UA seeks changes to Penn's study abroad policies

The Undergraduate Assembly recently recommended changes to study abroad programs and international student representation in its first resolution of the semester. The resolution -- which was well-received by the Office of International Programs -- includes statements about grades earned abroad, the cost of going abroad, expanding study abroad options, the location of the Office of International Programs and recognition of international student concerns. "Current policies continue to disadvantage certain students who go abroad and disadvantage students who choose not to go abroad," said UA Chairman Michael Bassik, a College senior. The first section of the resolution recommends that Penn should not factor grades earned abroad into a student's overall GPA, as some students perceive studying abroad as a way to inflate GPAs. "While I felt like my classes were much easier, my grades did not reflect the easiness of my classes," said College junior Victoria Taylor, who recently studied in Lyon, France. "In general, however, I think that study abroad programs generally grade easier." The resolution also addresses the cost of studying abroad. Currently, students who study abroad pay full Penn tuition -- in addition to the study abroad fee. Also, Penn does not routinely award credits if students participate in non-Penn-approved study abroad programs. Bassik said that consequently, students often do not have the option of choosing a more inexpensive program. "It seems that Penn engages in selling grades and selling credits when students choose to go abroad," Bassik said. The UA resolution suggests that students only pay the tuition for the universities they study at and any study abroad fees. The third portion of the resolution seeks to expand study abroad options, suggesting that Penn allow students to apply for more than one program so they might study abroad via their second or third choices. The body also suggests that students be allowed to apply to programs not affiliated with Penn. Next, the fourth section of the resolution includes the UA's suggestion to move OIP to a "more centrally located, resource-rich facility on campus," as its current location in Bennett Hall inadequately serves international student needs. And the final section of the resolution suggests that the University take international student's concerns more seriously when making policy decisions. College junior and international student George Pissis, along with a group of international friends, first approached the UA about international student concerns when they discovered the shortening of next year's winter break. The shorter break gives international students less time at home before the spring semester begins. "We realized that there is nothing that can be done to change the length [of winter break] for next year, but we just agreed that the change should be made so it can be taken into consideration for the future," Pissis said. The UA will be working with the Student Committee on Undergraduate Education on the resolution. It will try to gain the support of the Provost's Office and various international student organizations. SCUE Chairwoman Lindsey Mathews, a College junior, expressed her enthusiasm about working with the UA on the issues brought forth in the resolution. "How Penn takes care of [the international student] community is something SCUE takes seriously," she said. According to Joyce Randolph, executive director of international programs, OIP appreciates the attention that the UA's resolution places on international student concerns. "We appreciate certainly that the UA has formulated a stance on it, and it will help us... move forward with our discussion," she said. "It happens so often at Penn that various entities will alter schedules and configurations and they don't realize that there will be some deleterious effects on international students," Randolph added. Randolph also expressed concern about the elimination of CUPID and said that international students have not been adequately informed about Campus Express, which allows for students to register e-mail accounts and sign up for PennCards online. International students will "no longer have a central location to get a lot of practical matters resolved," she said. Director of International Student and Scholar Services Shalini Dev Bhutani agreed. "It brings into relief the whole issue about Campus Express and CUPID, and what kind of effect that really has on not just international students but also all Penn students studying abroad," Bhutani said.