Patricia Terrell

Idaho State University, Vice President for Student Affairs

Dear Editor:

Recently in an editorial, The Bengal implied that Idaho State University has not been proactive about supporting our international students, including our Middle Eastern students and that our response to the recent criminal acts has been lukewarm.  In the last several years, as the numbers of Middle Eastern students have increased, ISU has taken the following actions:

• Increased the staff in the International Programs Office to 8.0 FTE (full-time equivalent) and hired more diverse staff
• Established the ISU Intensive English Institute (IEI) to ensure that our international students have college-appropriate English skills
• Increased admissions standards for international students to enhance their success
• Hired international students as peer academic advisors in several colleges and departments
• Printed the Off Campus Student Guide that addresses landlord/tenant obligations and responsibilities
• Hosted numerous workshops on diversity including one in the fall, 2015 on “Supporting Muslim Students”
• Offered real-time translator services
• Last November, 2015 we contacted and scheduled the U.S. Attorney’s Office to speak to our students about discrimination in the Spring, 2016
• Met with city and county officials about students’ concerns
• Merged the regular and international student orientations while still retaining a separate orientation for international students on immigration, cultural norms and U.S. laws
• Before the Muslim Community Center was established, ISU provided a designated room in the Turner Dining Hall for Muslim students to pray

The DVD that was left on windshields on campus is anti-Islam, anti-LDS and anti-gay, and was available online at the author’s website before distribution on campus.  The author is not a member of the Pocatello community.  All of the burglaries have occurred off campus.  President Vailas has led the institution’s response in spite of the fact that he was in Moscow from Tuesday through Friday of last week attending the State Board of Education meeting where the Tuition Lock program was discussed.  ISU’s response has included:

• Sent emails to the Saudi and Kuwaiti elected student leaders on Monday, April 11, inviting them to meet with President Vailas and University leaders.
• Met with a representative from the Saudi Cultural Mission and Saudi student leaders on Wednesday, April 13, 2016.  President Vailas, attending the State Board of Education Meeting in Moscow, called in to the meeting.
• Sent two emails to the community (faculty, staff and students—not “just students”) on Wednesday, April 13, 2016 informing them about the burglaries and encouraging all to support our Middle Eastern students.
• A special meeting on Friday afternoon, April 15, attended by several University leaders and faculty at the Muslim Community Center to discuss the current situation and to help develop strategy and solutions moving forward. Included in the meeting, in addition to ISU representatives, were the Mayor, Pocatello police chief, an Idaho State legislator, local business leaders and many University students, both domestic and international.
• Held meetings with local leaders, including Dr. Fahim Rahim, about appropriate actions.
• Conducted media interviews regarding discrimination and burglaries – The President spoke personally to numerous media including the Idaho State Journal and Reuters; other staff spoke to Inside Higher Education, The New York Times, the Idaho Statesman, the Wall Street Journal, and others.
• Offered to change the locks on any apartments at Ridgecrest for any students who felt unsafe (although no recent burglaries have occurred on campus).
• Notified the deans about working with the faculty to assist students who need extra time for assignments and exams who have been impacted by these events.  The response has been very positive.
  • Deans and colleges have held meetings and reached out to students in their programs to reject hate, address concerns and to show unity.
• Hosted Wendy Olson, U.S.  Attorney for the District of Idaho, on Thursday afternoon, April 14.  She discussed illegal discrimination and how to file a complaint.
• Held a meeting hosted by the International Programs Office with international students on Friday, April 15, at 4 p.m. in the ISU PSUB Theater.
• Asked ASISU to consider public expressions of support; thus the “United We Stand” Banners.
• Asked the Faculty, Staff and Student Senates to consider resolutions supporting diversity, which all have passed.
• President Vailas attended a meeting with Kuwaiti students on Sunday night, April 17 in the Pond Student Union and answered questions as part of a panel including Mayor Blad and Pocatello Police Chief March and.
• Hosted a Campus and Community Rally on Monday, April 18 at 12 noon in the Quad on the Pocatello campus More than 1,000 people attended and it was streamed online and on KISU.  There were 12 speakers at the event, and they all shared a positive message of solidarity and unity and one student even wrote a special poem for the occasion.
• Public Safety has reiterated that they have and will continue to offer escorts to students.
• The International Student Association, in conjunction with other student organizations and Dr. Fahim Rahim, has announced that they are planning a block party on April 30 (details to be announced)

This is not a time for finger pointing. Rather, suggestions and ideas are needed.  It is important to remember that each student is an individual and any response must be appropriate to that student’s concerns.  Although the President was in Moscow last week advocating for the Tuition Lock program, guaranteeing that students can pay the same tuition during the course of their two- or four-year academic program, he led the University’s response in collaboration with the University leadership team which includes knowledgeable, experienced, talented and concerned individuals who work together in support of our students every single day.