Annual Report on the Faculty Senate International Education Committee, 2005-06.
Membership:
Faculty: Moises Arce (Political Science), Boryung Ju (LIS), Michael Leitner (Geo/Anthro),
Jack Malone (Vet. Med.), Louay Mohammed (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Patt O’Neill
(Music), Chuck Rush (Plant Pathology), Meredith Veldman (History), Y Jun Xu(Renewable
Natural Resources-Ag).
Students: Munir Nazal, Tolulope Ogunbakin,
Ex officio: Jane Chandler (International Development), Christine Day (Student Aid and
Scholarships), Harald Leder (Academic Programs Abroad), Stephen Lucas (International
Programs), Jeannine Nelson (International Admissions), Deborah Parker (International
Admissions), Mary Parker (Student Aid), Pauline Rankin (Continuing Ed.), Natalie Rigby (ISO),
Lakshman Velupillai (International Program-Ag Center).
Student Senate observer: C.C. DuBois
IEC’s Charge from the Faculty Senate:
-To select tuition exemption scholarships for international students;
-To screen prospective LSU student Fulbright applicants;
-To act in advisory capacity to administrative units of LSU in areas which affect international
students and LSU students studying abroad;
-To develop and promote international exchange programs (study, research, service) between LSU
and universities, colleges, and institutes in other countries.
The committee met in July, September, October, November, December, February, March, and
April. In the fall we invited Harald Leder (Director of Academic Programs Abroad), Jane Chandler
(Interim Director of International Development), Maureen Hewitt (Director of the International
Cultural Center), and Stephen Lucas (Director of International Programs ) to join the committee as
ex officio members. The IEC benefits enormously from the active participation of its ex officio
membership.
Much of our time this year was devoted to investigating the state of international education at LSU.
What we found was troubling. The attached document, “Internationalizing the Campus: A Report
of the Faculty Senate International Education Committee,” spells out our concerns. The IEC
intends to spend 2006-07 devising a set of recommendations to accelerate LSU’s development as a
truly international campus.
The chair of the IEC for 2006-07 will be Professor Patt O’Neill.
MEETING
Faculty Senate International Education Committee
July 20, 2005, Himes 221C
Present: Tao Fang, Louay Mohammad, Patt O’Neill, Pauline Rankin, Natalie Rigby, Milton
(Chuck) Rush, Ogunbaki Tolulope, Meredith Veldman, Lakshman Velupillai, Y. Jun Xu.
Excused: Moises Arce, Christine Day, CC DuBois, Jack Malone
Not attending: Tao Fang, Boryung Ju, Harald Leder, Jeannine Nelson, , Mary Parker.
The meeting was called to order at 10:00 am.
Selection of recipients for Undergraduate International Honor Award (non-resident tuition
waivers):
The committee members reviewed 22 applications and the supporting documents for the
Undergraduate International Honor Award. Nine students including one alternate were selected for
the Award, as shown below:
Name
Major
Citizenship
Abraham, Mariham
Chemistry
Ethiopia
Awarun, Olufemi
Electrical Engineering
Nigeria
Biswas, Sumi
Accounting
Bangladesh
Cadwallader, Lucy
Environmental Systems
United Kingdom
Dibra, Besart
Civil Engineering
Albania
Goulart, Venancio
International Trade & Finance
Brazil
Meke, Daniel Uchenna
Mechanical Engineering
Nigeria
Osisioma, Amara
Electrical & Computer Engineering Nigeria
Alternate:
Raoufi, Kambiz
Civil Engineering
The meeting adjourned at 10:40 am.
Respectfully submitted,
Y. Jun Xu
Secretary
Iran
MEETING
Faculty Senate International Education Committee
September 16, 2005, Himes 221B
Present*: Christine Day (Student Aid & Scholarships), C.C. DuBois (Student Representative),
Maureen Hewitt (ICC), Boryung Ju, Harald Leder (International Development), Jack Malone,
Louay Mohammad, Munir Nazal (Graduate Student Representative), Patt O’Neill, Jeannine
Nelson (International Admissions), Pauline Rankin, Milton (Chuck) Rush, Tolulope Ogunbakin
(Student Representative), Meredith Veldman, Lakshman Velupillai, Y. Jun Xu.
Excused*: Moises Arce, Natalie Rigby (ISO), Jessica Vargas (Admissions)
Not attending*: Stephen Lucas (International Programs)
*Faculty member, unless indicated otherwise
The meeting was called to order at 11:00 am.
