Center for International Programs (CIP)

Unit Annual Report

2002-2003

 

Personnel

Thomas McRoberts, Director

Sharon Van Eps, Program Advisor

 

During the 2002-2003 academic year, the staff included Thomas McRoberts as Director and Sharon Van Eps as Program Advisor.  Craig Kissock, Professor and Chair of the Division of Education, while no longer serving as faculty consultant on study abroad activity, continues to serve as the co-Director of our English Language Teaching Assistant (ELTAP) and Global Student Teaching (GST) programs and, is no longer directly associated with CIP; Karla Klinger, the UMM Director of Academic Advising, remains an important consultant on matters related to study abroad transfer credit.

 

CIP staff has multiple assignments; Sharon Van Eps also administers the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) and assists with the Honors Program.  McRoberts serves as the Associate Director of Continuing Education, Regional Programs and Summer Session, and the campus coordinator of the all-University Bush Foundation funded project to internationalize the University.

 

During the 2002-03 academic year, CIP had three student employees: Tope Adebara (Nigeria), assisted with international students and activities and our national scholarship initiative.  Uros Martinovic (Serbia), worked on the Bush Curriculum Integration project and with our new National Student Exchange (NSE) initiative, and Camilla Campera (Brazil), served as clerical support.

 

Purpose/Function

 

The Center for International Programs has the following goals:

 

1.     Increase the number of UMM students studying abroad;

2.     develop more internships abroad (teaching and non-teaching), selected exchanges and short-term study programs;

3.     assure a smooth process for UMM students studying abroad;

4.     assist international students during their stay at UMM, and;

5.     promote internationalization of the UMM Campus.

 

Within this context, CIP has these specific administrative responsibilities:

 

1.     Promote study abroad programs for UMM students (activity centers on UMM and Twin Cities programs Ð but other suitable programs are also encouraged).  This includes program publicity, academic planning and advising, and program development and implementation;

2.     coordinate student exchange programs (currently with Japan and South Korea);

3.     orient, advise and generally help international students during their stay at UMM, particularly during their initial adjustment;

4.     coordinate and develop student teaching abroad and internship abroad programs (Global Student Teaching {GST} and the English Language Teaching Assistant Program {ELTAP});

5.     develop short-term study programs, both credit and non-credit. This includes academic year, May term and summer session programs;

6.     work with the International Study and Travel Center (ISTC) to coordinate first stop study abroad advising;

7.     schedule activities/occupancy in an international house (if it is established);

8.     train and supervise a core of student assistants who have studied abroad to serve as peer advisors;

9.     act as an information clearing house for UMM international programs, and;

10.  develop semester activities such as International Emphasis Day programs, the International Country Fair, and International Student Association events, such as the international student dinner.  These activities demonstrate the value and rewards of an international experience.

 

Organization and Funding

CIPÕs organizational structure remains complex at least for this year (next year - in 2003-04 - the organizational structure may be changed and stream-lined).  The Center is ÒhousedÓ in and budgeted primarily through Continuing Education, Regional Programs and Summer Session (CERP), but is administratively under the UMM Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean.  The CIP Director reports most directly to the UMM Academic Dean but is also responsible to the CERP Director.  CIP works closely with the International Study and Travel Center (ISTC) but ISTC is a separate entity with its own student director, appointed and financially supported by the Morris Campus Student Association (MCSA).  ISTC serves as the first-stop information source for students wanting to study abroad.  It also provides such services as Eurail passes and International Student Identification Cards.  CIP offers first contact advising as well, but emphasizes assistance with the study abroad program application process and academic advising.

 

Funding is also complicated with support coming from the College of Continuing Education, Twin Cities, from UMM (in the form of allocations) and with grant funds provided by the Bush Foundation.

 

CIP's policies and direction are influenced by the deliberations of the Campus AssemblyÕs International Programs Committee (IPC), which is adjunct to the Curriculum Committee (one of the four Assembly standing committees).  The Director of CIP is an ex-officio member of the IPC.

 

 

 

 

 

Narrative/Evaluation

 

This report reviews the important activity of the past year, starting with accomplishments and then disappointments.  It covers the period July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003 with accomplishments grouped under seven (7) categories as follows:

 

1.     Study Abroad Program Development and Promotion:

á      The successful offering in Summer 2002 of our study abroad program, ÒJuly in Paris,Ó which included students from the University of Minnesota, Duluth and Twin Cities.

