Section A · Page 6
The University Daily Kansan
Monday, December 7, 1998
U.S. international-student enrollment increases
University's numbers differ from nation's
By Melissa Ngo
Kansas wire editor
Kansan wire editor
The overall number of international students attending U.S. colleges and universities increased during the 1997-98 school year, but the University of Kansas' international student enrollment has decreased steadily during the last five years.
This fall, 1,526 international students are enrolled at the University, 5 percent less than the 1,607 enrolled last year and 26 percent less than the 2,067 international students enrolled in 1994, according to the Office of Institutional Research and Planning.
The number of international students attending colleges and universities in the United States increased 5.1 percent in the 1997-98 school year to a total of 481,280 according to a report released yesterday.
But among countries competing for international students, the U.S. share of such students has continued to slip.
The study - which also found that the number of U.S. students studying abroad increased by 11.4 percent to nearly 100,000 - was prepared by the Institute of International Education, a leading private agency in the international exchange of people and ideas.
New York City led the nation's cities with 29,855 international students. California was the leader among states, followed by New York, Texas, Massachusetts and Florida.
But the U.S. share of students studying abroad has dropped from 40 percent to 30 percent during the last 15 years, mostly because tuition costs in this country have climbed and other countries have offered attractive alternatives.
Great Britain, Canada, Australia, France and Germany were cited as countries that often lure foreign students. Institute officials say that universities overseas often charge half the tuition of more than $20,000 a year levied by some top private universities in this country.
The steady decline in the U.S. share of international students is a cause for concern despite the increase in the number of students last year, said Allan Goodman, president of the institute.
The cause of the shrinking market share is largely economic, he said.
Asian students make up more than half of the international student enrollment in this country, led by students from Japan, China and Korea.
The universities that have been most successful at maintaining their foreign student enrollment have been those that actively recruit such students and work at making them feel welcome, said David Arnold, executive vice president of the Institute.
He said some schools that have
Jason Benavides/KANSAN
aggressively worked to keep their Asian students have sought private support for their schooling, and many schools have increased their recruiting in Latin America and the Middle East.
"We have not seen the drop that we were projecting in students from some of the countries with economic problems," Arnold said. The Associated Press contributed
Student group features alumni mentors
By Pallavi Agarwal
Kansan staff writer
A few University of Kansas students will be batting finals week blues with a free pasta buffet at the Adams Alumni Center.
These students are part of a new program, started this semester by the Student Alumni Association, that offers a mentor program and discounts from area businesses.
Kendall Day, St. Francis senior and Student Alumni Association president, said that 130 students were expected for the buffet.
A highlight of the program is the Hawk Talk mentor program that matches members with KU alumni across the country.
Members turn in information on their background, course interests
and preferred region of their mentors.
"The only thing we ask is that students contact the mentors at least once," said Brandon Labarge, Overland Park senior and Student Alumni Association Vice President of New Student Membership.
Nichole Salters, Frankenmuth, Michigan, junior, said that she planned to make contact with her mentor soon.
"This is an excellent opportunity," she said. "I have got a mentor in my job field, and I'm looking forward to contacting her."
Although students are expected to contact the mentors for general information, a few have been lucky with job hook-ups, said Labarge.
Labarge said it was too early to gauge the efficiency of the program.
"The only thing we ask is that students contact the mentors at least once."
Brandon Labarae
Student Alumni Association Vice President of New Student Membership
"We are just getting started," he said. "We will be sending a survey at the end of the year."
Right now, the program has 350 members and the goal is to increase it to at least 500 at the end of the academic year.
"Most other campuses with such programs have anywhere from 1,000 to 5,000 students," he said.
other perks like a free T-shirt, a KU glass and opportunities to participate in a few social functions organized by the association. Members belonging to the program don't have to be Student Alumni Association members.
This semester, 15 area businesses have offered students discounts ranging from 5 to 15 percent.
The $15 annual fee offers members
Next semester, at least five new companies will be participating in the program, said Labarge.
"The program benefits students. It is not just designed for students, although it helps them a lot. It gives companies exposure on campus and gives students avenues to get their needs fulfilled." he said.
Day hoped that in coming years, the program would expand to include more benefits for the members.
Weak sales close Terraplane Bicycles and Goods
Store's products being liquidated
By Chris Fickett Kansan staff writer
off the store's debt to its bank.
Terraplane Bicycles and Goods has closed, and a private auctioneer is liquidating the store's merchandise.
Mike Combest, former owner of Terraplane, 925 Iowa St., said that simple mathematics was why the store closed in early November.
Combest said that sales receipts were not enough to pay
"It is easier to make money when you start with it," he said. "I've never had money, and I probably never will have money."
Terraplane operated for four years. The store was on Massachusetts Street in Downtown Lawrence before moving to Iowa Street in August 1997.
Combesd said that his bicycle store was not the only such business closing. He said that bicycle sales had dropped off nationwide in the past few years.
Combest also said that people were not as interested in the
health aspect of cycling as people were in the 1980s and that people who used bicycles as a mode of transportation were scared off by high prices.
"Bicycles have turned into a very big fashion thing," he said. "That's sent the prices right through the roof."
Jill Tisdale, Lawrence freshman, thought that Terraplane's move from downtown to Iowa Street caused the store to go out of business.
"Downtown is the only place where a small business can think about succeeding," she said.
However, Combest said that
CLOSING AND LIQUIDATION SALE
Terraplane Bicycles and Goods, 925 Iowa St., closed Nov. 5 because of financial difficulties.
having the store on Iowa Street was a gain for Terraplane.
"It enabled us to do new things," he said.
Combes worked at a bicycle shop in St. Louis in the 1980s before coming to Lawrence and opening Terraplane.
Despite Terraplane's failure,
Combesaid that opening a business was an excellent edu
- A private auctioneer is liquidating the store's merchandise.
- All store merchandise is 40 percent off the sale price.
"I'd recommend it to anyone," he said.
cation.
Combest said that if the bicycle market improved, he would definitely attempt to open another bicycle shop.
"It's what I've done my entire life," he said. "We had a really good groove going, and it's a shame to see the store go."
No charges filed in two accidents that hurt students
By Keith Burner
Kansan staff writer
Two KU students are in fair condition at the University of Kansas Medical Center after being hospitalized in two separate alcohol-related accidents last month.
Dorothy Sarah Kay, Lawrence freshman, was taken to the Med Center by helicopter in the early morning hours of Nov. 27 after she was struck by a pickup while crossing at Kentucky and 11th streets. Lawrence police said.
The truck that struck Kay, 19, was driven by a 22-year-old Wichita man, who police said failed a field sobriety test.
Police interviewed but did not arrest the man.
The case was sent to the district attorney's office, where charges will be filed at the district attorney's discretion.
Justin Barron, San Ramon, Calif., junior, also was taken to the Med Center by helicopter after he and two other students were struck by a pickup Nov. 21 on Massachusetts Street, Lawrence police said.
The other two students were hospitalized in critical condition, but they have recovered and were released from area hospitals.
Police also have not yet charged this driver.
The driver in this accident also failed a field sobriety test, Lawrence police said.
"If we prematurely charge someone with a lesser charge, statutes make it nearly impossible to convict that person for a more serious charge," said Lawrence police Sct. George Wheeler.
He said that those charges could include homicide if either of the students should die.
Frankie Barker, Med Center nursing supervisor, said that she expected Barron and Kay to fully recover.
Police still did not know what, if any, charges would be filed against the drivers in the accidents.
A spokesperson for the district attorney's office would not comment, except to say that if any charges were filed, they would be filed soon.
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