There are multiple reported issues at Underwood International College such as censorship of a student newsletter, transparency issues of administration and faculty retention problems. It can be summarized that there is strong dissatisfaction among the students and the faculty members.
Student dissatisfaction: Many students have reported disparity between the expectation and the reality at the college. UIC advertises itself as international by using very stereotypical images of foreign students in the brochures, basically white and black people. However, the real proportion non-Asian is much less than in the brochures. Another issue is that foreign students report that they cannot participate and cannot have the same benefits as the Korean students since many of the services are provided only in Korean language.
Especially western students should be careful since you will be happily welcomed to the college regardless of your academic capabilities. However, the reality is that you are considered the funders of the system. Although UIC is the most expensive college in Korea, you are largely excluded from many activities and the money you pay will be used for some faculty members’ marketing trips into SE Asia. SE Asian students are those who will receive the financial aid, too. This has created opposition from the western students. However, the school has neglected the worries of the western students which has resulted in many westerners leaving the college even during their freshman year.
Also, the course catalogue which is on the UIC website shows numerous courses, however, most of them are never offered. For example, there is vast number of courses listed on economics major. However, factually only 10-15 courses have been offered since 2010. Students are not dissatisfied with the common curriculum but are very frustrated with their major courses.
Faculty dissatisfaction: In UIC, there is constant roulette going on as some faculty members leave the school every semester and more teachers are hired just to replace those who left. Faculty members have reported glass ceiling for their career prospects and general lack of transparency. Professors have told that you can never know what a rule means and even if you think you know what it means later it is likely to be changed. There has been reported back stabbing among the professors. UIC being a strongly conservative Christian college, persecution of open minded western faculty members, such as homosexuals, by the religious community has been visible at the campus.