From: Ning Luo <ningluo@ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU>
Subject:      Report on a survey conducted among IFCSS Council members
Reply-To: Ning Luo <ningluo@ACSU.BUFFALO.EDU>
Organization: Indiana University
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1992 15:30:41 GMT
Comments: To: china-nt@uga.cc.uga.edu

Dear netters:

        Here is a report on a survey I conducted among the members
of the IFCSS Council before their first teleconference on Aug. 15, 1992.
The survey is intended to help the general CSS community to know the
thoughts of their representatives in the Council on issues related
to this teleconference (e.g. IFCSS budget and nomination of working
committee chairpersons) and on issues that concern us in general.

        I would like to express my sincere thanks to the 9 Council
members who have responded me on a short notice (the survey questions
were sent out on Wed. Aug 12 and I requested the return of answers
before 8/15's teleconference): Liu Yuhe, Dong Liqun, Shen Tong,
Li Chenjian, Tang Jianxin, Xu Bing, Hwang Kai, Mu Liyue, and Li Wenyan.
I would specially thank the representatives from the East region where
I belong --- Mu Liyue and Xu Bing --- for their support.

        Among the 7 Council members who did not reply, I wasn't able
to contact some of them.  Some also offered suggestions or opinions
about the survey.  I appreciate their concerns and hope more Council
members would participate next time :-).

        I hope this kind of dialogues will become more relaxed and
"routine".  We are living in an information age.  We have at our
disposal convenient media of communications.  I hope our netters
could also improve our share of the work and let our representatives
know better what are our concerns and ideas and what we wish them to do.

        Thanks for your attention.


                Sincerely,

                Luo Ning
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Report on a survey among the members of the Council(IV)/IFCSS
                 before its first teleconference on 8/15/92

Notes:
(1) The following abbreviations for the names of the Council members are used
in the report:

Abbreviation         Name                School                    Region
------------    ---------------   ----------------------      ---------------
     TJ         Tang,  Jianxin      Brandeis U.                   Northeast
     XY         Xu,    Yi           U. of Connecticut             Northeast
     XB         Xu,    Bing         U. of Penn.                      East
     ML         Mu,    Liyue        U. of Rochester                  East
     HK         Hwang, Kai          Virginia Tech.               Mid-Atlantic
     LY         Liu,   Yuhe         U. of Maryland               Mid-Atlantic
     FH         Fan,   Hongran      U. of Miami                   Southeast
     LG         Li,    Gang         Emory U.                      Southeast
     LC         Li,    Chenjian     Purdue U.                     Mid-west
     LJ         Li,    Jinghong     U. of Dayton                  Mid-west
     QY         Qi,    Yenong       Oregon State U.               Northwest
     DL         Dong,  Liqun        U. of Washington              Northwest
     LW         Li,    Wenyan       New Mexico Highland U.        Southwest
     QJ         Qian,  Jianjun      UT at Dallas                  Southwest
     HS         Huang, Songyun      U. of Arizona                  Pacific
     ST         Shen,  Tong         Foothill College               Pacific

(2) My school's computer is down until Wed., so I edited the report from the
    print-out of the answers and corrected a few typos.  I am responsible
    for any mistakes made in the editing process.
(3) Ms. Li Wenyan had some problem sending e-mail last Friday.  Unfortunately,
    my computer's network was also down so I didn't receive her message
    forwarded to me until Sunday.  Therefore, when I called her by phone
    on Sunday, I didn't ask her questions in (1) and (2) since I thought it
    would be unnecessary and unfair.
========================= SURVEY ===========================================
>Dear Council members:
>
>       The problem of "how many CSS could IFCSS represent" is
>critical for the present and future well-being of IFCSS.  This question
>was raised and hotly debated before the Fourth Convention of IFCSS last June,
>and was therefore one of the central issues discussed during the Convention.
>Whether or not IFCSS could face this challenge with resolution is a test
>on IFCSS's viability.  Besides the annual convention once every year,
>the Council is the major institutions of IFCSS to represent its constituents.
>It is also the only regular channel for the grassroots members of IFCSS to
>influence its decision-making body on constitutional basis.
>
>       To help the general public to have a better understanding about
>the viewpoints of the Council/IFCSS members, to serve also as an
>self-introduction of the new Council to the IFCSS community nationwide,
>also inspired by Councilman Liu Yuhe's recent survey within the Council,
>I drafted a  following questionnaire.  This is a more comprehensive survey
>on various issues that CSS may be concerned about and will provide the IFCSS
>community a relatively integrated view of your positions and views.
>
>       Please take a few minutes to answer them.
>Your answers will be posted to China-net and CCNL.  I believe your effort
>is a step forward in improving the dialogues between you and your constituents
>and will be highly appreciated.  Any comments are also most welcome
>and please send them back together with answers.
>
>       Thank you.
>
>
>                                       Sincerely,
>
>                                       Luo Ning
>--------------------------------------------------------------------------
>       The questionnaire to Council members before 1st teleconference
>
>(1) On proposed budget
>
>A. How does this year's proposed budget compared with the last year's?
>   (i) a. increased
>       b. decreased
>       c. don't know

   Q #      TJ  XY  XB  ML  HK  LY  FH  LG  LC  LJ  QY  DL  LW  QJ  HS  ST
---------  ----------------------------------------------------------------
(1)A(i)     a       c   a   a*  a           *           a               a

(* means there are some remarks)

HK: The revenue is increased.
LC: Roughly the same.

