Madison College’s Student Senate has recently unveiled a new ad hoc group, the International Student Affairs Committee, which focuses on representation, visibility, problem-solving and enhancing campus life for international students at Madison College.
The committee, still in its early stages, held its first meeting on Sept. 29. According to international Student Senator Furkan Sindar, who spearheaded the effort, the group’s mission is simple: give international students a stronger voice on campus.
“We represent about one percent of Madison College students,” Sindar said, noting there are currently 210 international students enrolled. “But beyond that, many students here speak English as a second language or identify with international backgrounds. We want to extend our reach to anyone who feels part of that community.”
From a barrier to an opportunity
The idea for the committee originated when Sindar, a third-year student from Turkey studying IT front-end and web software development, was initially informed that international students were ineligible for one of his programs. After further discussions with the Center for International Education (CIE), he was allowed to enroll. However, the experience raised larger questions about equity and access.
“It made me think — what happens to other students who want to study in certain programs but don’t have the same support?” Sindar said. “I realized we needed a space where international students could bring these concerns and work on solutions together.”
Building a platform for students
The committee is currently meeting in a hybrid format, with in-person sessions also available to join online, to ensure accessibility for all attendees. The Sept. 29 kickoff focused on setting goals and collecting input from students. Future meetings will involve collaboration with the CIE and Director Stephanie Belmas.
Sindar emphasized that transparency and communication are key priorities. He plans to keep students updated through Clarion coverage and other campus channels. “I want to give international students visibility,” he said. “Every move we make, students should know about it.”
Why it matters
International students, Sindar noted, bring more than diversity to campus. They also contribute to the college’s financial health, generating roughly $10 million annually for Madison-area institutions through tuition and local spending.
“If we improve international students’ campus and academic life, more students will choose Madison College,” Sindar said. “That diversity benefits everyone, international and domestic students alike.”
How to get involved
The committee is open to all students, faculty and staff. Meetings will be announced through the Clarion newsletter, the CIE newsletter and Student Senate communications. Sindar is also working to make information available through QR codes and eventually WolfPack Connect.
For now, Sindar sees the committee’s formation as just the beginning. “It’s already a great life we have here,” he said. “We just want to make it even better.”