California State University, Los Angeles Reduces International Student Advisory Staff
California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA) has recently undergone layoffs that slashed its international student advisory team from three staff members to just one. To address this significant reduction, the university has engaged a private vendor to assist with immigration compliance tasks via software and human expertise.
Expanded Partnership with Terra Dotta
CSULA has broadened its collaboration with Terra Dotta, a software company specializing in managing international and study abroad programs. The partnership now encompasses Terra Dotta’s new service that functions as a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) coordinator. This advancement makes CSULA the first university to implement the product for federally mandated reporting requirements, as highlighted in a recent news release.
Balancing Service Demands with Limited Resources
Matthew Walters, CSULA’s Executive Director of International Programs, emphasized the importance of this service, equating it to the workload of two designated school employees. He noted that without this external support, maintaining compliance would be virtually impossible. “All of our time is spent on continuing to work on SEVIS and pushing batches of student data, leaving no time for other advising responsibilities,” Walters explained.
Compliance Challenges Under Federal Regulations
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) oversees compliance through the SEVIS database, which monitors international students in the United States, a system established in the wake of the 9/11 attacks. Federal regulations mandate that educational institutions maintain up-to-date records on student enrollment, addresses, employment statuses, and other critical changes. Noncompliance can lead to severe consequences, including the potential revocation of a school’s designation, as evidenced by Harvard University’s loss of status last year.
Impact of Budget Cuts and Policy Changes
At CSULA, budgetary constraints are exacerbating these compliance challenges. A hiring freeze coupled with a 7.9% cut in the budget for the 2025-26 academic year has left the Office of International Programs severely understaffed, with just one advisor catering to hundreds of international students. According to a case study from Terra Dotta, this situation has led to a doubling of processing times from seven to fourteen days, transforming advisory exchanges into more transactional interactions.
Technological Solutions to Streamline Workflows
In light of these challenges, CSULA is leveraging technology to enhance efficiency. The university employs software that bridges campus databases and SEVIS, automating the transfer of data and centralizing student records. A student portal allows for rapid updates, significantly reducing the lag time between students’ changes and the school’s responses. For instance, in emergency situations, such as a sudden need to leave the country, students can obtain necessary travel signatures more easily than before, making compliance less cumbersome.
Cost-Effective Strategies to Manage Compliance
Walters noted that the effectiveness of this software hinges on the accuracy of the data it utilizes. The university also benefits from Terra Dotta’s coordinators, who offer specialized expertise for compliance tasks, reducing the workload related to these responsibilities by 53% and saving approximately $90,000. A case study detailed how the university was able to address a backlog of over 400 record changes in just three weeks.
While the primary focus of international offices generally revolves around enriching the campus experience for international students, the constant demand for compliance remains a critical priority. Walters stressed the delicate balance of maintaining this focus while navigating the complexities of immigration regulations.