>   (ii) a. better prepared
>        b. worse prepared
>        c. about the same
>        d. no comment

   Q #      TJ  XY  XB  ML  HK  LY  FH  LG  LC  LJ  QY  DL  LW  QJ  HS  ST
---------  ----------------------------------------------------------------
(1)A(ii)    a       d   c   c*  c           c           a               a

HK: :-) We have a finance committee which will study the budget thoroughly.
    But I am not in it.

>B. What are the major financial resources of IFCSS now?
>   Please specify.

TJ: Donation, student service, grants from foundations.
XB: Donation, student service, grants from foundations.
ML: Donations from society.
HK: Donations from society.
LY: Donation, Grant, and Service.
LC: 1. Taiwan fund 2. insurance 3. grant.
DL: Donation, Fund-raising, and Service
    (I've talked with some relevant people.)

> C. Who are the four full-time staff members in HQ?
>    Please list the names you know.

TJ: Geng Xiao, He Baoping, Zhang Qingsong.
XB: Geng Xiao, He Baoping, Zhang Qingsong.
ML: Geng Xiao (president), He Baoping (vice president),
    Zhang Qingsong (executive director), Mr. Karl Bunday.
HK: Geng Xiao, He Baoping, Zhang Qingsong, an American lawyer and a treasure.
LY: Geng Xiao, He Baoping, Zhang Qingsong, and an American from Minnesota.
LC: Only three full timer: Geng Xiao, Zhang Qingsong, Bunday.
DL: Geng Xiao, He Baoping, Zhang Qingsong, Karl B.
ST: Only three positions fixed.

> (2) On the nomination of committee chairpersons

DL: Sorry, I cannot answer A and B.  Your questions C, D, and E are what
    I am concerning right now.  I will require the staff of HQ answer them
    first.

>A. How many committees are newly established this year?
>   Please give the number here ==>

TJ: 12.
ML: 5.
HK: Not sure.
LY: 10 committees, an Office and Newsletter.
LC: 5:  Humanitarian, China Economic Development, Communication Service,
        Professional Club, Exchange Program.
ST: 5.

>B. How many committees in the last year do not exist anymore this year?
>   Please give the number here ==>

TJ: 4.
ML: 2.
HK: Not sure.
LY: 4 committees.
LC: Don't know.
ST: 1.

>C. What is the function of Committee on Scientific, Cultural and Educational
>   Exchange with China?
>   Please specify.

TJ: Economic and cultural exchange with China.
ML: To undertake projects which would help China advance in science,
    culture and education.
HK: To promote the exchange between overseas Chinese and China in the level
    of science, culture and education.
LY: Promote the exchange of science, culture, and education with China.
LC: To contact by any means with government, school or agent to establish
    the influence to China via exchange program.
ST: Bridge of AEIC and IFCSS.

>D. What is the function of China Economic Development Committee?
>   Please specify.

TJ: Business involvement.
ML: To undertake projects which would help China advance in economy.
HK: To promote the economic development in China.
LY: Assist China's economic development.
LC: That, as I know is the project by Yang Guang, which is wide open for
    all kinds of possibilities.
ST: Don't know.

>E. Is there any difference between the functions of Human Rights Committee
>   and Humanitarian Assistance Committee?
>   a. Yes (please specify)
>   b. no
>   c. don't know

TJ: Yes.  HR: collect and compile information of China's human rights record;
          HA: help the victims in and out of China based on humanitarian point
              of view.
ML: No.
HK: The HRC cares about the human rights condition in China, while HAC cares
    about the human condition in China on the humanitarian bases.
LY: Yes, Human right committee focuses Chinese human rights, while
    humanitarian committee will help to rescue Chinese people from dangers,
    for examples, flood, earthquake, or persecuted by the government due to
    the reason of politics, religions, etc..
LC: Yes, humanitarian committee will concentrate on the victims of 6/4, its
    political gesture is lower than Human Rights [Committee], which basically
    cares more about the well-known prisoners and a high political profile.
ST: Don't know.

>(3) On current issues
>
> A. What's your view on the impacts of S1216 if it becomes law?
>    (i) its effects on China-US relation (diplomatic, exchange, etc.) is
>        a. positive
>        b. negative
>        c. not significant
>        d. don't know


   Q #      TJ  XY  XB  ML  HK  LY  FH  LG  LC  LJ  QY  DL  LW  QJ  HS  ST
---------  ----------------------------------------------------------------
(3)A(i)     c       c   c   c   c           a*          c   c*          a

LC: Positive -- in a sense that Beijing regime will know that there is
    something not for sale.
LW: Positive in long term.