á      Working in cooperation with the coordinators and faculty of the First Year Seminar (FYS), CIP offered two international/multicultural/diversity experiences for the Fall 2002 First Year Seminar students (and others on a space available basis).  Destinations were Greece and Hawaii.  Another program, to London, was cancelled due to insufficient enrollment.

á      Planned May Session 2003 programs: Brunnenberg and Beyond (Italy/Romania), Cuba: Whence and Whither, Immigration in Sweden, Choral Tour of the United Kingdom, Irish Myth and History, and Shakespeare's England.

á      Planned study abroad programs for Summer 2003, July in Paris and Arctic Ecology and Geology (in Sweden).

á      Provided support funds for faculty members to develop their May and Summer Session 2003 study abroad programs (for Brunnenburg and Beyond, Cuba, and Sweden-Arctic Ecology and Geology).

 

á      Conducted information sessions for faculty to discuss developing May or Summer Term 2003 (and beyond) study abroad programs.

 

á      Actively promoted study abroad, particularly study abroad programs during May session and summer term, ELTAP, and GST, in the student newspaper and through information sessions at UMM and on other campuses.

 

á      Conducted information sessions on study abroad in a place specifically targeted to students of color (where students of color frequent).

 

á      Conducted evaluations of all study abroad programs.  The student's level of satisfaction with the quality of programs is high, though concern was expressed over the high cost of the programs.

 

á      Successfully recruited six students for our exchange program to Kansai Gaidai University in Japan.

 

2.   Bush Foundation Funded Grant to Internationalize the University

 

á      Assisted in the implementation of the all-University Bush Foundation funded Curriculum Integration project.  The overall goal is to increase student participation in study abroad through better integration of study abroad into the curriculum and also to increase study abroad scholarship opportunities. The project had three specific dimensions for Morris.

 

      A. Provide new student scholarships for our UMM study abroad programs

Ð ten, $500 scholarships funded for each of the three years.  Added to that, in 2002-03, we developed a special multi-cultural scholarship to enhance opportunities for a more diverse population to study abroad.

B. Develop study abroad capstone (emersion) experiences for selected UMM courses.

C. Determine the ways in which study abroad could be integrated into the UMM Curriculum and to prepare advising materials about study abroad for use by faculty and students.

 

á      Participated with UMM faculty and staff in all-University Bush Curriculum Integration retreats in September and October 2002 and in April 2003. Each retreat focused on a different group of faculty and staff to promote integration of study abroad into the curriculum.

 

á      Participated in the all-University presentation on the Bush Curriculum

Integration project at the NAFSA (National Association of Foreign Study Advisers) Conference in Salt Lake City in May 2003.

á      Continued to work with three working groups in conjunction with the Bush Grant to internationalize the University.  One group focused on study abroad for students of color and re-entry issues, a second on promotion of study abroad and the third dealing with scholarships and financial aid for study abroad.  Added to that, in 2002-03, were two new working groups, one on "special issues" (such as study abroad for students with disabilities, GLBT student issues and a new working group, on integration of study abroad into the curriculum) the latter focussing on advising materials for that purpose.

á      Continued to work with disciplines on how study abroad could be integrated into UMM majors.  In addition to those consulted last year (Anthropology, Sociology, Economics/Management, Philosophy, Art/Art History, Geology, and Chemistry), we initiated discussions with other disciplines (History, Psychology, Music).

á      Within the context of the working group on scholarships and financial aid, agreed to develop a new financial aid brochure, modeled after one currently used in the Twin Cities.

á      Upon the recommendation of the working group on students of color and also re-entry issues - conducted a re-entry session for students returning from study abroad.

 

3.   International Students

 

á      Worked over the summer of 2002 to retain a larger yield of international students who sought admission to UMM.  CIP does not recruit international students, but with a student assistant, attempted to track admitted international students to assure that they actually came to UMM.  The net result was 7 new international students for 2002-2003, in line with the number of entering new international students from the last two years.  Enrollment of international students stood at 28 in 2002-03 compared with 23 in 2001-02.

á      Conducted the International Country Fair in the Fall Semester 2002, which featured 11 countries from around the world, and promotional materials about study abroad.  It also featured food from countries around the world and traditional clothing worn by our international students.

