The potential drop in the number of international students studying in American colleges is an unfortunate circumstance of the Sept. 11 attacks. Federally proposed security measures regarding visiting students may ruin the chances of many who want to come to our country to study.

MSU is often considered a global campus in that we have a reputation of sending students abroad, as well as bringing international students here. It’s sad to see this diverse university atmosphere threatened.

It’s important for our students to be able to travel abroad and see another nation’s culture and study among its people. And it’s equally important for students from other countries to be able to come here and experience our culture. In a society that is becoming increasingly global, such an exchange is enormously beneficial to anyone who has the fortune to participate.

And the students on campuses that receive foreign students - in any country - are greatly enriched by sharing what they have with someone new to their customs.

That’s the beauty of a foreign student exchange.

The desire for heightened security stems from fears that have taken root since the recent terrorist attacks in New York and Washington. Supporters also cite evidence against some of those who were involved in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, which indicated they were here on student visas.

Since then, some lawmakers have called for a computer database that would be used to track international students. But as part of the proposal, the Immigration and Naturalization Service intended to charge a $94 fee to each international student to pay for the tracking system.

It’s important to note, although from another nation, that these are still college students. Increasing costs will only reduce the number of students traveling to our country, and hurt our own sense of diversity and the value of their - and our - education.

Tighter security on student visas would benefit national security as a whole, and should have been in place long ago. But other extreme measures do nothing but hinder the majority of innocent students who simply want to study. It’s not fair to students who want to travel and learn.

Perhaps the expected reduction in international students will keep out hidden terrorists. But it’s more likely it will simply rob students of the opportunity to explore a new culture and enrich their education.

The marginal amount of extra security isn’t worth that cost.