An informational report given at yesterday's University Faculty Senate meeting revealed a sharp decrease in the number of international applications to the university's graduate school.

According to the report presented by Eva Pell, vice president for research and dean of the graduate school, "international graduate applications are plummeting."

However, Pell said the trend is affecting schools nationwide.

She said the number of international students who applied to Penn State's graduate school last year dropped 32 percent, which reflects the national average as well.

Penn State spokesman Tysen Kendig said the university is not alarmed by short-term figures, because statistics may change over the next few years.

"When we look at admission trends, we do not look at changes over the course of one year but rather long-term trends," Kendig said.

Pell said today's political climate may be responsible for sending a message to foreign students that the United States is not welcoming because of regulations imposed upon them, including greater difficulty in obtaining visas.

As a result, students are opting to travel to countries other than the United States, such as the United Kingdom and Australia, Pell said.

Pell also said fewer international students are applying for admission to U.S. schools because of more opportunities to study in their home countries.

"If you can stay home and get a good education, it's not always clear if you should come here," she said.

Pell said to attract more foreign applicants, Penn State should promote a warmer climate for international graduate students.

Statistics also indicate a drop in domestic graduate student applications to Penn State.

"We need to promote more effectively, for all domestic students, the excitement and merit of graduate education," Pell said. "We do not do a good job in inspiring students in what they can do in various fields."

Faculty Senate also discussed an amendment to the Senate Constitution that would add two additional student representatives to the Faculty Senate, one from the Undergraduate Student Government Academic Assembly and one from the Council of Commonwealth Student Governments.

Senate Chair Kim Steiner said the amendment would not be voted on until the next Faculty Senate meeting, Oct. 26 at Penn State Harrisburg.

Sen. Ashley Harris from the College of Liberal Arts said dialogue concerning the student representation amendment was brief and left much discussion open for the next meeting.