UMKC Policy on Recruiting International Sponsored Students—Draft 4
Best Practices
Sandy Gault
November, 2010

UMKC is represented professionally and ethically at all recruiting events. This is
critically important when working with sponsoring agencies that will place
students at UMKC.

UMKC recruiting staffs are well-trained on admission requirements for all
academic units and are expected to know highlights about each academic
program, as well as pertinent information and requirements for UMKC
scholarships.

UMKC recruiting staffs are knowledgeable about the Kansas City community,
housing opportunities and all UMKC support services.

UMKC recruiting staffs have a thorough understanding of educational systems
and cultures from 200 countries around the world, and are able to do
comparative education assessments for admission purposes.

Those charged with university-wide recruiting of international students are
Designated School Officials, recognized by the Federal Government, with
expertise in immigration regulations for F and J students and scholars. They
assist with training and advice for academic unit recruitment initiatives led by
Deans and their academic units.

UMKC’s Designated School Officials, which reside in ISAO, have the expertise and
authority to issue the government form I-20, which students will use to obtain
their F-1 visas to enter the USA.

UMKC’s Alternate Responsible Officers, which reside in ISAO, have the expertise
and authority to issue the government form DS-2019 which scholars will use to
obtain their J-1 visas to enter the USA.

UMKC’s official representatives to Embassies and non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) are the International Student Affairs Office (ISAO)
Sponsored Student Officers and recruiting staff who are also Designated School
Officials.

Embassies and NGOs sponsoring students are provided with one main contact
person at UMKC, located in ISAO, and work exclusively with that individual and
designated assistants. This ensures clear, accurate communication and better
service to the student as well as sponsoring agency.

The Sponsored Student Officers collect and disseminate information from other
UMKC offices for the Embassies and NGOs such as transcripts, attendance
reports and mid-term assessments from recruitment through post-degree
completion, including Optional Practical Training.

Visits to Embassies and NGO sponsoring organizations are arranged and led by
the Sponsored Student Officers and ISAO recruiting staff.

Visits to the UMKC campus from Embassies and NGOs are arranged and hosted
by ISAO.

Contacting Embassy or NGO representatives is done by ISAO or an agreed-upon
representative, upon consultation with ISAO.

Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) and Articulation agreements with
Embassies or NGOs should be developed with ISAO and/or International
Academic Programs (IAP) approval. The Provost and/or Vice Chancellor of
Student Affairs and Enrollment Management must also approve these
agreements.