Support the removal of barriers to the open exchange of scholars between all nations and oppose limitations on student and faculty study abroad, except in instances of personal health and security issues.

Expand student exchange programs with foreign countries for colleges and universities, and further ease travel restrictions imposed by the Department of Treasury that serve as barriers to student/faculty exchanges with Cuba.

Support funding for international programs managed by the Department of Education: Title VI of the Higher Education Act: International Education Programs, Fulbright-Hays and the Institute for International Public Policy.

Relieve problems associated with the valid acquisition of H-1B visas and EB green cards.

Protect provisions under current law that permit exemptions from the annual visa cap on H-1B visas for the academic community.

Support changes in legislation that would raise the current limitation on new visas per year imposed on employers from the business community.

Support the VISA process that increases access into the U.S. for legitimate international students and scholars, in part through the effective utilization of biometric technology employed by U.S. VISIT.

Increase funding for the programs in the America COMPETES Act and support specific funding designations to public four-year institutions for research and workforce development in energy and sustainability fields, including the Professional Science Masters program. In 2009-2010, according to the most recent IPEDS data, AASCU institutions awarded approximately 32 percent of bachelor's degrees in the United States in mathematics and statistics, 24 percent of bachelor's degrees in computer and information science and 16 percent of bachelor's degrees in engineering.

■ Recognize the contributions of each sector of higher education in the strengthening of STEM fields—the resources of the entire community must be tapped when creating, funding and implementing STEM programs that