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We should keep the term "educational" and not change it to "academic institutions." p. 48179, bottom
of middle column. Substituting the word "Academic" will provide a legal basis to block afternoon,
evening and weekend language and cultural programs from inviting foreign teachers to teach
languages, music, and other cultural classes for children who cannot obtain these educational offerings
in their regular "academic institutions." It will limit schools and cultural organizations that are not
"academic institutions" from offering inner-city children afternoon and weekend programs multiple ways
to occupy themselves after school hours. These important outlets for youth development have already
been curtailed in America by the cancellation of many vital youth activities by Congress. With more
than 50% of women in the workforce, afternoon and evening programs are needed more than ever.
Changing the definition from "educational institutions" to "academic institutions" would restrict
opportunities for foreign exchange, which is antithetical to our government’s foreign relations mandate
to broaden opportunities for people-to-people communication with the rest of the world, rather than limit
avenues. The strong and consistent bipartisan support for State Department exchange programs
makes a powerful case for increasing, not reducing exchange, as does enthusiasm for exchange
programs in Congress and at US embassies around the world.
We must adapt to the 21st Century and open opportunities for international exchange that are now
crucial for the U.S. to continue as the top world power. In 1961, nearly half a century ago—48 years,
global competition was not so tough. Unprecedented, life-changing technologies, undreamt of in 1961,
have transformed the world. In the past half-century, world population has doubled and civilization has
grown more rapidly than at all previous points in history. In 1961, there were:
1. No memory typewriters
2. No fax machines
3. No answering machines
4. No cordless phones
5. No beepers
6. No cellphones
7. No Simcards
8. No home/business computers
9. No laptops
10. No Internet, no search engines
11. No blogs
12. No texting
13. No distance education in universities
14. No email
15. No. I-phones equipped with camera, telephone, texting, email, Internet,
Moviephone, Mapquest, I-Pods, calendar, address book …
16. No GPS navigation systems
17. No ATMs
18. No Social networking – Facebook, Twitter, U-Tube
19. No online shopping, no E-Bay
Email and texting have revolutionized the scope of exchange and all international possibilities by
providing a communications pipeline.
Currently, the Designation Office does not allow sponsors to support foreign teachers for afternoon,
evening, and weekend schools for youths and for adults, though there is no legal basis in the
regulations to limit the hours and teaching days. There is a movement, for example, by the
Congressional Greek caucus and millions of Greek Americans in the US to integrate Greek teachers
paid by the Greek government into church and cultural schools so that they can work in J-1 teacher
visa status.
Changing the definition to "academic" rather than "educational" will further limit J-1 teacher programs,
we believe to the detriment of American children who would otherwise have the benefit of well-
educated, expert Greek teachers offered free of charge by the Greek government. It is a diplomatic
affront to the Greek government to refuse teachers J-1 visa status. Over 50% of students enrolled in
these programs are not of Greek heritage but are interested and benefit immeasurably from Greek
cultural and language classes taught by native Greek teachers.
We must expand the J-1 exchange visitor program and adapt it to the 21st century by repealing existing
regs that limit expansion possibilities. Now is the time for less, not more, regulation.'
More regulation would serve the banking sector well. Not international educational exchange.
of middle column. Substituting the word "Academic" will provide a legal basis to block afternoon,
evening and weekend language and cultural programs from inviting foreign teachers to teach
languages, music, and other cultural classes for children who cannot obtain these educational offerings
in their regular "academic institutions." It will limit schools and cultural organizations that are not
"academic institutions" from offering inner-city children afternoon and weekend programs multiple ways
to occupy themselves after school hours. These important outlets for youth development have already
been curtailed in America by the cancellation of many vital youth activities by Congress. With more
than 50% of women in the workforce, afternoon and evening programs are needed more than ever.
Changing the definition from "educational institutions" to "academic institutions" would restrict
opportunities for foreign exchange, which is antithetical to our government’s foreign relations mandate
to broaden opportunities for people-to-people communication with the rest of the world, rather than limit
avenues. The strong and consistent bipartisan support for State Department exchange programs
makes a powerful case for increasing, not reducing exchange, as does enthusiasm for exchange
programs in Congress and at US embassies around the world.
We must adapt to the 21st Century and open opportunities for international exchange that are now
crucial for the U.S. to continue as the top world power. In 1961, nearly half a century ago—48 years,
global competition was not so tough. Unprecedented, life-changing technologies, undreamt of in 1961,
have transformed the world. In the past half-century, world population has doubled and civilization has
grown more rapidly than at all previous points in history. In 1961, there were:
1. No memory typewriters
2. No fax machines
3. No answering machines
4. No cordless phones
5. No beepers
6. No cellphones
7. No Simcards
8. No home/business computers
9. No laptops
10. No Internet, no search engines
11. No blogs
12. No texting
13. No distance education in universities
14. No email
15. No. I-phones equipped with camera, telephone, texting, email, Internet,
Moviephone, Mapquest, I-Pods, calendar, address book …
16. No GPS navigation systems
17. No ATMs
18. No Social networking – Facebook, Twitter, U-Tube
19. No online shopping, no E-Bay
Email and texting have revolutionized the scope of exchange and all international possibilities by
providing a communications pipeline.
Currently, the Designation Office does not allow sponsors to support foreign teachers for afternoon,
evening, and weekend schools for youths and for adults, though there is no legal basis in the
regulations to limit the hours and teaching days. There is a movement, for example, by the
Congressional Greek caucus and millions of Greek Americans in the US to integrate Greek teachers
paid by the Greek government into church and cultural schools so that they can work in J-1 teacher
visa status.
Changing the definition to "academic" rather than "educational" will further limit J-1 teacher programs,
we believe to the detriment of American children who would otherwise have the benefit of well-
educated, expert Greek teachers offered free of charge by the Greek government. It is a diplomatic
affront to the Greek government to refuse teachers J-1 visa status. Over 50% of students enrolled in
these programs are not of Greek heritage but are interested and benefit immeasurably from Greek
cultural and language classes taught by native Greek teachers.
We must expand the J-1 exchange visitor program and adapt it to the 21st century by repealing existing
regs that limit expansion possibilities. Now is the time for less, not more, regulation.'
More regulation would serve the banking sector well. Not international educational exchange.
Technology has transformed the world.
The educational exchange mission is being accomplished.
The educational exchange mission is being accomplished.
| Cordell Hull Foundation for International Education Phone: 212.300.2138 cordellhull@aol.com www.cordellhull.org www.cordellhull.net 501 Fifth Avenue, Suite 300 New York, NY 10017 |