á      In Spring 2003, CIP once again joined with Sodexho (Food Service managers) and the International Student Association (ISA) to host the International Student Association dinner which again was held in the food service building.  Food was prepared by the staff of Sodexho based upon a menu provided by our international students.

á      In the aftermath of the national 911 incident in New York, the War in Iraq and the concern over terrorism, the United States government introduced a new system of tracking international students called "SEVIS".  This is administered under the new cabinet level Department of Homeland Security.  The SEVIS system - through computer technology - permits almost immediate tracking of international students in terms of their academic standing.  CIP conducted a briefing session on the SEVIS requirements for all international students during the spring semester.  The SEVIS requires all international students to be issued new electronically generated I-20 documents and calls for stricter adherence to immigration rules.

á      Worked with the ISA to get them into a position where they could again apply for and receive student activities fee funding for their organization.  The hope is that the organization will apply for funding in 2003-04.

á      Saw an increase in the number of international students enrolled at UMM.  Listed below is our distribution of students by country in 1999-2000, 2000-2001, 2001-2002 and 2002-03.

 

 

COMPARATIVE STATISTICS

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT POPULATION

CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

 

 

1999-2000

2000-2001

2001-2002

2002-2003

Argentina

 

 

 

1

Brazil

 

 

1

1

Cameroon

1

1

0

2

Canada

 

 

2

1

China

 

 

1

0

Ecuador

 

 

1

1

Ghana

1

3

6

7

Japan

1

1

0

2

Kenya

1

1

2

2

Korea

3

1

4

5

Latvia

1

 

 

0

Mexico

1

1

0

0

Myanmar

 

1

1

1

Nigeria

 

2

3

3

Serbia

1

1

2

2

Zambia

 

 

 

0

Total

10

13

23

28

 

4.   International Programs Committee

The International Programs Committee is an adjunct committee of the Curriculum Committee, one of four standing committees of UMM Campus Assembly.  The IPC helps shape study abroad policy and programs at UMM.

á      Worked with the International Programs Committee, the Minority Student Program and the University's legal Counsel to develop the criteria and screening process for a new UMM multi-cultural study abroad student scholarship.

á      Continued to work with the International Programs sub-Committee on Study Abroad to review applications and recommend student recipients for the UMM study abroad scholarships.  Awarded 15 scholarships in 2002-03.

á      Assisted the International Programs Committee in implementing the faculty small grants program to promote study abroad in the curriculum.  There were two granting rounds in 2002-03, one in the fall and one in the spring.

á      Worked with the International Programs Committee to develop a rationale, guidelines, materials and processes for the capstone (emersion) study abroad experiences offered with funds provided from the Bush Foundation funded Curriculum Integration project.  Following a campus-wide call for proposals, the IPC recommended four (4) proposals for funding to develop study abroad programs based upon on-campus courses in history, theatre, geology and Spanish.

5.   Student Scholarships

á      Worked with the International Programs Committee to review all applications for the UMM Study Abroad Scholarships and worked to develop the new policies and procedures and application forms for the new UMM multi-cultural scholarship.

á      Worked with two candidates for the Fulbright Scholarship, one of whom received the award.

á      Worked with three candidates for the national Truman Scholarship.  One of the three made it to the final interview stage but was not selected for a scholarship.

á      Worked with six UMM students on the National Security Education Program (NSEP) scholarship.  Awards are approximately $10,000 a semester.  UMM had one recipient (Sarah Lam to China).

á      Worked with three UMM students who applied for the all-University Katherine Sullivan Scholarship for a fifth year to study abroad.  Two made it to the final stage, but only one received the scholarship, Paige Tigh for the study of art in Ghana.

á      Met with the working group on financial aid/scholarships to develop a statement to the UMM Vice Chancellors group on including study abroad scholarships into UMM's fund raising priorities.  Proposal awaits additional information from the Financial Aids office.  We will advance this agenda in 2003-04.

 

 

6.   Study abroad statistics, CIP program administration, and exchange programs

á      Overall participation in UMM study abroad programs in 2002-03 increased substantially over the previous two years.  The biggest gains were in the Global Student Teaching (GST) program and May Session.  There was a substantial increase in the number of UMM students pursuing study abroad offered by other programs such as ISA, IES, and Butler.  This year marked a substantial increase in the overall number of students studying abroad.

