Dear President Smith and Members of the Board of Regents,

I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing to express serious concerns regarding the Masters of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) program and Bachelor of Information Systems program and the overall state of the College of Business (COB) at Eastern Michigan University.

Outdated Curriculum: The MSIS program feels increasingly outdated, lacking alignment with the current industry standards and the dynamic nature of technology, causing the curriculum to feel irrelevant in today’s job market.

Shared Classes and Tuition Discrepancy: Throughout my studies, I have taken 27 credits, all of which have been in classes shared with undergraduate students. Despite this shared format, there is a stark discrepancy in tuition, with international graduate students like myself paying $1659.00 per credit, compared to the significantly lower undergraduate tuition of $475.00.

Limited Faculty Diversity: One professor has taught 18 out of the 27 credits that I have completed. While the Professor is competent, it begs the question: How can one individual be an expert in so many diverse aspects of technology? This suggests a concerning lack of faculty depth in the program.

Advisory Support: The absence of a dedicated graduate COB advisor has complicated academic planning and course selection, leading to challenges in navigating the educational pathway effectively.

Challenges due to Insufficient Course Offerings: Both international and non-international students are facing difficulties due to a lack of available courses. This limitation has forced some students, including myself, to change our specializations within the MSIS program. For international students, insufficient course offerings pose an additional risk, jeopardizing our ability to maintain legal residency. It compels us to enroll in courses outside of our focus areas to meet the 9 credits per semester requirement essential for maintaining legal student status.

International Student Challenges: International students like myself face additional challenges. To gain real-world experience, we require Curricular Practical Training (CPT) work authorization, necessitating approval from both a Professor and a COB advisor. The lack of timely responses has caused substantial delays in the authorization process, impacting our ability to gain practical experience in a timely manner.

Facility and Resource Concerns: The facilities in the COB also leave much to be desired. It appears as though the college has been relegated to an old dormitory building, complete with slow, outdated computers and insufficient air conditioning, making it difficult to focus and study effectively.

I encourage other students, both international and resident, who have faced similar challenges, to join in expressing these concerns. Your experiences and voices are vital in advocating for necessary improvements and ensuring the quality of our education.

We look forward to your urgent attention and action on these matters to enhance the quality and relevance of the IS program at Eastern Michigan University.

Sincerely,

Anas Milhem
Masters of Science in Information Systems