International Education Committee
Minutes
April 20, 2015
1401 Centennial
Meeting called to order at 4:05 pm
1.
2.
Welcome from Chair, Gullekson
Attendance
a. Members: Gerber, Gilmore, Goodnow, Gullekson, Hay, Johnson, Lake, Levinson, Stine
b. Student members: Hartwig
c. Consultants: Kraemer, Pierce
3. Approval of Minutes from 4-6-15
M/S/P 8-0-0
4. Update on Open Doors Report (Pierce)
a. UWL has dropped significantly in its rankings for both the number of International students
enrolled and for the number of UW-L students studying abroad. Pierce suggested that the latter
may be due to fewer faculty led programs in the last couple of years.
5. IDF grant proposals
a. Discussion of Alessandro Quartiroli’s proposal for Italy in summer 2015. Proposal was seen as
straightforward, but in need of more detail on budget request and on planned itinerary. Concern
expressed about whether enough ground work had been done. The trip appears to be
exploratory in nature. Pierce acknowledged exploratory nature, but also that these should be
encouraged and there is a demand for study tours or study abroad opportunities in Italy.
M/S/P. Conditional approval be granted for A. Quartiroli’s IDF proposal for travel to Italy in
summer 2015 pending 1) formulation of a more detailed itinerary and detailed budget and 2) a
meeting with the interim director of OIE, Fred Pierce, and Chair of IEC. 9-0-0.
b.
Discussion of Gretchen Newhouse proposal for Costa Rica and Nicaragua, January 2016.
Proposal needs more detailed itinerary, especially for proposed trip to Nicaragua. As internship
coordinator for the Recreation Management Program, Newhouse would have strong connection
for recruiting students. Recommend that she look into country providers in Central America as
they may provide a better price point.
M/S/P. Approve G .Newhouse’s IDF proposal for travel to Costa Rica and Nicaragua in January
2016 pending 1) final detailed itinerary, including information on Nicaragua visit and 2) meeting
with the interim director of OIE, Fred Pierce,[or new director, when named] and Chair of IEC. 80-1
Note by Pierce that her funding will need to come from next year’s budget.
6. INS Minor changes . Eric Kraemer explained the proposed changes to the INS minor, comparing them
to the current minor, that with the requirement of four semesters of a modern languages requires
almost 40 credits. The revised minor would require two semesters of a language (102 level), a global
studies course, 12 additional credits and the capstone. Those completing the Area Studies Minor
would continue to need four semesters of a language (202 level), plus the regional courses, and the
capstone.
M/S/P Approve the revisions to the INS minor, both the basic minor and the area studies version. 9-0-0.
7. Belize on-going faculty led program proposal. Gretchen Gerrish & Greg Sandland discussed their
proposal for their second Belize program planned for January 2016. Helping students develop and
practice research is focus of course; students observe for five days then complete research project
over next five days followed by a “mini-conference” at the end, presenting while still in Belize.
Following trip, students are encouraged to enroll in BIO 499 to continue their research project. More
than half of the students did so after the first study tour.
Health and safety concerns were addressed by Gerrish and Sandland. They have good contacts in
Belize, and one is an EMT there. Emergency contact information is available. Instructors would be
notified if there were any behavioral concerns on file for any student. Faculty’s strong personal
connections on the island and inland should ease any GSD issues.
Budget needs to be updated, and the fringe rate is faculty members’ actual fringe rate, not the 62%.
Budget should be your actually fringe rate, not the 62%.
M/S/P. Approve the on-going faculty led program to Belize proposed by Gerrish & Sandland pending
final budget approval and signatures of all necessary parties. 9-0-0
8. Gullekson pointed out that the Faculty Emergency Plan sent with the agenda was just an example of
what we might consider here.
9. Old Business
10. New Business. Pierce mentioned that there may be a proposal coming from Modern Languages as
OIE was approached on April 20. If so, IEC may need to approve via email.
11. Next meeting will be on May 4, 2015 in room 1401 Centennial Hall.
Adjourned at 5:05 pm.
Respectfully submitted
Emily Johnson