I. The “State of Affairs” in international education at LSU
The committee discussed the current status of international education activities and was made
aware of:
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LSU international students: ~1700 or 5% of the entire university enrollment.
LSU students abroad: ~50, mainly in western European countries.
LSU has admitted international students from hurricane-affected areas.
Director position for the University Office of International Development still not filled.
Director position of Study Abroad Programs now vacant.
Overall, lack of commitment for international programs at the University
II. Chair’s Proposal: international education survey of peer institutions as defined in
Flagship Agenda)
The committee discussed Chair’s proposal (see attached) to collect data on international education
at our peer institutions as defined by the flagship agenda as a first step toward presenting a report to
the Faculty Senate and the Chancellor on the current lack of university commitments for and the
lack of awareness of various activities relating to international education.
Committee members are asked to send ideas to the chair. Committee members willing to assist in
data collection and report preparation are also asked to contact the chair.
The meeting adjourned at 12:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Y. Jun Xu and Meredith Veldman
Secretary and Chair, respectively
Faculty Senate International Education Committee
October 21, 2005
Agenda
New Business
I. Clarification RE membership
Old Business
I. Review of scholarship selection process
–survey of procedures followed at peer institutions: Jeannine Nelson
–report on scholarship winners’ academic success at LSU: Christine Day
II. Devising a survey of international students to assess the impact of the International Cultural
Center and the International Students’ Office.
III. Preparing a position paper on the state of affairs in International Education at LSU
___________
Members:
Faculty: Moises Arce (Political Science), Boryung Ju (LIS), Jack Malone (Vet. Med.),
Louay Mohammed (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Patt O’Neill (Music), Chuck Rush
(Plant Pathology), Meredith Veldman (History), Y Jun Xu(Renewable Natural Resources-Ag).
Students: Munir Nazal, Tolulope Ogunbakin,
Ex officio: Christine Day (Student Aid and Scholarships), Harald Leder (International
Development), Stephen Lucas (International Programs), Jeannine Nelson (International
Admissions), Deborah Parker (International Admissions), Mary Parker (Student Aid), Pauline
Rankin (Continuing Ed.), Natalie Rigby (ISO), Lakshman Velupillai (International Program-Ag
Center).
Student observer: C.C. DuBois
Faculty Senate International Education Committee
Dec. 16, 2005
Agenda
I. Selection of Tiger Scholarship award winners:
three X653 ($7500 per year for four years to be applied to nonresident tuition fee; for
incoming freshmen only)
twelve X652 ($5,000 per year for four years to be applied to nonresident tuition fee; for
incoming freshmen only)
II. Review and evaluation of Tiger Scholarship award process
III. Discussion of the formation of the Graduate Council Committee on International Studies and
Programs and its relation to the FSIEC
IV. Progress report: “Internationalizing the Campus: A Proposal”
Members:
Faculty: Moises Arce (Political Science), Boryung Ju (LIS), Jack Malone (Vet. Med.),
Louay Mohammed (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Patt O’Neill (Music), Chuck Rush
(Plant Pathology), Meredith Veldman (History), Y Jun Xu(Renewable Natural Resources-Ag).
Students: Munir Nazal, Tolulope Ogunbakin,
Ex officio: Christine Day (Student Aid and Scholarships), Harald Leder (International
Development), Stephen Lucas (International Programs), Jeannine Nelson (International
Admissions), Deborah Parker (International Admissions), Mary Parker (Student Aid), Pauline
Rankin (Continuing Ed.), Natalie Rigby (ISO), Lakshman Velupillai (International Program-Ag
Center).
Student observer: C.C. DuBois
Faculty Senate International Education Committee
Feb. 1, 2006
Minutes
Members attending are in bold:
Faculty: Moises Arce (Political Science), Boryung Ju (LIS), Jack Malone (Vet. Med.),
Louay Mohammed (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Patt O’Neill (Music), Chuck
Rush (Plant Pathology), Meredith Veldman (History), Y Jun Xu(Renewable Natural
Resources-Ag).
Students: Munir Nazal, Tolulope Ogunbakin; Student observer: C.C. DuBois
Ex officio: Christine Day (Student Aid and Scholarships), Harald Leder (APA), Jane
Chandler (International Development), Stephen Lucas (International Programs), Jeannine
Nelson (International Admissions), Deborah Parker (International Admissions), Mary Parker
(Student Aid), Natalie Rigby (ISO), Lakshman Velupillai (International Programs-Ag
Center).