á      With the Office of Admissions, completed a new CIP brochure, which would be used internally (on campus) and externally (to prospective students) by the Admissions and CIP offices.

á      Worked with the Global Campus to establish new procedures to handle emergencies while students are on University sponsored programs.

á      Worked with the Scholastic Committee and the Director of Advising to further clarify how study abroad credits from other institutions and programs, some affiliated with the University of Minnesota and some not, will count toward UMM degree requirements.  It should be noted that there remains some unresolved issues, particularly since the Twin Cities campus and Duluth have a more liberal policy with regard to what is included in resident credit.

á      For 2002-03, two UMM students participated in our exchange with Kansai Gaidai University in Japan.  None, unfortunately for Yonsei University in Korea.  In turn, we had four students from Yonsei University at UMM for this year and one student from Kansai Gaidai University for 2002-03.  For the coming year 2003-04, six (6) UMM students will participate in our exchange with Kansai Gaidai University in Japan and one student from their University will attend UMM for the entire year.  We expect additional students from Yonsei University in Korea for Spring and Fall 2004.

7.  New Initiatives - "The Big Idea", National Scholarships and National Student Exchange

The Center for International Programs Director participated in the  "Big Idea" task force.

á      "The Big Idea" - This "Big Idea" conceived of by Chancellor Sam Schuman, calls for sending an entire class of UMM students abroad to multiple locations within a given country.  The "Big Idea" advanced in broad terms by Schuman was given to a task force chaired by UMM Professor of German and Russian, Jenifer Cushman, to develop into a specific proposal to be reviewed by the Campus Assembly at the end of spring semester.  The "Big Idea" calls for students in their First Year Seminar to identify countries that they wish to study in at the end of their sophomore year during May Term.  The concept of the "Big Idea" was approved by the Campus Assembly in the spring of 2003.  This then permitted the Chancellor and the Fund Development Office to seek funding from external agencies to support this project.

á      The Center for International Programs is working with Professor Paula O'Loughlin, to develop UMM's national scholarship initiative.  The purpose of this initiative is to bring greater visibility to the national scholarship opportunities and to encourage more UMM students to apply for these scholarships.  The national scholarships carry considerable national prestige and attractive financial awards.  The scholarships typically included are: Truman, Rhodes, Fulbright, Udall, Goldwater, Melon, Javitz, and others.  Also, as a part of this initiative, a national scholarship advisory committee was formed this year.  The scholarship advisory group, made up of faculty from the four divisions and a representative from the Minority Student Program, is intended to identify promising scholarship applicants and assist in mentoring them through the application process.

á      In addition, under the auspices of the Dean, UMM entered into an agreement to join the National Student Exchange (NSE) which facilitates the exchange of students from one college to another primarily in the U.S., but also some Canadian institutions, for periods of a semester or up to a year.  The coordinator of the NSE is Neil Leroux, Associate Professor of Speech Communication, with the Center for International Programs serving as the coordinating office. 

á      Leroux and CIP developed a strategy for promoting NSE, prepared the application materials, held information sessions and successfully placed our first NSE student.

In addition to a wide-range of accomplishments, there were some disappointments:

1.     The cancellation of one of our First Year Seminar International/Diversity experiences.

2.     The cancellation of our program to Cuba, though fully enrolled, because of a death in the family of the faculty director.

3.     Cancellation of other May Session Programs (Brunnenberg and Beyond and Immigration to Sweden) due to insufficient enrollment.

4.     Concern about the ever-increasing demand on our limited study abroad staff resources.

5.     Disappointed in our success with some of our study abroad related scholarships, particularly with NSEP where we had one recipient out of six applicants, and also a disappointment in that both of the applicants for the Fulbright were not successful.

6.     Continued concern over the level of activity and services provided by the ISTC office.

Discussion

2002-03 has been an eventful year for international programs at UMM.  It continued to include two high profile initiatives; first, Chancellor SchumanÕs "Big Idea" with the goal of having an entire class go on a study abroad experience during the May term of their sophomore year, and second, UMMÕs participation in the all-University Bush Foundation funded curriculum integration grant to internationalize the University.  These, combined with actively encouraging students to study abroad, developing new study abroad programs, helping students obtain scholarships, improving our study abroad materials, and developing new initiatives in national scholarships and the National Student Exchange made for an exceptionally busy and demanding year.

