MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS ADVISORY COMMITTEE
THE UNIVERSITY OF AKRON
FEBRUARY 28, 2005
Members in Attendance:
Dr. David P. Ayers, Director, International Programs
Dr. J. Christopher Eustis, Department Chair, Modern Languages
Mr. Jamal Feerasta, Assistant Professor, Hospitality Management
Mr. Richman W. Haire, Acting Director, School of Art
Dr. Frank Kelley, Dean, Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
Dr. Karla T. Mugler, Dean, University College, and Associate Provost for Student Academic Success
Dr. Patricia A. Nelson, Dean, Education
Mr. A. Samuel Oddi, Professor of Law
Dr. Mark B. Tausig, Associate Dean, Graduate School
Ms. Kathleen Tusaie, Assistant Professor, Nursing
Dr. Paul B. Weinstein, Professor, History – Wayne College
Dr. Timothy J. Wilkinson, Associate Professor, Marketing and International Business
Members not in Attendance:
Dr. Subramaniya I. Hariharan, Associate Dean, Engineering
Dr. Sharon L. Johnson, Vice President of Student Affairs
Dr. Chand Midha, Associate Provost, Academic and Financial Affairs; Chair, Statistics
Dr. Elizabeth J. Stroble, Senior Vice President and Provost
Guests in Attendance:
Dr. Wieslaw K. Binienda, Chair, Civil Engineering – Substitute for Dr. Hariharan
Mr. Joshua G. Grover, Graduate Student, Higher Education Administration
Ms. Linda E. Marx, Coordinator, International Programs
Nelson opened the meeting at 1 p.m. and introductions were made. She indicated that everyone should have received the minutes of the first meeting of the Committee that was held on January 31, 2005. She asked there were any changes or suggestions. There were none.
Nelson reiterated the charge given to the Committee by the Provost. Nelson commented that it will be important to develop an infrastructure to help the University move forward, with the Office of International Programs linked more closely with the academic program. Nelson noted that the founding committee could be very helping in guiding the University by preparing a series of recommendations for the Provost. The University of Akron has already participated in a variety of international initiatives and it will be helpful to consider these as we begin to build a framework for the future.
Nelson referred to the report from the Governor’s Commission on Higher Education and the Economy [CHEE] (see www.chee.ohio.gov/). As indicated in the report, institutions of higher education are encouraged to:
· increase enrollment by about 30 percent, and
· invigorate the economy through commercialized research.
FEBRUARY 28, 2005
IPAC – PAGE 2
A strong international agenda for the University would help programs move beyond regional and national borders for student enrollment, as well as foster collaboration and innovation in areas of research. This must include going beyond state borders and developing a comparative lens (even in the area of science), which will be important to the future of Northeast Ohio.
Ayers and Nelson suggested that the Committee break down into sub-committees as follows:
1. Mission: Develop guiding principles and statement that are congruent with the UA academic plan.
Ayers said that the Office of International Programs is in the services segment of the University and not on the academic side. The "Balanced Scorecard" rarely mentions internationalization.
Weinstein asked if the Committee was to write a new portion of the "Strategic Plan." Nelson said that the Committee needs to elaborate or articulate what is already there and identify activities to recommend to the Provost. She said that the actual process would not change. Ayers said that he was aware that individual colleges have internationalization in their documents. Nelson noted that the Provost is currently working on the "Academic Plan." Kelly said that each college is developing the specific plan, using the "Balanced Scorecard" as the basis.
Nelson proposed to the Committee that the need is to address the guiding principles and the international mission as part of the framework for the University.
2. Inventory: Assess existing internationalization efforts and find models similar to UA.
Nelson said that this sub-committee needs to inventory current resources campus wide (research, exchange relationships, study abroad programs, recruitment of international students and scholars, opportunities to deliver programs abroad, and others). Models from other universities need to be examined. Ayers suggested the possibility of the University of Kansas as an example.
3. Program Review: Develop recommendations and guidelines for the Provost on process and infrastructure. Respond to current/recent international programs proposals. Determine pressing needs. UA does not currently have a good review process for these. Recommend sub-committees (assessment, proposal review, etc.).
Nelson said that this sub-committee needed to deal with the immediate review process. She suggested looking into examples. Proposals were pending with Nursing, Law, the MPA Program in Arts & Sciences, and Education. Funding needs would be a part of the review process. Possibilities for matching monies and start-up funds needed to be addressed.
Kelly suggested that a more aggressive program of tracking overseas alumni by the Alumni Association was needed.
FEBRUARY 28, 2005
IPAC – PAGE 3
Nelson said that the charge of the Committee goes into next year (2005/2006). The list of sub-committees was circulated and each member selected a sub-committee. Nelson suggested a series of progressive working luncheons where out-of-the-box thinking would be encouraged.
Feerasta would help to arrange this if the meetings were held any weekday but Monday during the semester.
Ayers reminded everyone of the three documents that were circulating among the Committee members that would be helpful with the sub-committees' work. They are:
A. "A Call to Leadership – The Presidential Role in Internationalizing the University" – a report of the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC) Task Force on International Education (October, 2004).
See www.nasulgc.org/publications/publications.asp
B. "Internationalizing The Campus 2004 – Profiles of SUCCESS at Colleges and Universities" – a report of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, with the assistance of the Educational Information and Resources Branch of the Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau in the United States Department of State and Educational Testing Services (2004).
See www.nafsa.org/content/ProfessionalandEducationalResources/Training/campusintmain.htm
C. "Guidelines for International Education at U. S. Colleges and Universities" – A report of the Association of International Education Administrators (late 1980's).
See http://wings.buffalo.edu/intled/aiea/guidelines.html
Marx distributed comparative statistics from UA's Study, Work, Travel Abroad Program. She also distributed the current "Starter Kit for Education Abroad" that is given to UA students who are interested in the Study, Work, Travel Abroad Program. This document includes the institutions where UA is currently sending students, along with the short-term faculty-led programs.
Ayers presented the actual web site for the Office of International Programs (www.uakron.edu/oip) and went through some of the sections. He noted that the statistics for inbound students are provided each semester in the International Student Newsletter at the site (see www.uakron.edu/oip/news/news.php). He said that the office included undergraduate international student admissions; international undergraduate credential evaluation; academic advising for international undergraduates in University College; immigration compliance; programming for international students; international undergraduate credential evaluation; the Study, Work, Travel Abroad Program; and exchange agreements. The office is not linked to the colleges.
Nelson reviewed the selected sub-committee list and indicated that the sub-committees were fairly evenly divided. She asked that each sub-committee meet briefly, appoint a chair, and schedule a first meeting.
FEBRUARY 28, 2005
IPAC – PAGE 4
The sub-committees and chairs are as follows:
Mission: Eustis (Chair), Hariharan, Kelley, Midha
Inventory: Feerasta, Mugler, Tausig (Chair), Weinstein
Program Review: Haire, Oddi (Chair), Tusaie, Wilkinson
The meeting adjourned at 2:15 p.m.
The next meeting of the full Committee was set for Monday, April 4, at 1 p.m. in the McCollester Conference Room in Buchtel Hall.
LEM – 3/21/05