David Gardner is an International Student Advisor at the University of Wisconsin LaCrosse.
 

   Gardner said their international student body is comprised primarily from Asia – China, South Korea, Vietnam, and Saudi Arabia. He also said they have approximately 370 international students and 100 international scholars totaling over 400 total students studying amongst roughly 12,000 total students at UWL.
 

   The majority of international students are degree seeking, either a two or four year degree, although a hand-full are exchange, and another hand-full come for the English as a Second Language program.
 

   The students are encouraged to live on campus, but after first year many move off campus. Saudi students tend to live off campus even during the first year to meet cultural needs of living with relatives.
 

   Living in residence halls is the best way to acclimate to the American culture. The international office works with housing department to pair international students with domestic students – immersion in the American culture is the best way to learn and adjust to it. Also makes it easier to participate in campus activities by living on campus.
 

   Each semester Gardner receives a number of calls from professors inquiring about special accommodations for international students, which he says is great because it shows they are committed to students’ academics. “We encourage faculty and staff members to treat international students as [they] would a domestic student.” However, it is up to the staff member whether or not they provide any special accommodations.
 

   Treating international students the way domestic students are, “makes it a level playing field; UWL is a tough school to get into. It’s very in demand.” The international students accepted to UWL have all submitted high scores in the admissions process and as such should be held to the same standards as domestic students.
 

   Some courses my allow electronic translators, but they are discouraged because they could give an unfair advantage in some degree programs such as Biology where there is language or terms unique to that field, and all students in those degree programs need to know those terms.

   Orientation consists of airport pick-ups, peer advisers help international students get acclimated (domestic and international) – bus system/meal plan/id cards/paying their bill, and speakers from a number of different offices around the campus to provide useful information to the new students, campus and area police. This allows the students to feel more comfortable seeking help with issues because they have met someone from these different resources prior to seeking help.
 

   Gardner’s department (International Education) is often the first stop when international students have an issue because they have worked with the students from the time they arrived here. If they are not able to help the student(s), because the International Education staff are not experts certain issues, then the student(s) are directed to Campus Climate, Bias and Hate online forum, campus life resources, and counseling offices.  Gardner said they International Education staff will follow-up with the student(s) to make sure they are receiving the help they need. Gardner sees about two to three students each semester that come to his office with issues of discrimination.
 

   UWL has an international recruiter that spends 25-30 percent of his time outside the office recruiting students from other countries.  Gardner said, “The director wants everyone in the office to experience recruitment.” He went to Taiwan, Vietnam, and Korea last spring for student recruitment. He said the trips are very busy and very stressful because it is almost nonstop from the time the plane lands to the time they get on a plane to come home.
 

   Gardner also said that most students attend UWL because of the relationship between the Staff at UWL and agents at other universities. UWL does have a program that allows students to attend one or two years at universities in their home countries the come to UWL to finish their degrees.
 

   UWL provides informational pamphlets in both English and foreign languages depending on which countries they are visiting and what time of English training the schools in those countries provide.
 

   UWL has events to promote understanding of different cultures, some attract more domestic students than others, but they try to get the word out through a Facebook page, campus connection emails, and posters around campus.
 

   UWL requires a 5.5 in each category on the TOFEL before being admitted to the university. Gardner said they have a very high English language standard in order to study at UWL. The university does not want to lower their standards for international enrollment because there are tough programs at UWL and Gardner said the final outcome is worth having a few less students each year. UWL also requires that international students only take ESL classes as needed; students are able to test out of ESL and begin academic courses which save time and money.
 

   Plagiarism is addressed a couple times during international orientation to ensure that there is at least a basic knowledge of what plagiarism is. Gardner said that some staff will give a verbal warning the first time an international student plagiarizes because they don’t always grasp the concept of properly citing sources or text. Gardner says there is not a high rate of plagiarism, but it is one of the main issues concerning international students.
 

   Gardner said that he does see a number of students who come into his office with concerns about needing help academically, and his first advice is for the student to talk to his or her professor. He said typically that takes care of the issue, but he does make notes in the student’s file, so that he can follow up with the student to ensure academic success.