A.  The All-University Bush Curriculum Integration Project Grant - Involved a host of issues; identify study abroad programs that could be integrated into the major; developing study abroad scholarship opportunities, develop new study abroad programs, strengthen study abroad advising and better promote study abroad on campus.  Here are more details:

1.     Integrate study abroad into the curriculum - The purpose of this project is to move study abroad from "the edge" of extra-curricular activity to an integrated part of the student's major.  Rapid progress is being made in this area, particularly on the Twin Cities campus, and we hope to take advantage of their progress in working with our own disciplines to integrate study abroad into the majors, as well as a part of general education requirements.

In order to advance the study abroad initiative at UMM, the Center for International Programs established a study abroad discipline advisers group with representation requested from each discipline (not all responded).  These discipline study abroad advisers will be oriented to their work, including making them aware of study abroad programs within the disciplines, discuss approaches to study abroad advising, and share common concerns with other faculty across the campus.  It is hoped that this study abroad advising network will increase the visibility of study abroad across the campus and extend our study abroad advising capacity beyond the CIP office.

2.   Increase scholarships/financial aid available to students for study abroad.  While there has been a substantial increase in financial aid for study abroad, and UMM has been very generous in allowing each student to use scholarships or most financial aid to study abroad through almost any institution, the financial aid has not kept pace with the demand of students wishing to study abroad.  In addition to a web site directory of scholarship sources for study abroad, we have tried to increase our study abroad scholarship money and we have developed a new multi-cultural scholarship to attract more diverse populations to study abroad.  Further, one of the working groups on scholarships and study abroad recommended to the UMM Chancellor and Vice Chancellor's Group to include study abroad scholarships among the institution's developmental/fund raising priorities.

3.  Increase the number of students studying abroad through development of new UMM programs, encouraging UMM students to study abroad in any study abroad program offered through UMM or elsewhere, and by targeting students of color to go abroad.

4.  Promote study abroad in many different venues. Funds were used to underwrite the cost of a new UMM study abroad brochure for off-campus and on-campus use.  In addition, there were numerous information sessions about study abroad conducted by the Center for International Programs.  Newspaper ads promoting study abroad programs appeared in the campus newspaper. 

There will be renewed efforts in the coming year to further promote study abroad through information meetings, web sites and through the campus newspaper.

5.   Develop and offer capstone (emersion) grants for faculty to develop study abroad experiences based upon on-campus courses.  The guidelines, principles, policies and procedures governing this grant program were developed by International Programs Committee (IPC), and the new program was implemented in the spring of 2003.  Four grants of between $2,000 - $2,500 were awarded.  One to a faculty member in history to compare native populations in New Zealand and the United States and was based upon the course in Native American History at UMM.  A second grant was given to a faculty member to develop undergraduate research opportunities in the Arctic region of Sweden, reflecting UMM's commitment to undergraduate research.  A third grant was to develop a program in Spain based upon on-campus courses in Spanish literature and, a fourth was given to a faculty member in theater to develop a theater program at the international Fringe Festival in Edinburgh Scotland.

6.   UMM faculty and staff participated in all-University Bush funded retreats and meetings where the progress of the grant was discussed as well as specific strategies for strengthening study abroad initiatives were discussed and implemented.

7.   UMM faculty and staff gained national visibility for the University of Minnesota by giving a presentation at the National Study Abroad Foreign Study Advisers Conference (NAFSA) in Salt Lake City, Utah on the Curriculum Integration project and with plans to attend the national conference on Curriculum Integration set for April 2004 in Minneapolis.

Other Activity

There has been considerable activity this past year to encourage students to study abroad through advising, through new study abroad programs in January break and May and Summer sessions and through enhanced scholarship opportunities.

There was an enormous increase in study abroad advising as evidenced by the individual advising contacts in 2002-03. The number of students making contact with the Center for International Programs through individual advising sessions more than doubled and the repeat contacts multiplied almost 8 times over 2001-02.  These contacts reflect a greater awareness of study abroad on the UMM campus with contacts coming from first year students who are exploring possibilities for study abroad, to those at advanced levels who have specific programs in mind.

This increased interest in study abroad is also reflected in the number of students actually participating in study abroad programs.  The number for 2002-03 stands at 164 compared to 127 in 2001-02.  Using IIE "Open Doors" measures, 47.6% of UMM students studied abroad (as a percentage of all degrees awarded in 2002-03).

