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Choices for Higher Education in the U.S. -
Public Universities
Public, or state, universities typically
enroll tens of thousands of students and offer degrees in hundreds of
subject areas. These universities are among the major research
universities in the United States and frequently have major involvement in
international programs around the world.
By ROBERT H. BRUININKS
Public universities in the United States, also referred to as state
universities, are closely identified with and supported by the states in
which they are located. They are exciting, dynamic, and highly regarded
centers for higher education, with unique traditions and connections to
their communities. They are also major magnets for talent from all over
the country and the world.
Typically, universities of this type enroll tens of thousands of students.
They produce the majority of graduate and professional degrees in the
country, as well as a significant number of undergraduate degrees. Also
common to large public universities are a wide range of academic programs.
To use my own institution as an example, the University of Minnesota Twin
Cities campus has 50,000 students, offers hundreds of degrees, and is a
leader in fields as varied as neurology and transplant surgery, economics
and political science, material sciences and nanotechnology, and
agriculture and natural resources.
Public universities play a critical role in regional economic, cultural,
and civic development, and many, such as the University of Minnesota, are
deeply involved in advancing knowledge and technology through research.
These universities are among the major research universities in the United
States and frequently have major involvement in international programs
around the world. A series of federal actions in the second half of the
19th century provided resources to states to help establish and build
universities. Public universities that arose from this federal largesse
have a mandate to provide outreach and community engagement to the state
in which they are located (e.g., technology transfer, support to
agriculture, interaction with primary and secondary schools, and
interaction with state and local policy makers).
The level of research intensity varies greatly among state universities.
Competitive research grants and contracts awarded to the most prestigious
public universities typically amount to hundreds of millions of dollars
each year. There is also great variation in the level of support from the
states. State universities with large research budgets typically receive
10 to 30 percent of their budgets from the state in which they are
located. The remaining portion of their budget comes from tuition and
fees, grants, contracts and gifts.
As a result of the financing structure of large state universities, many
graduate students receive financial aid through research assistantships
associated with research grants and contracts received by the university.
Although many public universities are seeking increased funding to support
international exchanges and study, access to financial aid for
international students is very limited outside of the aforementioned
research/ grant funding. Since undergraduates do not generally hold
research assistantships, scholarship support for international students
seeking undergraduate degrees is quite limited at these public
universities.
Large state universities are located in a variety of communities, from
modest towns to large metropolitan areas. Many universities also have
multiple campuses at locations throughout their state, and many states
also have more than one public university system.
Public universities are governed by boards of trustees or regents, with
varying reporting responsibility to the state government. Unlike in many
other countries, these U.S. universities don't report to a national
education minister, and higher education policy is largely delegated to
the states, with the important exceptions of federal student financial aid
and research funding through federal agencies such as the National Science
Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, and other federal agencies.
Some traditions of public universities in the United States are quite
different from those in other countries. Even at these state-supported
institutions, students have traditionally paid for part of their education
through tuition and fees, and these costs to students are increasing.
Today the average student takes out loans in order to help pay for his or
her education. Private fundraising plays an increasingly important role in
funding projects, scholarships, and positions at public universities.
Finally, intercollegiate sports attract intense interest from students,
alumni, and members of the general public, and these events generate
additional revenue.
Among all U.S. universities, large state universities often include the
largest percentage of international students and scholars. At the
University of Minnesota, our community includes more than 4,500
international students and scholars from about 130 countries. The
University of Minnesota provides support services such as counseling and
advising on personal and academic issues, orientation to U.S. and
university culture, immigration and visa advising, and English as a second
language courses, as well as programs and workshops on a variety of topics
including intercultural understanding and communication. Many state
universities have similar programs in place to help students navigate what
can sometimes be a confusing system of administration and academic
regulation, although the scope of these services varies from institution
to institution.
With growing competition from other countries, no major university in the
United States can afford to take the interest of foreign students for
granted. As a result, public universities are increasingly focused on
attracting top students from around the world. If you are a motivated and
self-directed student looking for exposure to the cutting edge of
knowledge and creative work, I encourage you to investigate the rich
opportunities available among large public universities in the United
States.
Robert H. Bruininks is president of the University of Minnesota.
An Overview of U.S. Accreditation
Accreditation is a process of external quality review used by higher
education to scrutinize colleges, universities and higher education
programs for quality assurance and quality improvement. Accreditation in
the United States is more than 100 years old, emerging from concerns to
protect public health and safety and to serve the public interest. In the
United States, accreditation is carried out by private, nonprofit
organizations designed for this specific purpose. External quality review
of higher education is a non-governmental enterprise. In other countries,
accreditation and quality assurance activities are typically carried out
by government. Accreditors review colleges and universities in 50 states
and a number of other countries. They review many thousands of programs in
a range of professions and specialties including law, medicine, business,
nursing, social work and pharmacy, arts and journalism. There are three
types of accreditors: regional, national, and those serving a specialized
profession. Accreditation serves the following purposes: assuring quality,
determining qualification for access to federal funds, easing transfer
from one school to another, and engendering employer confidence in the
degree or license granted by an institution. (
http://www.chea.org/pdf/overview_US_accred_8-03.pdf)
Events in India: May-July
USEFI Calendar
Northern Region
June 22: New Delhi
U.S. University Alumni Fair. Past and continuing students from a
cross-section of U.S. institutions will discuss their first-hand
experience with prospective students interested in pursuing higher
education in the United States.
