid Katherine Knapp Watts acknowledged that while the college in no way wanted to send the message that Salem did not want international students, this decrease was in part brought about by the institutional decision to change the financial aid available to international students.
Watts said, "The pattern and history of how cost had been set for international students was examined by the board and administration. While tuition and other costs have increased steadily, the cost for international students to attend Salem had only been increased by $1000, once in 15 years."
"It was time to have an increase, but the increase was very large and came as a surprise to our international students," added Watts.
Watts, a 1980 graduate of Salem College, has been working in this position for 15 months. However, she has worked at Salem previously in other capacities. Watts said that discussions about restructuring the financial aid for international students had been taking place even before her appointment.
The admissions office has been taking various initiatives to increase enrollment of international students in future classes. "Before we have taken what has come to us, but now because we have had a sharp decline, we have to take the initiative to reach out more … we have to make sure that our word is out there," said Watts.
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