Independent study-abroad providers and colleges continue to assert that their practices are ethical and appropriate in an article that appeared in today’s Philadelphia Inquirer.

Five institutions and study-abroad providers received subpoenas from the New York State attorney general’s office in August, requesting information about their pricing policies and financial arrangements with colleges to provide overseas educational opportunities.

Some study-abroad organizations give discounts to colleges that enroll a large number of students. Others also subsidize trips overseas for college officials to visit program sites. Study-abroad officials say neither practice influences the program recommendations they make to students.

According to the Inquirer, the attorney general’s office subpoenaed five additional study-abroad providers in late September. Four of those companies — the School for International Training, Cultural Experiences Abroad, International Studies Abroad, and the Council on International Educational Exchange — verified to The Chronicle that they had received the subpoenas. The remaining provider, AustraLearn, did not respond to The Chronicle’s request for comment.

“The most important thing to remember is that this is a data-collection process that goes on for hundreds of different issues,” said Steve Trooboff, president of the Council on International Educational Exchange. “It has nothing to do with any wrongdoing on our part, and, personally, I’m not concerned.” —Elizabeth F. Farrell