July 6: American Center, New Delhi
Pre-departure Orientation Program for students admitted to U.S.
universities for the fall 2007 session. Students ready to depart on F-1
visas will hear about cross-cultural issues and life in the United States
from a panel of experts consisting of Indian and American citizens who
have studied and lived in both countries. Pre-registration is required.
Eastern Region
June 16-17: Hotel Capitol Hill, Ranchi, Jharkhand
USEFI staff from Kolkata will participate in an Admissions Fair.
Information on higher education opportunities in the United States will be
disseminated to prospective students.
June 30: American Center, Kolkata
Pre-departure Orientation Program for students who have been admitted to
U.S. universities/colleges for the fall session. The program will be held
at the Lincoln Room auditorium of the American Center, Kolkata. Departing
students will receive important information on academic and social life in
the United States. The program will help them to build networks. The panel
will include students currently studying or who have studied in the United
States, and American citizens in India.
Southern Region
May 23,30: USEFI, Chennai
"Exploring New Worlds," a basic orientation video on higher education in
the United States, will be shown. It is a good starting point for
prospective students.
June 6,13, 20, 27: USEFI, Chennai
"Exploring New Worlds," a basic orientation video on higher education in
the United States, will be shown.
June 19: Chennai
A presentation on student visas by a consular officer from the American
Consulate General, Chennai.
June 22: Vijayawada
A presentation on student visas by a consular officer from the American
Consulate General, Chennai.
July 11, 18, 25: USEFI, Chennai
"Exploring New Worlds," a basic orientation video on higher education in
the United States, will be shown.
July 12: Chennai
Pre-departure orientation for fall 2007 students. Resource persons will
provide practical tips and discuss academic and cultural aspects of life
in the United States with students on their way to the United States for
higher studies.
Western Region
May 19: Mumbai
A presentation on "U.S. Higher Education" at Times Avenues 2007, a program
focusing on careers and educational opportunities for students, organized
by the Times of India group.
May 23
A basic orientation program for students interested in pursuing graduate
and undergraduate programs in the United States.
June 8
A basic orientation program for students interested in pursuing graduate
and undergraduate programs in the United States.
Selected Web Sites on College and University Education in the United
States
United States Educational Foundation in India
http://www.fulbright-india.org/
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Education USA
http://www.educationusa.state.gov/
EducationUSA provides a wealth of information and services for
international students at all stages of the college search. Composed of a
global network of more than 450 advising and information centers in 170
countries, these centers actively promote U.S. higher education around the
world by offering accurate, comprehensive, objective, and timely
information about educational opportunities in the United States and
guidance to qualified individuals on how best to access those
opportunities. Portions of the Web site cover accreditation, finding a
school, visa information, financial assistance, Fulbright scholarships,
and programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the
Department of State.
International Information Programs Study in the U.S.
http://usinfo.state.gov/scv/life_and_culture/education/study_in_the_us.html
Bureau of Consular Affairs: Visas
http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
Studying in the USA: Visas
http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/studying.html
USNEI: U.S. Network for Education Information
http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/edlite-index.html
A basic resource on the U.S. educational system created to inform
international exchange students.
Federal Student Aid: International Students
http://studentaid.ed.gov/PORTALSWebApp/students/english/intl.jsp
Office of Postsecondary Education Database of Accredited Institutions
http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/
America's Global College Forum
http://www.voanews.com/english/AmericanLife/global_college_forum.cfm
This weekly radio series profiles international students attending
America's colleges or universities.
American Association of Community Colleges
http://www.aacc.nche.edu/
American Council on Education
http://www.acenet.edu//AM/Template.cfm?Section=Home
The major coordinating body for all of the nation's higher education
institutions, ACE also sponsors a number of international initiatives:
http://www.acenet.edu/AM/Template.cfm?Section=International
CHEA: Council for Higher Education Accreditation
http://www.chea.org/
Database of accredited institutions and programs:
http://www.chea.org/search/default.asp
College Board
http://www.collegeboard.com/splash
Council of Independent Colleges
http://www.cic.org/
Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE)
http://www.ciee.org/
eduPASS!
http://www.edupass.org/
Higher Education Resource Hub
http://www.higher-ed.org/
Institute of International Education
http://www.iie.org/
National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges
http://www.nasulgc.org/
Courtesy : SPAN Magazine |
Writers
Profile
ROBERT H. BRUININKS
editorspan@state.gov
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