OISS Services and the International Student Fee Office of International Students & Scholars March 2009

OISS, Our Budget and Our Funding Services Staffing General Budget Resources and Expenses The International Student Fee

OISS Mission Statement The Office of International Students and Scholars of the University of Iowa provides leadership in international education and intercultural learning through services to international students and scholars, their dependents, the University, and the surrounding community. We enhance the academic, cultural, and social pursuits of our students and scholars through exceptional immigration and personal advising as well as outstanding cross-cultural programming and training.

Populations We Serve Nearly 2,400 international students Approximately 450 international scholars (post-docs, researchers, visiting professors) 500-600 dependent spouses and children All populations are anticipated to grow Significant increase in undergraduate international applicants Graduate international applicants remaining about the same

Primary Functions of OISS Advising Immigration Adjustment Personal Group Information Sessions OISS Update Tax Seminars and CINTAX Programming & Outreach Orientation Life in Iowa Employment Workshops Support for OASIS and Other Student Organizations FIS and IWC Advocacy Building Our Global Community Workshops Community Advocacy and Training Statistical Reporting New Student Recruiting

Current Staffing Director (Scott King) Intercultural Programs Manager (Helen Jameson) 4 International Student & Scholar Advisors (Lee Seedorff (Senior Advisor), Sophie Charles, Julie Pollock, Tim Barker) 1 Project Assistant (Shannon Lizakowski) 2 Secretaries (Ann Drop, Michelle Snyder) 1 Graduate Assistant (50%, fiscal year appointment) 1 Student Tax Peer Advisor 3 General Student Employees

OISS Budget Total FY 2009 operating budget is approximately $710,000 Personnel expenses are $625,100 (88%) Non-personnel Expenses: $57,300 (8%) Orientation: $18,500 Advising: $13,000 OISS staff support and development: $8,000 Student programs and development: $9,700 Scholar programs: $1,700 Campus training and development: $2,000 Student Aid (Hardship Fund): $27,600 (4%) As a unit of International Programs, a large portion of non-salary expenses are paid through general International Programs overhead, and thus are not broken out independently (examples: copying, postage, technology)

Major Categories of Expenses

Where the Budget Comes From Approximately $477 from GEF; $190 from ISF; $34,000 from Orient; $9,000 from scholar $100 scholar fee; $235 orientation fee—we get 75% of that or $176.25

The International Student Fee Implemented in Fall 2001 Is charged to students attending UI with an educational (F or J) immigration status Fee from 2001-Summer 2006 $40/semester for fall and spring semesters $20 for summer term Increased in Fall 2006 $60/semester for fall and spring semesters $30 for summer term No increase for 2009-2010 academic year

Use of the International Student Fee

Use of the International Student Fee Staff Salaries Two advisor salaries and part of a support staff salary Student Salary Tax Peer Advisor Non-personnel Expenses Tax advising software Allocation for OASIS Student workshops Student participation in Iowa International Fellows Program Essay Contest awards

The Hardship Fund Board of Regents’ policy requires that 16% of the fees collected be used for student aid The OISS Hardship Fund is used for unexpected, emergency needs Allocations made by committee of OISS staff members No reimbursement is required of student, but if student does reimburse any funds allocated the amount is returned to the Hardship Fund

Examples of Hardship Allocations Assistance with excessive medical co-payments caused by a major injury when a tree fell on a student Partial travel support for family traveling home after brother killed in terrorist attack Transitional funds for student impacted by sudden dramatic decline in value of home currency and new currency regulations Assistance with past-due childcare costs for a student whose spouse was being treated for clinical depression

Other Student Fees Computer Fee: $122.50-$300 Student Activities Fee: $30 Student Services Fee: $32.50 Student Union Fee: $52 Building Fee: $59.50 Health Fee: $105.00

Other Existing OISS Fees Currently $100 administrative fee for J-1 visiting scholars Receive 75% of a graduate student orientation fee that is administered by the Office of Admissions Future Proposals An undergraduate international student orientation fee of $120 has been requested and is before the Regents for approval (this is in addition to the $235 acceptance fee paid by undergraduate international students; OISS does not get any portion of the acceptance fee) Looking to change visiting scholar fee to increasing amounts depending upon length of stay

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