Despite the investigations on the sexual assault reports and rape charges on students, University of Montana's admission process has not taken a hit.
The school has reported a 32 percent increase in the number of international students enrolled at the university as compared to last year. The branding of Missoula as the 'rape capital of America' may not have deterred international students from seeking admission at the university.
According to UM International Programs, a record 536 international students are enrolled at The University of Montana for the 2012-13 academic year, which includes students from two more countries.
Currently, international students from 72 countries study at the undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as in professional programs and at the English Language Institute. Most students, 42 percent, are from East and Southeast Asia, and large numbers also come from the Middle East, Europe and South and Central America.
"The flexibility in individual academic departments to accept these students and do outreach and recruitment efforts is important to recognize," said Peter Baker, International Program Development Officer at UM.
"Faculty who do work overseas can develop relationships that help build bridges to bring more international students to study at UM."
One of the aims of the university's "UM 2020: Building a University for the Global Century" strategic plan was to meet the goal of 600 international students. Now, with the breaking of the previous record of 518 in 2006-07, it is evident that the school is on the right track to achieving its goal.
The increase in the students from international communities not only adds cultural diversity to the campus, but also helps in the economy of the U.S.
According to NAFSA (Association of International Educators), most international students pay for tuition and living expenses in the U.S. through family or personal funds, and an increasing number of students at UM are supported by large scholarship programs from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Brazil.
During the 2010-11 school year, international students contributed $20 billion to the U.S. economy. In Montana, NAFSA reports that 1,300 international students statewide contributed $40.8 million to the state economy in 2010-11.
At the last academic year, many of the 406 international students at UM each paid more than $10,000 for tuition and living expenses per semester.
"Having international students on campus benefits everyone," said Sandra Janusch, director of UM's English Language Institute.
"They bring a wealth of new perspectives and cultural knowledge to share with our communities."
