Media Memo
News Bureau . Schofield Hall 201 . Eau Claire, WI 54702
phone: (715) 836-4741
fax: (715) 836-2900

The following may be of interest given this weekend's anniversary of the Sept. 11 tragedies.

• The number of international students studying at UW-Eau Claire has increased this year, but is still slightly below the number of international students on campus in the fall of 2001. This semester, 147 international students are studying on campus, compared to the154 international students enrolled at UW-Eau Claire in the fall of 2001. The university no longer has students from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates or other countries in that region. UW-Eau Claire used to attract a few students from that part of the world but it's now nearly impossible for college-age students from that region to obtain a student visa. Karl Markgraf, director of the Center for International Education, is available to discuss the international student enrollment numbers and issues facing international students. You can reach him at (715) 836-4411 or markgraf@uwec.edu.
• The number of political sciences majors has increased since the fall of 2001. In fall of 2001, UW-Eau Claire had 139 political science majors. This fall, there are 168 students majoring in political science. The world politics comprehensive major and global studies minor have been steadily growing in popularity. Rodd Freitag, chair of the political science department, is available to talk about the growing interest in political science and related majors. You can reach him at (715) 836-5044 or freitard@uwec.edu.
• Political science faculty members have noticed more of an interest among students in classes about world politics and the Middle East. Ali Abootalebi, associate professor of political science, said his Middle East course is full this fall and has a waiting list. The department added sections and seats to its "Introduction to World Politics" course and all sections are full. Stephen Hill, an assistant professor of political science who teaches world politics, said he senses from class discussions that students are more attentive to issues of world politics because the threat of terrorism has made understanding those issues a greater imperative. He added the topic of terrorism to his courses as a consequence of 9/11. You can reach Ali Abootalebi at (715) 836-5969, or abootaar@uwec.edu. You can reach Stephen Hill at (715) 836-2092 or hills@uwec.edu.

Judy Berthiaume, Director
UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Schofield 201
(715) 836-4741
newsbur@uwec.edu

Updated: December 28, 2004