I. New Business:
Rigby reported that a Global Studies Residential College will be up and running by next fall. Leder
and Chandler reported on changes in the International Programs offices: Chandler is now the
Interim Director of International Development and Leder is directing Academic Programs Abroad.
Heather Lambert has been hired as a new coordinator within International Programs; she will be
responsible primarily for recruiting and advising students who wish to study abroad. Stephen
Lucas will be retiring and a search for a new Executive Director of International Programs is
underway.
II. “Internationalizing the Campus: A Proposal”:
After a wide-ranging discussion, committtee members agreed to the following:
–to aim for a final draft by next month so that we can proceed to present the proposal to the
Faculty Senate;
–to emphasize in the proposal the need for a balanced, global approach: while applauding
the new Chinese Commerce and Culture program, the committee will urge that LSU’s
international curriculum not be restricted to one region or area. Velupillai pointed out the central
Asia is a rapidly developing area and Leder noted that 80% of foreign investment in Louisiana
comes from Europe.
–to strengthen the academic focus of the proposal. Ideas included:
--designing a program whereby students would earn a “Global Certificate” through
a combination of coursework, study abroad, and involvement with international
affairs on campus;
--adding an introductory course in globalization to the General Education
requirements;
–working within the framework of the new Global Studies Residential College and
the existing International Studies program
III. Working with the Graduate Council Committee on International Studies and Programs:
Veldman will be attending the CISP meeting on Feb. 7 as a representative of FSIEC with an aim
toward ensuring coordination rather than duplication of efforts.
IV. Changes in membership:
Veldman reported that Pauline Rankin has retired. Mohammed reported that Chuck Rush,
Meredith Veldman, and Boryung Jun will all be rotating off the committee after this semester.
Charles Teddlie resigned last year and has not been replaced. Veldman is willing to serve on the
committee for another term but we are looking for three new faculty members. We have no
members from Basic Sciences, Mass Communications, Business or Coastal Environment. If you
know anyone interested, have them contact Louay Mohammed.
Faculty Senate International Education Committee
March 8, 2006
8:00 am, 221B Himes Hall
Members attending are in bold:
Faculty: Moises Arce (Political Science), Boryung Ju (LIS), Michael Leitner (Geo/Anthro),
Jack Malone (Vet. Med.), Louay Mohammed (Civil and Environmental Engineering), Patt
O’Neill (Music), Chuck Rush (Plant Pathology), Meredith Veldman (History), Y Jun
Xu(Renewable Natural Resources-Ag).
Students: Munir Nazal, Tolulope Ogunbakin; Student observer: C.C. DuBois
Ex officio: Jane Chandler (International Development), Christine Day (Student Aid and
Scholarships), Maureen Hewitt (ICC), Harald Leder (APA), Stephen Lucas (International
Programs), Jeannine Nelson (International Admissions), Deborah Parker (International
Admissions), Mary Parker (Student Aid), Natalie Rigby (ISO), Lakshman Velupillai
(International Program-Ag Center).
I. Selection of international scholarship recipients.
Jeannine Nelson presented the international students’ admissions list for Fall, 2006. The
Committee awarded ten Gold Oaks scholarships (full tuition and nonresident’s fee rebate) to
incoming freshmen. The Committee also awarded seven of the twenty available $7500 Tiger
scholarships ($7500 to be applied to the nonresident’s fee) for incoming freshmen and six of the
fifteen available $2500 Tiger scholarships for transfer students. The Committee agreed to meet
again in April, review the updated list of admissions, and decide on the distribution of the
remaining scholarships.
II. Report on Committee on International Studies and Programs.
Meredith Veldman noted the ongoing work of this newly formed College of Arts and
Sciences committee. She is chairing a CISP sub-committee exploring the obstacles that exist for
students who wish to study abroad.
III. Discussion of latest draft of “Internationalizing the Campus: A Proposal of the Faculty
Senate International Education Committee.”
