International Students may need export licenses to use science equipment 

SF Weekly has an article on a possible new requirement for international students, requiring them to apply for export licenses. To gain these licenses can be quite a hassle for these students, as it requires them to get one for every piece of equipment they use in labs. And while it costs a $1 per license, it could amount to hundreds of dollars for a PhD student. The policy will apply to "countries of concern" like "China, Cuba, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Libya, North Korea, Pakistan, Russia, Sudan, and Syria."

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.

Just as guns and corn require export licenses when shipped abroad, the transfer of knowledge to foreign students in U.S. universities has long been classified a "deemed export" under U.S. Export Administration regulations and can also require a license. But it is only students such as [chemical engineering major Arjun Gupta], who are from what the government calls "countries of concern," who will be hit by the new rules, which target students based solely on nationality.

According to changes recommended by the Department of Commerce, universities could soon be forced to apply for individual licenses from the federal government before they can "export" knowledge to specific students about the operation, installation, maintenance, or repair of certain equipment. But thousands of academic subjects fit into the dual-use category, including computer science; mathematics; civil, mechanical, and nuclear engineering; and biological and chemical studies.

Calstuff has previously posted on other problems international students have faced with visas and homeland security. Cal Patroit Blog has more analysis.Email This Post!