The University of Georgia Strategic Plan for the First Decade of the 21st Century
International Education
The University is linked inextricably to the global cultural, societal, political and economic evolutions. As a result, the University has the requisite responsibility to recognize the increasing global interdependence of these evolutions. To this end, international education at the University refers to programs and activities which enable students, faculty and staff to participate effectively in a global society.
Strategic Direction I
The University will increase the number and diversity of students participating in education abroad programs and activities through the active advancement and support of international education.
I.a Expand the nature and scope of study abroad programs to enrich and maximize the array of choices of students for meaningful international education experiences including the establishment of international residential centers and multi-disciplinary programs in all major geographical regions of the world so that by 2010 there will be:
I.a.1 At least 230 study abroad and exchange programs available for students and six thousand [6000] engaged in these programs.
I.a.2 Twenty-five [25] percent of the undergraduates graduating will have engaged in an international education program.
I.a.3 Multi-disciplinary programs abroad which are articulated with the appropriate academic majors with respect to curriculum and progression toward degree.
I.a.4 Four international residential centers located in strategic geographical areas of the world which comport with the thematic focus of the Centers of African Studies, Asia Studies, European Studies and Latin American Studies.
Budget Requirements:
FY01 Business Manager/Study Abroad Programs: $40,000 [$1999]
FY02-03 Two [2] study abroad/exchange program advisors: $35,000 ea.: $70,000 [$1999]; One [1] administrative support positions: $19,000 [$1999]
FY05-06 Two [2] study abroad/exchange program advisors: $35,000 ea.: $70,000 [$1999], One [1] administrative support position: $19,000
FY08-09 Two [2] study abroad/exchange program advisors: $35,000 ea: $70,000 [$1999]
I.b Encourage all study abroad programs affiliated with the University reflect the highest quality of academic excellence and are offered at a cost which is within the available fiscal resources of all students.
I.b.1 All study abroad programs will be subject to a program review consistent with the criteria of all other academic programs in the university, subject to the similar evaluation procedures and each program will be evaluated every five years. In addition to the current evaluations of courses and programs, available qualitative research methodologies and tools will be implemented to refine the review processes regarding the impact of student participation.
I.b.2 The cost of participation in each study abroad program will approximate reasonably the cost of attendance at the Athens campus excluding the variable costs of airfare and currency exchange rate of each international location. The cost may be discounted to the extent of available scholarships [See I.e]
I.b.3 Develop and implement graduate student reciprocal exchange programs including teaching and research opportunities abroad.
I.b.4 Develop and implement active partnerships with business, industry, governmental agencies and non-governmental organizations which include programs for cooperative education and internship experiences for undergraduate and graduate students.
I.c Integrate international education opportunities fully into the undergraduate, graduate and professional studies programs such that international programs contribute to the academic progression of students= programs.
I.c.1 By 2010, the respective faculties of each college and school will have revised and recommended the appropriate international education experiences and the manner in which these are articulated and reflected in each major.
I.c.2 By 2010, each department head and each Dean will have included in their respective position descriptions and job performance criteria an international education component.
I.d Ensure international education opportunities are an integral aspect of the agenda of all academic advisors and that the in-service professional development programs for academic advisors provide for international education.
I.d.1 Modify the in-service professional development programs for all academic advisors in all colleges and schools to increase knowledge and understanding of the wide array of international education programs and how these comport with the academic majors and minors within their area of purview.
I.d.2 Increase the membership on the Academic Advisors Committee to include a representative from the Office of International Education.
I.e Increase the scholarship support for students so that financial considerations are not regarded as a insurmountable impediment to participation in study abroad programs.
I.e.1 Develop and implement an extramural fund raising program with the goal of securing a $10-15M endowment [1999 dollars] to provide funds for study abroad scholarships. The Katherine John Murphy Foundation has committed $250,000 toward this goal [$50,000 per year for five years beginning in 1999].
I.f Review all University academic policies and procedures to ensure these facilitate participation in international education opportunities.
I.f.1 Request the Faculty Affairs Committee to review the University=s Guidelines for Promotion and Tenure and to modify these to provide clear recognition of faculty involvement in and advancement of international education.
I.f.2 Request the Curriculum Committee to review the criteria and standards for all new course proposals as well as modifications of all majors to ensure the inclusion of international education in these criteria and standards.
I.h. Enhance and expand the role of the international and area study centers and programs focused on Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America as cross-disciplinary and university-wide units in order to facilitate their respective internationally related instructional, research and service programs.
I.h.1 Establish the major centers for area studies as joint administrative and funded academic programs of the Office of the Provost and each academic Dean at a designated funding percentage reflective of the level of stakeholder involvement.
