USC gains early compliance with new INS tracking system
Pueblo -- The University of Southern Colorado is one of the first schools in
the nation to comply with new INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service)
regulations mandating the tracking of international students during the early
registration period. The new tracking system was prompted by new Homeland
Security legislation.
Annie Williams, associate director of the Center for International Programs,
with the full support of administration at USC, immediately began to bring USC
into compliance. By the end of July, Williams had submitted the necessary
paperwork to the INS which made USC one of the first schools to be in full
compliance. Early compliance began on July 1 and ended on Sept. 25.
In 1996, the INS attempted to implement a new system, but there was so much
contention about the new regulations that it was never actually utilized. The
program was called CIPRIS, and many schools feared that the additional work
involved in the tracking of students would be impossible to handle. Although the
CIPRIS program was never actually implemented, some software had begun to be
used at test sites. After 9/11, the newly developed Homeland Security Office
proposed new legislation that would allow them to track international students
more closely.
All schools that accept international students now must be in full compliance
with the new legislation by Jan. 30, 2003. Schools that are not in full
compliance will not be allowed to accept new international students. The schools
that are included in this mandatory tracking system include high schools, both
private and public, post secondary institutions and language schools that wish
to invite international students to their campuses.
Schools also feared that they would lose many international students because of
the additional charges that were to be collected from students at the colleges
and universities to pay for the tracking system. These fees will be collected
from the students as they pay for and obtain their visas, beginning March 1,
2003.
So far, Williams has been posting the mandatory information on an interactive
web site that the INS provided, but said problems still exist with the system.
"Three times is a charm," said Williams, who had input the information
twice before, only to have it thrown out of the system. On her third attempt USC
became one of the first schools to be compliant with the new legislation. Out of
all post secondary, language and public schools only 2, 163 are in compliance,
as of Sept. 25. (more)
The international office at USC, along with the SEVIS team, is currently looking
at software that Williams hopes will make it easier for USC to remain in
compliance and will allow her to run criteria specific reports, saving her time
and additional work. The SEVIS team includes the IT (Information Technology)
department, two DSO's (Designated School Officials), Williams and Carl Melin,
senior assistant director of admissions, and one ASO (Alternate School
Official), Madeline Wunderlich, administrative assistant.
Williams said the SEVIS system is expensive, but will be worth it in the long
run. Not only will compliance keep USC available for international students, but
the information gathered through the SEVIS system can be easily accessed by
federal agencies in emergency situations. For USC, early compliance meant
deferral of $580 in mandatory fees for the review of Form I-17 and the on-site
inspection required for licensure until the inspection actually occurs. Williams
said schools that have not met the early compliance deadline will have to pay
the fee with their re-certification applications.
USC first became certified by the INS to accept international students in 1939.
USC's current student population includes156 International Students enrolled for
the Fall 2002 semester.
At this time, only student visas are included, but in the future other types of
visas may be added to the tracking system.
The University of Southern Colorado is a regional, comprehensive university
emphasizing professional, career-oriented, and applied programs. Displaying
excellence in teaching, celebrating diversity, and engaging in service and
outreach, USC is distinguished by access, opportunity, and the overall quality
of services provided to its students.
