U. Council acts on gov't monitoring

The University Council moved to support the administration in efforts to monitor government implementation of recent legislation that may threaten the educational missions of colleges and universities.

The motion -- sponsored by Graduate and Professional Student Association Chairman Jeremy Korst and Vice Chairman Michael Janson -- followed extensive presentations on University compliance with the Patriot and Bioterrorism Acts.

University President Judith Rodin emphasized, however, that the administration has already been working to ensure that its rights are not violated.

"We need to make sure that this [motion] is not an admonition to the administration," Rodin said. "We've been involved in Washington both as Penn and with a group of universities."

In presenting the motion, Korst expressed his disapproval of the government legislation.

"As an American citizen, I am surprised and shocked to see what this country makes international students go through," he said, "and I think this problem is only going to get worse before it gets better."

The motion stated that specific "areas of concern include restrictions on who may do research using certain biological materials, restrictions on... academic research [and] limitations on visas for foreign students."

Wendy White of the Office of General Counsel explained to the UC that the students and faculty "don't need to be intimidated by the FBI."

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the Patriot Act, may not request certain information without a court order or subpoena, she added.

Director of Environmental Health and Radiation Safety Matthew Finucane explained how his office aided research laboratories in complying with government requests for names of researchers involved in experiments that use select biological agents.

Finucane said he just sent his fingerprints to the Center for Disease Control and the Department of Agriculture along with a survey.

"I feel they were invasive and went beyond what is reasonable," Finucane said of the survey.

Another effect of stepped-up government security is the government's enforcement of the University's procedure in allowing foreign students to study in the United States.

By August, the Office of International Programs must produce documents from Student and Exchange Visitors Information System for all enrolled foreign students, Office Director Joyce Randolph reported.

As of April 11, the office had produced over 1,100 sets of documents, with 5,000 to go.

"I apologize to all international students for the delay," Randolph said.

Also on the UC agenda were committee reports from the Libraries, International Programs, Quality of Student Life and Personnel Benefits committees.

Yesterday's meeting was the last of the academic year. Members discussed issues to consider next year, including student drinking in dormitories.

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