Iowa State President Martin Jischke defended the university’s communication screening tests for hiring teaching staff on a radio program Wednesday morning.

The program, WOI Radio’s “Talk of Iowa,” covered a variety of topics ranging from Finals Week stress to fiscal matters.

One caller was concerned about students not being able to understand their foreign teaching assistants and professors. Jischke said potential employees go through many tests so the university is sure they are able to communicate effectively.

“When hiring, we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion or national origin. But we put them all through tests to demonstrate their communication skills,” Jischke said.

“We’re not perfect, however, and occasionally we do make a mistake. Our goal is to provide a first-rate education for our students.”

There are also ways, Jischke said, for students to handle the situation themselves, like changing the class or section time. Jischke said in some cases, the teacher’s communication skills may be re-evaluated, and appropriate measures taken.

An ISU alumnus called in and said dealing with, understanding and communicating with people of different nationalities in his undergraduate program was helpful with his job.

Jischke said: “We are in a very small world these days with all the communications technologies, and being able to understand peoples of the world is a very important skill, and a sign of a good education.”

Also discussed were the new alcohol policies going into effect at a number of ISU fraternities, and the importance of education about alcohol abuse, not just within the greek system.

“I was impressed with a comment I heard the other day from a student about how it is increasingly socially acceptable for students to just not drink,” Jischke said. “I believe there are some changing morays among students about this whole issue.”

Dean of Students Kathleen MacKay, Jischke’s guest on the program.