Fall 2013 International Student Enrollment Snapshot Survey

Survey Dates: September 25-October 14, 2013

Once again, our group of higher education associations is jointly surveying its members/member institutions to gather data comparing this fall’s international student enrollments with last fall’s. The partner organizations are: American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), American Council on Education (ACE), Association of American Universities (AAU), Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU), Council of Graduate Schools(CGS), Institute of International Education (IIE), and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

The purpose of this survey is to obtain quick and early feedback on enrollment trends so far this academic year (starting in Fall 2013). By sharing this information (in aggregate form) with the international education community and the media, we hope to develop a wider understanding among the press, the general public, and policy makers at state and national levels, about how higher education institutions continue to be affected by the various factors which impact international enrollments. Please note that for the purpose of this survey, an international student is defined as anyone studying in the U.S. on a non-immigrant, temporary visa that allows for academic coursework.

If you do not yet have final fall registration figures, we ask that you provide your best early estimates. All institutional-level responses will be anonymous and only aggregate numbers will be shared. We ask for your contact information only to insure that no more than one reply is received per institution, and to facilitate follow up if there are any questions. If you are not the best contact for this survey, please forward it to another colleague on your campus who may be able to complete it.

A summary of the results will be posted on the websites of all the cooperating organizations on November 11, 2013, and also distributed to the media in a joint press release. We will send our members copies of the press release as well, in case your school wishes to tailor it for local media use,inserting your own enrollment figures and relevant quotes from campus officials.

Please respond by October 14, 2013 so that we may include your responses in the findings that we report to the press and public during International Education Week in November 2013.

Thank you very much for participating in this short survey, which should take no more than 15 minutes to complete. Please contact iieresearch@iie.org if you have any questions.

SECTION I: Your Institution’s International Student Enrollment in Fall 2013

Question 1: Please indicate the total number (estimated, if need be) of international students enrolled in your institution during fall 2013.

International undergraduate students:
International graduate students:
International non-degree students:
Students on Optional Practical Training (OPT):
Total:

* Non-degree is defined as international students participating in non-degree programs, Intensive English Programs, and certificate programs.

Question 2: How many of the total international students were NEW students (i.e., enrolling at a U.S. campus for the first time)?

Question 3: If you have seen an increase in the number of newly enrolled international students, what do you believe are the major reasons for this increase? (You may select more than one item.)

Institutional changes:

More active recruitment efforts by my institution
Growing reputation and visibility of my institution abroad
Increased number of linkages with international universities
Increased number of joint/dual degree programs
New academic programming targeted to international students such as ESL programs
Increased participation by international high school students in pre-college summer programs

Economic and other factors:

Weak dollar made U.S. tuition costs more attractive
Fewer available jobs make graduate school a more attractive option
Growth of the middle class in other countries
Difficulty in getting into top schools in home country
Less concern by international students about visa availability
More restrictive student visa policies in other countries make the U.S. more appealing
Other, please specify:
I do not know the reason for the increase

Question 4: If you have seen a decline in the number of newly enrolled international students, what do you believe are the major reasons for this decline? (You may select more than one item.)

Question 5: For each place of origin listed below, provide the total number (estimated, if need be) of international students enrolled in fall 2013.

India
China
South Korea
Japan
Indonesia
Brazil
Vietnam
Europe
Saudi Arabia
Iraq
Middle East (except Saudi Arabia and Iraq)

NOTES: For the purposes of this survey,
- China does not include Taiwan or Hong Kong.
- Europeincludes Turkey and Cyprus.
- Middle East is defined as: Bahrain, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman,Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen. Saudi Arabia and Iraq are listed separately in light of their major scholarship programs for study abroad.

SECTION II: Student Recruitment and Internationalization Efforts on Your Campus

Question 6: Has your institution taken any new steps within the past year to maintain or increase your international student enrollment?

Yes
No
Do not know

Question 7: If yes, which steps have you taken? (You may select more than one item.)

New staff or additional staff time focused on international student enrollment
New international programs or collaborations abroad
New funding for marketing and promotion of academic programs
New funding for international recruitment trips
Engaging third-party recruiters/agents
Other, please specify:

Question 8: If no, why were no steps taken? (You may select more than one item.)

Lack of institutional commitment to international education
Lack of funding or resources
Other aspects of international education are considered higher priority on our campus
International student enrollment is stable or growing
We have continued existing policies for international student recruitment
Other, please specify:

Question 9: If your institution has devoted more resources for international student recruitment trips, which countries/regions did you focus on?

In this question, Saudi Arabia is included in the Middle East category. Middle East is defined as: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman,Palestinian Authority, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, United Arab Emirates, Yemen.
In the context of this survey, China does not include Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Europe includes Turkey and Cyprus.

Question 10a: Has your institution seen substantial increases (more than 30%) in students from China?

Yes
No
Do not know

Question 10b: If yes, what impact has this increase had on your campus? Is your campus providing special services for Chinese students? Please elaborate.

Question 11: Is your institution currently engaging in activities related to the following large-scale governmental initiatives for sending more international students to the U.S.?

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah Scholarship Program (KASP)
The Brazil Scientific Undergraduate Mobility Program
Scholarship programs supported by the Government of Iraq
Other, please specify:

Question 12: The 100K Strong in the Americas is a U.S. government initiative designed to increase educational exchanges across the Western Hemisphere. Which of the following activities, if any, has your institution taken to increase engagement with or attract students from this region? (You may select more than one item.)

Hosted more students from the region
Engaged in partnership activities with institutions in the region
Conducted planning and recruitment trips to countries in the region
Other, please specify:

Question 13: If your institution has students from countries affected by recent political turmoil (such as Syria and Egypt), how have they been impacted and what, if anything, has your institution done to support them (for example, provision of tuition waivers, loans, housing, meal plans, or other forms of support)?

Question 14: Other Comments: We would appreciate any other thoughts and observations.

(We plan to share some of your comments and ideas with the press and public, but will not provide your individual name or contact information unless you give us permission to do so. To give us permission to use your name, please check below.)

Yes, I would like to give permission to use my name.

Comments:

Contact Information:

Please indicate your name and contact information, which will be kept confidential.

Name of Institution:
Name of Respondent:
Title of Respondent:
U.S. State:
Zip code:
Tel:
Email:
Institutional UNITID:

This is also your six digit IPEDS or Department of Education ID. Please follow the instructions below if you do not know your UNITID.

• Click the following link or copy and paste it into your browser: http://www.iie.org/~/media/Files/Corporate/Open-Doors/Institutions_UnitID.ashx

• Search for your institution by name. The 6-digit numerical code that appears against the name of your institution is your UNITID.

Thanks again for your participation!

Please make sure to print this page before submitting the survey if you want a copy of your submission. We are only able to send Excel file copies to you via e-mail.

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