With the increased scholarship activity, considerable time was spent in simply reviewing and monitoring the scholarships for study abroad programs.

In short, it has been a busy year for the Center for International Programs with individual study abroad advising, development and promotion of new study abroad programs and materials, with developing plans for the new emersion (capstone) experiences, and extending our advising capacity through the formation of a new network of study abroad advisers drawn from each discipline.

Statistical Information

UMM student participation in study abroad credit programs increased substantially in 2002-03.  At the same time, the number of all students participating in UMM study abroad programs also substantially increased.  In 2002-03, 164 UMM students participated in study abroad programs compared to 127 in 2001-02, and 135 in 2000-01.  Overall, 334 students participated in UMM study abroad programs, compared to 224 in 2001-02 and 206 in 2000-01.  Again, there was substantial participation of non-UMM students in our Global Student Teaching program, followed by a sprinkling of non-UMM students in our May and Summer programs.  (For complete data on study abroad activity, please contact the CIP office (320) 589-6464, e-mail vanepssk@morris.umn.edu.)

Here is a breakdown of UMM student participation in study abroad programs:

38        CIP (UMM, Global Campus, and programs offered by other colleges and universities) (compared to 22 in 2001-02)

25        GST (Global Student Teaching) (compared to 14 in 2001-02)

14        ELTAP (English Language Teaching Assistant Program) (compared to 17 in 2001-02)

70        May Session 2002 Programs (Ireland, Choral Tour of the British Isles, and Shakespeare's England) (compared to 40 in 2001-02)

 4         Summer 2002 (up to June 30th) (Paris only) (compared to 34 in 2001-02)

As in previous years, most students participating in study abroad programs were seniors at the time of their study abroad experience, most were female, and most were Caucasian.  The largest number of students participated in the Global Student Teaching program, though most UMM students participated in our May session programs.  The number of students of color participating in our study abroad programs in 2002-03 stood at 12, compared to 6 in 2001-02 and 13 in 2000-01.  As for the class distribution of students after seniors, most were juniors, then sophomores and, freshman last.  Indeed, the overwhelming majority of our students studying abroad did so during their senior year.  Approximately 17 were unspecified.

Summary of Data

There are three measures typically used to determine the level of study abroad activity.   UMM has measured study abroad by the number of students studying abroad as a percentage of the overall enrollment.  Using that figure, UMM had approximately 8.6% of our students studying abroad in 2002-03.  Another measure is the percentage of seniors who have studied abroad sometime in the course of their undergraduate career.  That number is typically between 20-28%.  Finally, the most commonly accepted measure in the study abroad community is that established by the International Institute of Education (IIE) in their publication Open Doors.  There, study abroad activity is based upon the number of students going abroad as a percentage of the total number of degrees awarded in a given year.  By that measure, UMM looks very good.  In 2002-03, the number of students studying abroad was 47.6% of the degrees awarded in 2002-03.  This compares to 40% of UMM students studying abroad as a percentage of all degrees awarded in 2001 and 42.6% in 2002.

In sum, we are pleased with the level of participation in study abroad - though it will be difficult to sustain it.

Plans for 2003-2004

The coming year, 2003-04, will be exceptionally busy with a third year of the all-University Bush Curriculum Integration Project, with developing and promoting new UMM study abroad programs, with encouraging more students to study abroad, and with possible reorganizing in the Center for International Programs.  Here is a list of some of the projects that will be undertaken during the coming year.

1.   Bush Curriculum Integration Project

á      Fully implement the new discipline study abroad advisers group.  This includes orienting the faculty/staff involved in this study abroad advisers group.

á      Develop and make available study abroad advising sheets emphasizing study in the majors and in general education.

á      Finalize the study abroad financial aid brochure.

á      Finalize the proposal to the Vice Chancellors group on placing study abroad scholarships in the institutional priorities for fund development/raising.

á      Continue to develop ideas for enhancing study abroad through the various working groups (students of color, promotion of study abroad, special needs, scholarships/financial aid and integrating study abroad into the curriculum).

á      Participate in all-University Curriculum Integration activity, particularly in preparation for the national conference scheduled in April, 2004.

á      Work with the International Programs Committee to review and distribute study abroad scholarships, UMM and the new multi-cultural study abroad scholarships.

