UW-Madison prepares for international entry delays

UW–Madison has launched a proactive effort to assist its international community in the wake of new visa requirements that may make it more difficult for international students and visiting faculty and staff to reach campus in time for the start of the fall semester.

Designed to combat terrorism, the new rules require U.S. State Department officials to conduct personal interviews with international students and visiting faculty and staff (commonly known as scholars) before they can obtain travel documents to enter the United States.

College administrators around the country have been anticipating larger-than-normal numbers of international entry delays, as the new requirements may create long lines and backlogs. Interviewees can also be flagged by the U.S. Department of State for additional review, based on their major or field of study.

UW–Madison began to prepare for the situation in July, as soon as it received word of the new procedures. Since it is unusual for students and scholars to be delayed for reasons beyond their control, the entry delay situation creates complications in areas such as housing, health insurance, employment and class enrollment.

University officials have developed a network of resources and an informational Web site for international students and scholars, says Virginia Sapiro, associate vice chancellor for teaching and learning, who leads a task force addressing the issue. The idea behind Sapiro’s group was to anticipate possible problems and devise ways to best accommodate delayed students to make their lives easier upon their eventual arrival.

“Our strong, vibrant international community helps make UW–Madison a great university,” she says. “A lot of work is required to address these issues, but we’re absolutely committed to doing all we can to help.”

UW–Madison is one of a small number of Big 10 schools to develop a comprehensive plan of action on the issue. Aside from attempting to ease logistical difficulties for students and scholars, the group also developed policies to minimize the impact on UW–Madison’s teaching and research functions. Many international students and scholars teach classes, work on important research projects and serve as teaching assistants.

It is unclear how many students and scholars will ultimately be affected by entry delays, but with an international community of 4,300 from 105 countries, the university could not afford to wait until September to begin thinking about the issue, Sapiro says. As of early August, 15 students had reported difficulties obtaining visas.

Sapiro says it is important for the entire Madison community to understand the issues facing the international community. Delayed students and scholars may also need support or consideration in areas outside the scope of the university, such as off-campus housing or school attendance for their children.