International Student Issues

More meetings. But I really enjoyed this meeting with international student advisors. I spoke more as an international student than an Association of Student Representatives (ASR) Senator even though that might not be the impression they got. I did voice many concerns but they weren't really intended to seek justification. Rather, they were like comments. They have been doing their best and we understand that. We, the committee were there to get their ideas across to the ASR.

I do not really know how much leverage we have over  budget issues even though they are crucial for organizing various events for international students. To me that seemed to be one of the central hurdles in extending student services to international students. The budget for conducting activities for international students has not increased in proportion to influx of a large international student body. Ironically, it has hardly increased at all.

Also, I was rather surprised to know that International Club is not recognized as a student organization and that it has been hitherto denied membership in Trinity Multicultural Network(TMN) which now has a fancier name, Trinity Diversity Committee(TDC). What this means is that, the International Club that is home to more than 200 members does not receive any funds out of student activity fee to conduct events and programs. It has to independently devise ways to raise money to organize any big events. You name it and I will bet that the International Club is the most diverse club of all existing clubs at Trinity University.

As a committee, it will be our mission to get the international club recognition it deserves.