Absence of Decision. Foreign Students in American Colleges and Universities. A Report on Policy Formation and the Lack Thereof. IIE Research Report Number One.

Policy issues concerning foreign students that affect decision makers of U.S. colleges and universities were studied, along with the views of institutional representatives concerning the presence of foreign students, problems areas they perceive, and the formation and implementation of policy regarding these students. Attention was focused on three states: Florida, Ohio, and California, as well as two institutions in other states that are greatly involved in international programs: Columbia University and Michigan State University. In addition to the college staff and students, opinions were solicited from college trustees, state legislators, and aides to governors. The following policy issues were covered: the survival of certain fields of study in the United States; foreign students as "filler"; the export of higher education services; benefits to the local, state, and national economy; the special costs of foreign students; cost-benefit pricing of foreign student education; and the foreign student cash-flow issue. Arguments for careful inquiry by the institution into the question of foreign students, and implications for institutional organization are briefly considered. Issues that especially call for national attention regarding economic, socio-organizational, and educational areas are also addressed. A list of positions of interviewees by state and institution is appended. (SW)