>   (ii) its effects on those CSS came to US after 4/11/90
>        a. positive
>        b. negative
>        c. not significant
>        d. don't know

   Q #      TJ  XY  XB  ML  HK  LY  FH  LG  LC  LJ  QY  DL  LW  QJ  HS  ST
---------  ----------------------------------------------------------------
(3)A(ii)    a       d   c   a   a           a*          c   a           a

LC: Actually it should be 100% positive, but we need to work very hard
    to convince them --- there is a huge confusion out there.

> B. What's your view on S1216 lobbying activities of IFCSS?
>    (i) Should IFCSS lobby for S1216?
>        a. yes
>        b. no
>        c. neutral
>        d. no comment

   Q #      TJ  XY  XB  ML  HK  LY  FH  LG  LC  LJ  QY  DL  LW  QJ  HS  ST
---------  ----------------------------------------------------------------
(3)B(i)     a       a   a   a   a           a           c   a           a

>    (ii) How is IFCSS's performance on S1216 (please skip this if you
>         answered "no" in (3)B(i) )?
>         a. very good
>         b. good
>         c. so so
>         d. poor
>         e. very poor

   Q #      TJ  XY  XB  ML  HK  LY  FH  LG  LC  LJ  QY  DL  LW  QJ  HS  ST
---------  ----------------------------------------------------------------
(3)B(ii)    a       b   b   b               b*          b   b           b

LC: Good.  But still need to improve.

>  C. Are you satisfied with the result of the recent emergency meeting
>     initiated by Li Jinghong to mediate between HQ and CCSA?
>         a. yes
>         b. no
>         c. so so
>         d. no comment

   Q #      TJ  XY  XB  ML  HK  LY  FH  LG  LC  LJ  QY  DL  LW  QJ  HS  ST
---------  ----------------------------------------------------------------
(3)C        a       a   a   a   a           a*          a   a           a

LC: Yes, for the time being, this is the best we can do.

>   D. What's the current situation on Capital Hill about the MFN issue?
>      Please specify.

TJ: Still debating in Congress.
XB: Not clear.
ML: Don't know.
HK: It passed Senate.
LY: New version which would punish Chinese state-run enterprises has
    passed the House.
LC: Not much attention paid and some congressmen are very dissatisfied --
    they think Chinese students are too selfish.  Partly it is true.  Partly,
    because this issue is so split within the students (50% pro, 50% con),
    that is another reason that the students are not organized.
DL: I don't care.
LW: The bill is still in Congress.
ST: Positively support conditional renew.

>   E. What's IFCSS's current position on this issue?
>      a. MFN with human rights condition
>      b. MFN with conditions on human rights, nuclear proliferation
>         and unfair trading
>      c. other (please specify)
>      d. don't know

   Q #      TJ  XY  XB  ML  HK  LY  FH  LG  LC  LJ  QY  DL  LW  QJ  HS  ST
---------  ----------------------------------------------------------------
(3)E        a       a   d   a   a           a           a   a           a

>   F. In your view, should IFCSS do anything about NBC's "flavored" reports
>      on Chinese Olympic athletes?
>        a. yes
>        b. no
>        c. either way is ok

   Q #      TJ  XY  XB  ML  HK  LY  FH  LG  LC  LJ  QY  DL  LW  QJ  HS  ST
---------  ----------------------------------------------------------------
(3)F        c       b   c   c*  c           c           a   a           b

HK: I prefer that Chinese students call the NBC offices as viewers and
    audiences.  What NBC has said is protected by the law of free speech.
    To protest NBC as an organization is not as effective as to protest
    by many viewers.

>(4) Miscellaneous
>
> A. Have you had any previous experience with previous Councils
>    (e.g. auditing their meetings, assisting their work, etc.)?
>    If yes, please specify.

TJ: No.
XB: No.
ML: No.
HK: No.
LY: No.
LC: No, I didn't work for IFCSS Council at all.  Actually I didn't attend
    1-3 congresses.
DL: Yes. I've discussed something interesting with them.
LW: No.
ST: Yes.

> B. Please specify your previous experiences of working for CSS in general
>    and IFCSS in particular.

TJ: Local CSSA President (91-92).
XB: U. of Arizona CSSA Vice President (91-92).
ML: I worked as chairperson of local CSSA in 1990-91.
    Have no experience of working in IFCSS.
HK: I am the acting president of ACSS in Virginia Tech and have joined
    many activities organized by IFCSS like lobbying conditional MFN and
    demonstrations.  I attended the third IFCSS congress as a working staff.
LY: Active in local CGSA. Any IFCSS activities as a general CSS.
LC: Only during 6/4, I was the spokesman for CSS at Georgia Tech, to the CNN.
    (CNN is right next door to Georgia Tech, so whatever we did, they would
    report).
DL: Involved in local ACSS activities.
LW: President, school's International Student Association
               (there is no CSSA in the school);
    President, state's International Student Association;
    Student Senator at the school;
    President, school's Graduate Student Association;
    Secretary, Associated Students of New Mexico.