á      Work with the International Programs Committee in reviewing applications for the Bush funded emersion grants.

2.         Study Abroad Program Development

á      Develop at least one, possibly two short-term internationalizing/diversity experiences for the Winter Break, 2004.

á      Develop new May and Summer term programs for 2004 including the following countries: Cuba(?), South America, Thailand, New Zealand, Mexico and possibly programs in Spain, Sweden and Paris.

3.   Study Abroad Programs - Evaluation and Promotion

á      Conduct evaluations on May and Summer Session 2003 study abroad programs, which will be shared with program faculty and considered in planning 2004 May term programs.

á      Develop publicity materials for all short-term study programs.

á      Conduct information sessions for all students about study abroad options and target some information sessions to appeal to multi-cultural populations.

á      Participate in the usual study abroad promotional activity during fall orientation (this includes an orientation for international students, and participate in the Activities Fair and a session for parents) and throughout the academic year.

á      For 2003-04, conduct the International Country Fair in the fall semester, which will include promotion of study abroad programs, special international student displays, and other activities including international music and food.

4.   Advising and Scholarships

á      Continue to work with UMM students through individual advising, assisting them with plans to study abroad either through the University of Minnesota or at other colleges.

á      Assist the new study abroad adviser group to assume more of the responsibility of advising students about study abroad options. 

á      Continue to work with UMM students, advising them about study abroad scholarship opportunities either offered through UMM, at the all-University level or national level (most particularly the Katherine Sullivan, National Security Education and Fulbright Program scholarships).

á      Initiate discussions about the role and work of the International Study and Travel Center (ISTC). (Carried over from this year-little progress in this area.)

5.   International Students

á      Cooperate with the International Student Association (ISA) and Sodexho to again sponsor the International Student Association dinner in spring semester.

á      Work with the International Student Association to provide support and cultural activities for UMMÕs small international student community.  (We anticipate having 29 international students in 2003-04, up one from 2001-02.)

á      Keep international students informed of the immigration requirements now being mandated under SEVIS.  We will continue to assist international students with matters related to their visa status and academic progress concerns as well as representing their concerns to the campus community.

á      Assist the Admissions Office in tracking international students who have applied for admission to UMM to assure that we will ÒnetÓ as many of those students as possible.

6.  International Programs Committee

á      Work with the International Programs Committee in carrying out its "agenda," which includes, soliciting, reviewing, and approving grants for faculty to internationalize the curriculum; soliciting, reviewing and approving grants for the emersion or capstone grants for faculty to develop study abroad programs based upon on-campus courses; promote various international activities on campus including speakers, films, and other events; soliciting, reviewing and recommending study abroad scholarships for students.

7.  CIP Office

á      Over the summer 2003, replenish materials in the CIP departmental office and complete updating of the database of student participation in study abroad.

á      Over the summer of 2003, and beyond, consult with the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Dean on organizational structure of CIP, which might be folded into a new departmental office of academic enrichment or some other such title.

á      Continue to develop the new programs started in 2002-03; that is, the national scholarship initiative and the National Student Exchange (NSE).  This will involve additional public meetings, mentoring individual students on scholarship or exchange applications, advising students on scholarship choices and working with the recently formed national scholarship advisory group to better promote national scholarships and to assist in the application process.

Similarly, work with the coordinator to promote the National Student Exchange.

Conclusion

2002-2003 has been a productive year with substantial growth in our study abroad enrollment.  In this second year of the all-University Curriculum Integration project, we made substantial headway with new scholarships for study abroad, in developing our emersion experiences for faculty to develop study abroad programs based upon on-campus courses and we introduced a new multi-cultural scholarship.  At the same time, we have made special efforts to improve participation of students of color in study abroad, to strengthen study abroad promotion and to provide more information about financial aid and scholarship opportunities.  Further, we have spent considerable time developing our May and Summer Session programs and new winter break offerings.  We also developed the new national scholarship initiative and the National Student Exchange. These initiatives were in addition to our ongoing work with international students, complicated this year by the introduction of the new SEVIS student tracking system.  

In the new year (2003-04), we will continue with all the activity cited above, but make a special effort to better integrate study abroad into the curriculum with a stronger study abroad advising network and better study abroad curriculum materials.  We will also make an effort to make study abroad scholarships one of UMM's development/fund raising priorities and finally, we will address a new administrative framework for CIP.

 

 

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