Budget Requirements [$1999]: To establish and maintain administrative support and program enhancement:
FY01: $200,000
FY04: $200,000
FY06: $200,000
FY08: $200,000
I.h.2 Request each center for area studies to establish a priority listing of teaching, research and service program enhancements and new initiatives including projected funding requirements based on two year increments through 2010.
I.h.3 Establish International Health as a priority segment of the Bio-Medical initiative of the University thereby creating a topical or thematic studies program to supplement and augment other existing programs operating in the various study abroad, area study centers and related programs.
I.i Provide incentives, including modification of standards for faculty merit salary increases and specified criteria for promotion and tenure, for faculty to develop formal and informal international linkages which will advance their individual role in, as well their respective department=s contribution to, international education.
I.i.1 By 2010, establish and fund annually a university-wide program which will recognize three to five individual faculty who have contributed substantially to the advancement of international education and that this recognition be in the form of a permanent increase to their respective salary bases in the amount of $5,000 [$1999].
I.i.2 By 2010, increase the amount of funds in the International Academic Program Development fund to $200,000 [$1999] to continue to assist faculty to receive seed funding for program enhancements or new initiatives which will result in [a] advancement of international education in their departments and/or [b] provide a platform for seeking extramural funding for the continuance and expansion of their project.
I.i.3 By 2010, increase the amount funds provided to each faculty member selected for the International Fellows Program to $6,000 [$1999] to either expand the number of faculty participants or enhance the nature and scope of the international project of each Fellow.
I.j Recruit a diverse faculty and staff with a demonstrated commitment to international education and ensure that a priority is given to those departments which have the greatest need for securing such faculty to meet their international instructional, research and service objectives.
I.j.1 Request that each Dean during each annual budget cycle to provide a priority list of departments which have a demonstrated need for faculty to meet their international academic goals coupled with a funding strategy to ensure securing and retaining these faculty.
I.j.2 Implement policy and procedures for all new faculty hires which will result in the opportunity to review and evaluate international experience as an integral aspect in the selection process.
Budget Requirements:
FY01 One [1] International Scholars Immigration Specialist: $40,000 [$1999], One [1] Administrative support position: $19,000 [$1999]
I.k Develop and implement additional opportunities for international scholars on campus--faculty and students from other nations--to become an active participant in the academic programs of the University including making effective use of their respective knowledge and skills in instructional, research, service and co-curricular programs.
I.k.1 Utilize regularly those international scholars on campus to teach one course which correlates with the academic program of the department and advances the international aspects of the academic offerings.
I.k.2 Encourage and promote the Fulbright Scholars program including the active recruitment of these scholars from international universities which are recognized for their academic excellence reflected, in part, by faculty knowledge and understanding of the institutional capacities and international reputation.
I.k.3 Use the international scholars to assist in teaching conversational language courses for students, faculty, and staff.
1.k.4 Ensure that each international student who is granted an out-of-state waiver is actively engaged in supporting the international education programs of the University.
I.l By 2010, the respective faculties in each college and school will have reviewed and recommended the appropriate level of foreign language requirement for the degree programs within their purview.
I.l.1 Within the foreign language offerings will be a tier which focuses on providing students with a conversational capacity. A student=s achievement of this competency will be certified and reflected on the official transcript. This level of competency will not replace language requirements deemed necessary for a major in any academic discipline. By 2010, at least 35-50% of undergraduates will be certified as achieving conversational language competency.
I.l.2 Implement the initial tier, conversational language learning, across the institution and beyond the usual academic settings including residence halls, fraternities and sororities; and develop and implement short term [4-6 week] cultural immersion programs on and off campus either focused solely on language development or coupled with service learning experiences.
I.l.3 Utilize the available information technologies to facilitate all levels of language learning including English as a Second Language.
Strategic Direction II
The University will secure and designate a new facility to reflect its commitment to international education and to serve as the physical anchor for international education programs and activities on campus.
II.a The University will secure a facility sufficient to house and support major administrative units associated with international education as well as provide space for related cross-disciplinary and university-wide international and area study programs and centers.
II.a.1 The minimal assignable square footage of this facility will be 100,000 to 120,000 in order to accommodate the major administrative units and collateral university-wide area study programs and centers. Also included in this facility will be a simultaneous translation auditorium to facilitate international conferences and related academic programs and a general reception and support areas for international guest functions and programs.
Based on 1999 dollars, this facility will cost between $12-14M. The source of funding will be through a combination of state resources and extramural funding.
II.a.2 The location of this facility must be served by University Transportation Services and be accessible from any future multi-modal facility developed by the community in order to assist faculty, students and international guests of the University.
II.a.3 Augment the facilities serving as temporary housing accommodations and food services for international scholars who are guests of the University through the development and implementation of a special rack rate at the Georgia Center and the availability of such scholars to have the capacity to purchase a special food services plan.
March 20, 2000