The Committee agreed the following:
-that the draft is a report, but not a proposal or resolution;
–that we should delay presenting a resolution to the Faculty Senate until next fall;
–that such a resolution should be much more succinct and pointed;
–that the section on “The Problem of Credit Transfers” in endnote 3 needs to be revised,
based on further research
Minutes of the Faculty Senate International Education Committee
April 25, 2006
3:00 pm, 129 Himes Hall
Those attending are in bold:
Faculty: Moises Arce (Political Science), Boryung Ju (LIS), Michael Leitner
(Geo/Anthro), Jack Malone (Vet. Med.), Louay Mohammed (Civil and Environmental
Engineering), Patt O’Neill (Music), Chuck Rush (Plant Pathology), Meredith Veldman
(History), Y Jun Xu (Renewable Natural Resources-Ag).
Students: Munir Nazal, Tolulope Ogunbakin; Student observer: C.C. DuBois
Ex officio: Jane Chandler (International Development), Christine Day (Student Aid and
Scholarships), Maureen Hewitt (ICC), Harald Leder (APA), Stephen Lucas (International
Programs), Jeannine Nelson (International Admissions), Deborah Parker (International
Admissions), Mary Parker (Student Aid), Natalie Rigby (ISO), Lakshman Velupillai
(International Program-Ag Center).
Brian Buckner from Student Aid also attended the meeting.
I. The meeting began with a short description by Professor William Boelhower (Dept. of English)
of a proposed Atlantic Studies program and exchange. Boelhower was for many years Professor of
Atlantic Studies at the University of Padua, which hosts a multi-national M.A. program with the
University of Birmingham (UK) and the University of Dublin. He would like to start a similar
program here. He has applied for a Faculty Collaborative Research Summer Grant and plans to
apply for an NEH to get the program off the ground. Committee members supported Boelhower’s
goals, and suggested he begin with a small program, focusing perhaps on one department and one
foreign university. Boelhower pointed out that because of the interdisciplinary nature of Atlantic
Studies, an MA program would have to involve a number of departments.
Both Boelhower and Leder noted that the EU is now standardizing the awarding of credits
across all EU universities, which will streamline the process of credit transfer within EU
institutions–and make it much less attractive for European students to study in the U.S.
Strengthening LSU’s connections with EU universities is vital if we wish to continue to attract
European students.
II. Selection of international students’ awards recipients: The Committee awarded 13 $7500
and 27 $5000 tuition rebate awards to incoming international freshmen. The Committee awarded
ten $2500 awards to international transfer students.
Nelson requested that in the future, Admissions be given a two-week advance notice of
scholarship award meetings. Admissions will then be able to provide Committee members with
the applicants’ list several days before the meeting.
O’Neill requested that in the future, Admissions supply to Committee members a “key”
explaining the ratio, the abbreviations used, the minimum TOEFL score required, and other
components of the applicants’ list. Nelson agreed that such a “key” would be helpful and will be
supplied in the future.
Rush then moved that the Committee authorize Student Aid automatically to distribute
awards to applicants who meet the following criteria: they meet the January 1st application
deadline; they score between 50 and 100 on the GPA Ratio, and they present an ACT score of 27 or
higher, or a combined SAT score of 1220 or higher. Chandler seconded the motion. After
discussion, the motion passed by a vote of 5 to 1. Day then pointed out that because Student Aid
grants three different levels of awards to international applicants, the office would need specific
guidelines for each of the three levels. After considerable discussion, Mohammed moved to table
the previously passed measure. O’Neill seconded the motion, which passed with 5 affirmative
votes, and one abstention.
Committee members agreed that two issues need to be addressed early in the next
committee year:
1) the tabled motion;
2) the much-discussed request that international applicants be informed that SAT or ACT
scores are required if they wish to be considered for scholarships. Currently the application form
states that ACT/SAT scores are not required but are highly recommended for students who wish to
be considered for scholarships.
III. Discussion of SECACEA Study Abroad summary of June 2005. Veldman distributed this
report, which was provided to the Committee on International Studies and Programs at its last
meeting.
IV. Discussion of IEC report to Faculty Senate. Veldman distributed the latest draft of this report.
In the course of the ensuing discussion, committee members pointed out the language used in
several sections is unnecessarily negative. Veldman agreed to redraft the document. Rush
suggested she present the document to the Faculty Senate at its May meeting.
V. Arrangements for final meeting of this semester and selection of 2006-07 committee chair.
Veldman announced her hope that this meeting could take place via email. The membership of the
2006-07 committee should be in place by the end of this week, after which the election can take
place.
The meeting adjourned at 4:40.