UpDate - Vol. 14, No. 11, Page 6
November 10, 1994
Return visit to Russia reveals dramatic changes

     Rob Longwell-Grice, assistant director for residence life, first
went to Moscow in 1986. During a return visit, he discovered the way
of life has changed dramatically and university life also is in a
stage of transition.
     For three weeks at two Moscow universities-Moscow State Technical
University, founded in 1830 with 20,000 students, and the Russian
State University for the Humanities, recently founded in 1991 with
4,000 students-Longwell-Grice experienced and observed college life,
Russian style.
     He visited the schools for a research project-a comparative study
of how Russian and America college students view family relationships
and values, which is in part funded by Mid-Atlantic College and
University Officials (MACUO).
     Longwell-Grice had hoped to live with Russian students in a
dormitory but discovered that 99 percent of Russian students are
commuters and that the living quarters are predominantly for
foreigners.. However, he had many opportunities to interact with
students, faculty and administrators.
     To gain admission to the university of their choice, Russian
students must pass a competitive examination given once a year,
Longwell-Grice said. Those who pass are the elite and are given
tuition, books and fees, plus a stipend of $9 a month. In the past,
failure meant waiting another year to repeat the exam, but now those
students can still attend if they pay their own tuition.
     Universities have much more freedom in what they teach. It's no
longer the party line, but conversely, funding has been cut back and
money is tight. Administrators are interested in establishing exchange
programs with the West, Longwell-Grice said.
     Jobs used to be assured for university graduates. Now nothing is
guaranteed, and professors network to help their students find
positions.
     Classrooms in Russian are quite different, Longwell-Grice
discovered. While the professor and some students may be taking part
in intense discussions, other groups are disengaged and talk among
themselves. The classes are generally small with about 20 students.
     Both Moscow universities had computers with Internet capability
but not at the widespread level found in American universities.
     There are no student activities centers and fewer student
services, such as counseling. Since food was subsidized, it was
plentiful and inexpensive, but choices were limited, Longwell-Grice
said.
     Living conditions are Spartan by American standards. One high
rise dormitory was without water for a week, and heat is scarce.
     There is much more freedom in Russia today than in 1986, however.
On his last visit, Longwell-Grice's movements were restricted, but
this time, he was free to go anywhere.
     Goods used to be in short supply, but now the streets are lined
with small shops and kiosks with people selling all kinds of items.
Longwell-Grice said. In the past, the only newspaper was Pravda, but
now newspapers abound, including several English language papers.
There also are many more cars on the road.
     For his research on family relationships, Longwell-Grice devised
a questionnaire that he is using with both American and Russian
students. The survey covers background, religious affiliation and a
series of issues ranging from crime to the environment. Students were
asked to compare their values with their perceptions of their parents'
attitudes.
     Although his research is not complete, Longwell-Grice noticed
similarities and differences between the two groups. He made a
presentation of his preliminary findings at a MACUO meeting in October
and has been asked to speak at an American College Personnel
Association conference.
     "In general, becoming a college student means being more
independent and breaking away from parents," Longwell-Grice said. "For
many American students, this is easier because they no longer live at
home. Russian students, on the other hand, live at home and have to
make more compromises. Also, Russian college students are somewhat
younger, ranging in age from 16 to 20."
     Longwell-Grice said he was surprised at the number of one-parent
households in Russia, where the divorce rate is 50 percent. Several
students stated they had no father. However, the mothers of the
students frequently held responsible and professional jobs.
     Religious beliefs covered the spectrum from Russian Orthodox to
Baptists to declared atheism.
     In general, Russian students felt they were more liberal than
their parents in such areas as politics, religion, attitudes towards
sex and acceptance of people of other cultures and races. Women's
rights and the environment were not issues of great concern to them.
     In the area of use of drugs and alcohol, Russian students said
they were more conservative than their parents. Alcohol is widely
available, but drug usage is low in Russia, Longwell-Grice said.
     In other areas, Russian students placed more emphasis on
individual rights than community rights and making money was a top
priority.
     There is a generation gap between older, former communists and
younger people who are looking to the West. "The long lines in Moscow
now are to McDonald's, not Lenin's tomb," Longwell-Grice said.
                                                   -Sue Swyers Moncure