FROM BILL WALTER, PRESIDENT OF SSA
9 July 2020 — Seismology is a global endeavor, and the international scientific community benefits from a free exchange of people as well as ideas. The Administration’s recent proposal to limit participation by international students in US degree programs would be tragic, both for the individual scientists as well as the global science community. The proposed action would harm the advancement of earthquake science, as well as the individual careers of the international students who study and work at U.S. universities.
SSA stands with other scientific societies and academic institutions in not supporting the Administration’s changes to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. The Board of Directors agreed to sign a community letter, organized by the American Society for Engineering Education to raise our concerns to Members of Congress and the White House.
If you are also concerned about the implications of this restriction, I encourage you to let your elected officials know.