Comments and/or action period ends on May 27. miraj ///// Student of Concern Will we be more secure -- or just less competitive -- if the government forces hundreds of thousands of international science students to get export licenses simply to look through a microscope? By CRISTI HEGRANES http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2005-05-18/news/feature.html?src=default_rss [snip] ... New federal rules proposed by the Department of Commerce in March could impede Gupta's access to educational equipment and force him to apply for government licenses to use specific technology in the classroom, each of which could take months to acquire. In fact, hundreds of thousands of international students and scientists working and studying in the U.S. could lose access to equipment and technology that they have had routine use of until now. Because Gupta is studying chemical engineering, he will eventually encounter what the government calls "dual-use technology" -- technology that has both civilian and military applications. Under the new Commerce Department proposal, the use of everything from basic computer systems, semiconductors, and training manuals to microscopes and telescopes will require some international students to apply for government licenses before they can legally have access to or study the technology. [snip] *** Despite the potential for negative long-term consequences from the new deemed export licensing rules, their implementation will never be voted on in the Senate or issued by executive order. Rather, the State Department, which has full authority to implement any export restriction it sees fit, published the proposed rules for a 60-day discussion period that will end on May 27. During that time the department will take into consideration comments and opinions from anyone interested enough to send one. That is, if anyone is aware of the issue. ...As the 60-day discussion period goes on mostly unnoticed, many worry that at this point, nothing can be done about the proposed regulation of foreign students as deemed exports. For students and educators alike, the rules seem stifling and unfair *** http://www.sfweekly.com/issues/2005-05-18/news/feature.html?src=default_rss Miraj Khaled ============ techiemik@yahoo.com mindexplorer.blogspot.com __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com