UTM Chancellor Nick Dunagan returned from Russia ,this time with hope. Unlike a previous trip in 1989, when the Soviet Union still existed, Dunagan said he saw a lot of change in Russian society. He said the Russians are “friendly and engaging” and he is optimistic that Russians and Americans will begin to grow closer. Dunagan talked about his Oct. 22-30 trip to Moscow, St. Petersburg and Novgorod during an informal gathering of faculty and students Thursday afternoon at the Holland-McCombs Building. He was invited on the trip by Constantine “Dino” Curris, president of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and former president of Murray State University. The trip was coordinated by the AASCU and included the presidents of AASCU, Southwest Missouri State University, the University of North Dakota and a representative of the University of Northern Iowa. The trip included visits to six Russian higher-education institutions in St. Petersburg and Moscow, a state-of-the-art private medical clinic and a high school English class. Major topics discussed with Russian student groups and others were: the resurgence of religion in the former Soviet Union, the status of higher education in that part of the world, and the value of studying abroad for American students encountered by the delegation during the trip. Dunagan said the three most substantial changes he saw this trip, as compared to 1989, were: • Number of automobiles. “There were five lanes of traffic and seven lanes of cars going down five lanes of traffic,” he said, referring to the larger number of automobiles. • Commerce. Many more stores were evident, at least in the cities, he said. In 1989, items for sale were often only one-deep on the shelves. “This time, the merchandise, and the quality of the merchandise I thought was significantly greater all the way around,”he said. • Advertising. He mentioned colorful billboards, banners and neon lights, and said the drab appearance historically associated with the Soviet Union “had changed remarkably.” Once the group left St. Petersburg and Moscow, however, the countryside had not changed much, he said, citing gravel roads, fewer automobiles and substandard housing. In talking with the American students who were studying in Russia, he said nearly all of them commented that it would be hard to come back home. Each was invigorated by the international study experience and excited about constantly learning. Though American male students were initially intimidated by the Russian male students, who were very aggressive in discussions about politics and other subjects, the American women students said the Russian men were “a lot more well-mannered and cultured” than the American males were. Dunagan said the Russian students were “very bright” and had excellent English skills. Between 70 to 75 percent of Russian college students are women. Most of those who had been to America had been to the University of Northern Iowa, so their impressions were developed by actually visiting as opposed to images they'd seen in the media. All the students said they loved America, and the top question from students who had not been to America was how they could come here to study. Another major change, Dunagan said, is that U.S. State Department money once sent primarily to Russia is now shifting to outlying countries that formerly belonged to the Soviet Union. Student visas to the United States, he said, also are hard to obtain, largely related to the events of Sept. 11, 2001. The delegation's visit coincided with the Chechen hostage situation in Moscow that ended tragically. Dunagan and the group were constantly exposed to discussions about and reactions to this major news event. “Wherever we went, usually that was the first topic of conversation,” he said, adding that there is “tremendous disdain” for the Chechens. “I really don't have very much faith that that issue is going to be resolved peacefully in any way. I just don't see it happening.” The Russians, Dunagan said, were quick to equate the situation to Sept. 11, for which the Russians had great sympathy. “Unfortunately, it was that kind of very negative incident that brought us together, because there was a common point of what terrorism was doing to both countries,” he said. The people he talked with were supportive of President Vladimir Putin and approved Putin's decision to storm the theater during the Chechen crisis. Dunagan said the younger generation is embracing the freedoms they now have, while the older generation still values the stability experienced in Soviet times. The most rapid growth in religion, too, is among young people, he said. “Religion is definitely making a comeback in Russia. Churches that were once museums or that were once storage facilities are now practicing orthodox churches. You can see a lot of renovation on those particular churches,” he said. Along with visiting college student groups, the delegation also visited a sophomore-level high school English class. The class was divided into groups that were asked to “build a new world” The students described a world that would have an elected president, two houses of government, a minimal police force, no death penalty and strict environmental laws. “Sound familiar?” Dunagan said. He added that the average faculty member's salary in Russia is only $75 to $100 per month. Most teachers have two or more jobs. Dunagan came back from the trip even more convinced that international experiences are important for students and faculty. “In reality, the number of our students that end up going to Russia ... there's not going to be a whole lot of them. But that same enthusiasm, that same added experience can take place in France, in Germany, Japan, or wherever it might be.”