Boosting the highest percentage of international undergraduates in the Ivy League and $7.5 million awarded annually in loans to foreign students, Penn - which also admitted its highest percentage of international students early this cycle - has become one of the most internationally diverse schools in the nation.
But school administrators said at yesterday's University Council meeting they want to ensure Penn continues to become more international over the coming years.
A large contingent of students and faculty turned up for the meeting - the first of 2007 - held at the Bodek Lounge in Houston Hall.
Administrators called for new actions to make it easier for international students to come to Penn and announced several measures recently implemented.
Among the items discussed was the implementation of an International Student Advisory Board to help "decrease unnecessary barriers" for international applicants, University President Amy Gutmann said.
Gutmann said it is Penn's goal to have "better access for international students" and to make it clear to the world that "we want international students in our country."
Administrators also announced plans for better financial-aid options for international students.
"Our student body grows more international each year," Gutmann said. But "we can only admit a small percentage of international students because we don't have enough aid to admit all the international students who need aid."
According to Penn's admissions Web site, the University is "able to offer financial assistance to very few students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., Canada or Mexico."
This year, Penn increased the amount in loans given to international students by $2 million. Measures like these - in addition to a planned expansion of course offerings that will "encourage students to think in more global ways," Provost Ron Daniels said - go hand-in-hand with Daniels's goal to give Penn "a climate that cherishes and embraces international perspectives."
Audience members echoed their support for that mission.
"I think Penn is a better place due to its international society," Associate Vice Provost for University Life Max King said. "The University is always moving" on this issue.
College and Wharton senior Brett Thalmann, chairman of the Undergraduate Assembly, likewise said he was pleased to see Penn working on improving international diversity.
"It's definitely very important," he said, adding it was one of the focuses of the Undergraduate Assembly meeting earlier this week.
