University to cover future SEVIS costs

The university will absorb the future costs of operating and maintaining its Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

Chancellor John Wiley based his decision on the recommendation of a shared-governance advisory committee made up of students, staff, faculty and administrators, chaired by Dean of Students Luoluo Hong. Wiley cited the university’s long-standing position of covering the costs of international student services, as well as the importance of international students to the research and teaching missions of the university.

Earlier this year, the university met federal requirements and timelines for the implementation of SEVIS, an Internet-based system that maintains information on international students and scholars.

Initially, the university planned to charge international students a $50 per semester fee ($25 for summer) to cover the cost of additional staff and new software to handle the program.