FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
June 28, 2010
Contact:
Elizabeth Blevins, Director, Office of Communications
Office: (740) 351-3810; FAX: (740) 351-3179; Cell: (740) 464-4854
940 Second Street – Portsmouth, Ohio 45662
E-mail: eblevins@shawnee.edu
Web site: www.shawnee.edu
Rita Haider, interim director at Shawnee State
University’s Center for International Programs and
Activities, left, and international student from Kenya and
CIPA student assistant, Lawi Langat, stand in front of the
bicycles that have been donated to the International Student
Bicycle Loan Program. Many more bicycles and accessories are
needed for the program with 24 new exchange students coming
from China, Germany, Spain, Morocco, Krygzstan, Azerbaijan,
Tajikistan, Pakistan and the Ukraine. Another 25 students
are coming from different countries for four-year programs.
Langat is a junior in the computer engineering program.
Bicycles needed for international students at Shawnee
State University
When international students come to Shawnee State
University, they can only bring clothes, so the Center for
International Programs and Activities created a lending
closet with everything from cooking utensils to blankets,
pillows, phones, and winter coats to help the students
during their stay at the university.
But one
important item was forgotten until now – bicycles for
transportation around town. About 24 new exchange students
from China, Germany, Spain, Morocco, Krygzstan, Azerbaijan,
Tajikistan, Pakistan and the Ukraine are expected to begin
in the fall semester.
“That doesn’t
count the international students who are already here
studying for a degree,” said Interim Director Rita Haider.
“This is the most in exchange students we have ever had at
one time. It depends on the visas but we had another 14
apply for new four-year degree programs and 11 more are
returning students.”
In the past,
these students had to walk everywhere but now a new bike
program, the International Student Bicycle Loan Program, is
in place to help students have much more freedom to buy
groceries, run errands, go to restaurants, and travel around
town.
Because of
the bicycle laws in the United States that many students may
not be aware of, SSU Security Officers Bernard Cooper and
Corey Fischer have been assigned to develop a training
program for the students. The bikes will also be registered
and photographed for identification.
“The students
will have to go through a security orientation before they
can ride a bike,” Haider said.
Used bicycles
in good working condition are requested. Not only bicycles
but helmets, bike locks, water bottles and carriers, bike
racks, headlights and rear lights are needed. All gifts to
the program are tax deductible contributions. Bikes,
accessories or money to purchase bikes and parts can be
donated. For more information, contact Haider at CIPA, (740)
351-3127 or e-mail
rhaider@shawnee.edu.
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