Authored by Vanessa Miller

Nearly two decades ago in his home state of Massachusetts, Christopher Merrill found himself in the “really sweet position” of distinguished writer-in-residence on the manicured campus of the College of the Holy Cross, where he held the William H. Jenks Chair in Contemporary Letters.

17 students chosen for 'life-changing opportunities'

The University of Iowa is weighing an idea to charge all undergraduates an extra $30 a year to encourage more of them to study abroad. The fee, if ultimately approved by UI leadership and the Board of Regents, would generate about $770,000 a year. That would boost study abroad support about 66 percent, according to Downing Thomas, associate provost and dean of International Programs. “Unlike any other fee, 100 percent of the revenue would go back to students in the form of scholarships,” he told faculty leaders this week in presenting the idea.

The UI’s 16 Fulbright students rank it No. 15th nationally among research universities — its highest ever placement, tying it with Stanford and Columbia universities, according to The Chronicle of Higher Education’s new rankings released this week. It demonstrates marked and continued improvement over its placement at No. 30 last year and No. 117 five years ago.

Monday’s Supreme Court decision largely permitting President Donald Trump’s travel ban is unlikely to affect international students at Iowa’s universities any more than the issue already has, according to officials and attorneys. The court signaled it will this fall take up the broader issue of the president’s authority in immigration matters. And around the nation, universities were reviewing Monday’s ruling that appears to exempt college students, faculty and lectures from the ban.

Meet a few of this year's recipients

UI President Harreld: It's 'wrong-headed'

Universities try to reassure international students they are welcome here

Chinese nationals account for the largest share of international students attending Iowa’s public universities, leaving administrators hopeful about the potential for their campuses of the governor’s nomination to be the U.S. ambassador to China. “I hope it will continue the strong connections,” Downing Thomas, the University of Iowa associate provost for academic affairs and dean of International Programs, said Wednesday. “Not only for Chinese students to come here, but for all UI students to hopefully benefit from the ties and connections that result.”

More robust orientations planned as signs point to a softening of international enrollments