Text Only Login to PAWS Baton Rouge, Louisiana |
LSU



The
International Cultural
Center (ICC)
Website
 

ISA Activities and Achievements

"Sounds of Healing IV" Concert
to Benefit the
Komma and Allam Memorial Garden

The concert was held at the ICC on Saturday, April 5th. It featured the music of "No Shame" and "Midlife Crisis"






Working Towards an Improved Health Insurance Plan for LSU Students

Starting fall 2007 LSU offers a new and improved student health insurance plan that provides an adequate coverage at reasonable premiums. Full-time graduate students appointed to a full-time graduate assistantship if enrolled in the proposed insurance plan now receive an insurance benefit of $350 per semester toward the cost of the plan.

According to the new plan, eligible international graduate students have to pay only $70 dollars per semester (Fall and Spring/Summer) if basic plan (default option) is chosen, $84 if standard plan is chosen, and $117 if enhanced plan is chosen.

Continuing international graduate student may recall that in 2005-2006 they had to pay $357 per semester for the basic plan offered. This constitutes a reduction of $287 in health costs per semester or $574 per year for an international graduate student with full assistantship at LSU.

The entire process of pushing toward the improved health insurance plan took more than three years and the participation of several ISA administrations as well as other organizations and individuals on campus.

In February 2004, the International Student Association lead by Francisco X. Aguilar with the collaboration from the Board of the ISA, its Advisor Dr. Richard Vlosky, and Dr. John Earle (International Hospitality Foundation) develop a survey aimed at assessing student concerns on the coverage and overall satisfaction with the current insurance policy and provider.

In March 2004, results are reported to the student population. Responses indicate a general dissatisfaction with coverage and provider.

In January of 2005 a meeting is held at the Student Health Center with the President of the ISA, its advisor, the Director of the Student health Center, Coordinator of Insurance at LSU, and other administrators to find solutions to the concerns expressed in the survey.

In March of 2005 a second health insurance survey is developed to include the comments raised during the January meeting and to follow-up on the concerns identified in 2004.

In April 2005 newly appointed Chancellor Sean O'Keefe visits the International Cultural Center and interacts with students. Results of the 2004 and 2005 surveys are presented to him.

The Student Health Insurance Committee including representatives from the ISA lead by President Indrajith Senevirathne meets in October 2005 with representatives of the insurance provider. ISA members point out the need to improve plan coverage and provider services.

In September of 2006 a new health insurance survey detects the same problems as in previous studies.

In October 2006 Francisco X. Aguilar, Graduate Student Association Representative for Insurance composes a letter co-signed by ISA President Aaron Yeboah and Vice-President Renee Wong asking for change in leadership in the Student Health Insurance Committee.

A Student Health Insurance Advisory Committee Meeting is created by the University and meets in November 2006 for the first time.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) is issued by the University in January 2007 to provide student health insurance services.

A new insurance provider is selected in March 2007.

In April 2007, the University announces a lump sum subsidy ($700) toward health insurance benefits to all full time graduate assistants.

International Leadership Forum 2007

After much debate on the degree of internationalization of the LSU campus, LSU student leaders came together on Saturday, December 01, 2007 to discuss the role of international student organizations on campus.

The International Leadership Forum 2007 was held at the International Cultural Center on the Northeast-side of the LSU campus. Leaders of the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, the International Studies Society, the Nigerian Students Organization, and the Vietnamese Student Association meet for the event initiated by the International Student Association.

The representatives of the various organizations used the beginning of the International Leadership Forum to inform each other about their respective organizations. Soon, common challenges and concerns emerged and the discussion opened up to address potential ways for collaboration and joint activities.

Ashley Murphy, Co-president of the International Studies Society, pointed out that it is often difficult to get information about activities and events of interest to internationally-minded students, faculty and staff on the LSU campus. The participants of the forum agreed to establish a website that collects and displays related information for the LSU community.

All participations shared the opinion that joint events, involving various international student organizations on campus, would benefit the campus greatly and simultaneously demonstrate the inclusiveness and diversity of the international community at LSU. Alvin Loi, from the Vietnamese Student Association, stressed the need for international student organizations to be inclusive and open to those interested in contributing their time and initiative.

