MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT PROGRAMS STANDING COMMITTEE February 27, 2008 2008 Martindale 3rd floor boardroom Michael Johansson, Presiding Officer Director of Office of International Programs Committee members present: Akey, Jim Cole, Dr. Don Guo, Dr. Gang Hanson, Carey Havens, Midge (for Laura Diven-Brown) Robinson, Jean (guest) Torbert, Christina Warty, Chirag Committee members not present: Fant, Dr. Charlotte Ford, Dr. Allison Graupner, Max Mendieta, Antonio Metcalf, Dr. Michael O’Haver, Dr. John Oliphant, Susan Payne, Dr. Esim Erdim Trefzer, Dr. Annette Uddin, Dr. Waheed Woodyard, Patrick
Introductions The recent tragedy at NIU was discussed. Mr. Johansson explained some steps that the university and the Division of Student Affairs (formerly Student Life) took following the shootings at Virginia Tech. The text message system and the Student Intervention Team (SIT) were mentioned as examples. Many of the faculty members were not aware of the specifics of SIT. A recommendation was made to use multiple avenues to communicate its purpose and presence. The red emergency cards that the university produced were distributed.
Mr. Johansson reported that due to absence and illness the student reports and the IIE report would be postponed to a future meeting. Patrick Woodyard plans to give a report about the Invisible Children. Upcoming Activities and Events The following events were announced: University entered partnership with Jordon University of Science and Technology earlier in February - The agreement creates exchange opportunities for students, faculty and researchers. Meetings which led to this began after the visit of King Abdullah II in 2006. Russia Language Festival- This is being organized by the Russian Language club. It will likely be held in late March or early April. African/Caribbean Night- TBA India Night- April 5th at the Ford Center WorldFest- April 15th in the Grove FilmFest (International Films)- April dates and times TBA. Three films from the Oxford FilmFest will be shown for three days in a row. Films planned to be shown are The Listening Project which won the best documentary film award at the Oxford FilmFest, The Devil Came on Horseback, a film about Darfur and I love Hiphop which is about arranging a hiphop festival in Morocco. International Coffee and Tea- Every Friday from 2-4 in the Southern Breeze- 4th floor Union Planet Partners- ongoing program which pairs U.S. and international students/faculty for individual and group activities Upcoming Training/Travel Conferences MAIE (Mississippi Association of International Educators) Feb 14-15. Two staff members from OIP attended this state meeting and discussed issues such as new driver’s license requirements and immigration rules which affect the international population. A partnership with the MS Development Authority to promote international education as an export is being discussed. DC-Washington Symposium/NYC Recruitment- Michael Johansson will attend this in March. The symposium is associated with NAFSA and is limited to 75 participants. Issues related to foreign policy and education are discussed. While in the DC and NYC area, Mr. Johansson will make recruitment visits to embassies and agencies such as the Institute for International Education. Mr. Johansson told of the 20+ students IIE has sent
as a result of these visits in the last few years to demonstrate the cost effectiveness of this recruitment strategy. IIE is also working with the university to bring an individual from Afghanistan as a part of the Fulbright FLTA program. NAFSA annual conference Washington D.C. May 25th-30th. This is the 60th anniversary of the organization. Representatives from around the world will be in attendance. Committees members who are interested in attending were encouraged to look at the NAFSA site www.nafsa.org Registration begins March 3rd. ISP Committee Feedback Carey Hansen shared information about a successful winter intersession Study Abroad trip she led to London. Since the trip, many of the undergraduate students have expressed a desire to study abroad for longer periods. She has recently learned about an arts festival in Australia and hopes to organize a future winter intersession trip to attend. Chirag Warty got married in India during the winter break. While there he distributed many OIP informational cds and expects that we will receive some applications for admission as a result. Gang Guo was invited to Taiwan and to China. He has been in contact with a city government research office that wants to network with scholars in the United States. He told them about the recent agreement signed with J.U.S.T. A need for an online brief introduction of the university including all the programs offered and possibly translated into different languages was identified. Dr. Guo also expressed a desire to hear national anthems at WorldFest during the Parade of Flags. Logistical concerns were discussed, but if those can be solved the subject will remain open. Meeting adjourned.
Michael Johansson, Chair _________________________________
Chancellor Khayat _________________________________