Fall 2009 Steering Committee Chair Letter: Fall Is Always a Busy Time!

Fall is always a busy time! For more students than ever before, fall at the University of Oregon started with a home stay with an FFIS member. In fact, we placed more than 140 students in homes. Thank you for your willingness to share your homes, your lives and your city with students.

We also saw a record turnout at the Fall Welcome Picnic, the most important FFIS event of the year. Based on the number of hot dogs consumed, we estimate more than 400 students, FFIS members and families came to eat, play and socialize.

This fall has also seen some changes in the FFIS Steering Committee. Two valued long-time members of the committee left to pursue other interests: Ellen Singer and Roger Ludeman.

As the Steering Committee chair, I want to express my thanks to both Ellen and Roger for their years of service to international students and scholars. We know they’ll both continue to stay involved, but we’ll also miss their presence around the table the first Wednesday of each month at our meetings.

We have, however, welcomed six new Steering Committee members to help us do the work we’re tasked with.  We’re thrilled to grow our team and get more people involved and excited about FFIS. If you’re interested in joining us, please email ffis@uoregon.edu for more information.

Finally, like most non-profits, operating on a lean budget requires FFIS to do a lot with a little – and we always manage. However, this year is particularly challenging. The University of Oregon’s Office of International Affairs provides some funds each year, but this year, a campus-wide freeze on budgets has resulted in less money being available and a leaner-than-normal outlook for FFIS this year.

If you’re available to support FFIS financially, we invite you to send a donation back in the enclosed envelope.

Thanks for all you do for international students and scholars!

Kelli Matthews
Chair, Steering Committee