Changsheng Wei, from the Chinese Students and Scholars Association, drew attention to ways in which the attending organizations can work with each other and the LSU administration to make LSU an even better place for students with an international background or mindset. Based on a discussion arising from comments made by Wei and Judith Udeke (Nigerian Students Organization), the forum participants agreed to collaborate on the administration of a survey of students, focusing on international issues at LSU.

The enthusiasm of the participants carried the discussion well past the originally scheduled meeting time of the International Leadership Forum 2007. The group agreed to repeat the forum, seeking for an even broader number of organizations to participate. “We have an extraordinary opportunity and responsibility to work jointly and in cooperation with the LSU administration to promote international issues on this campus as LSU moves into the future, Yves Damoiseau, President of the International Student Association, said when he concluded the meeting.


Discussion during the 2007 International Leadership Forum


Participants of the 2007 International Leadership Forum

LSU continues to raise funds for “Komma and Allam Support Fund”
  

BATON ROUGE – On Saturday, March 29, LSU’s International Student Association, or ISA, held a silent auction to raise funds in order to benefit the international community at LSU and around the world. Besides the auction, which offered an array of donated items, there was also a multicultural concert and dance performances. The event was held from 2 to 5 p.m. at the LSU International Cultural Center, 3365 Dalrymple Drive.

In the past, ISA has donated money for the victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia, Hurricane Katrina and most recently, an orphanage in Pakistan that cares for orphans affected by the earthquakes. This semester, ISA will donate funds to the “Komma and Allam Support Fund,” which benefits the families of the two international students who were murdered on LSU’s campus in December.

Some of the donated items that were available in the auction include artwork and souvenirs from around the world and LSU apparel and memorabilia, including a football signed by Les Miles. There were also be gift certificates from local business and restaurants featuring international and local cuisine.


The schedule for the March 29 event was as follows:

2:00 p.m. Beginning of silent auction
2:30 p.m. Chinese dancers
3:00 p.m. Chinese singers
3:30 p.m. Irish dancers
4:10 p.m. End of silent auction
4:30 p.m. American band, “Midlife Crisis”
4:30 - 5:00 p.m. Pick-up auction items

Dancing Performance during the Entertainment Part of the ISA Silent Auction

Chinese Dancers during the Entertainment Part of the ISA Silent Auction


"Midlife-Crisis" performing during the Entertainment Part of the ISA Silent Auction


Irish Dancers performing during the Entertainment Part of the ISA Silent Auction


Bidding during the ISA Silent Auction

LSU to build memorial to remember international students

BATON ROUGE – On Saturday, April 5, LSU’s International Student Association and LSU’s International Cultural Center will host a benefit concert to create the “Komma and Allam Memorial Garden.” The Sounds of Healing concert will help raise funds to build the memorial garden for the to two international students Kiran Kumar Allam and Chandrasekhar Reddy Komma who were slain on campus last fall. The future site for the garden will be at LSU’s International Cultural Center, 3365 Dalrymple Drive.
       
The concert, which will take place from 7 to 10 p.m. at the International Cultural Center, will feature the music of two local bands, No Shame and Midlife Crisis.
       
No Shame has been delighting local audiences since 2005 with refreshing, fun-loving acoustic folk-rock music. Covering favorites from the 1950s to the 1990s, No Shame brings audiences down memory lane with recognizable melodies full of rich harmonies.
       
Midlife Crisis, which features two of LSU’s professors, Jim Griffin and Rich Vlosky, will entertain the crowd with an eclectic mix of songs from artists such as Cream, Robert Johnson, Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Band and Creedence Clearwater Revival.
       
In the past, LSU’s International Students Association has generated funds for the victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia and for those affected by Hurricane Katrina. More recently, the International Students Association helped support an orphanage in Pakistan that cares for orphans affected by the earthquakes.
       
Upon the completion the “Komma and Allam Memorial Garden,” there will be an official dedication ceremony to honor and remember the two international students.
       
The Sounds of Healing concert is open to the public. Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for students and children 18 years old and younger.
Contact Information
3365 Dalrymple Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
phone: 225.342.3084
fax: 225.342.0864
email: yxu6@lsu.edu
The statements included on these pages are those of the International Student Association at LSU only.  The statements and opinions do not represent those of  Louisiana State University, or the LSU Board of Supervisors.
page revised: 23-Apr-2008