International Education Committee

Meeting Minutes: October 6, 2004

1:00 p.m.

Members Present: James Berg, Timothy Benson, Hanna Erpestad, Michele Keane, Gary Zaudtke, Jeri Schwerin

• St. Cloud Conference

Hanna E., Michele K. and Candace Barnack attended a conference in St. Cloud regarding travel programs and study abroad programs. The purpose of the conference was for MNSCU schools to share ideas regarding their international education programs. They have designated themselves as the Minnesota International Studies Academic Collaboration. The attendees decided to hold meetings together every two months at the St. Cloud campus. Some items that they would like to discuss include: (1) writing a proposal to the presidential office of each campus and later the Chancellor's office in order to request financial support for global education and (2) establishing a website for all MNSCU travel programs/study abroad programs. The next meeting will be held on November 29 th at 10 a.m. in St. Cloud. There is no fee to join. Lake Superior College should consider presenting one of its travel programs or the study abroad program at one of the meetings.

• International Travel Handbook

A draft copy of the International Travel Handbook was distributed to the committee members for suggestions/comments. The committee was not able to get through the entire handbook at the meeting, but did make some suggestions. Here is a list of some of the suggested changes:

• List the legitimate reasons for denying a student's application
• Format the Application Review Process page so it resembles more the signature portion of the petition forms currently being used
• Add a student signature line to application
• Change the student age from "under 21" to "under 18" (p. 7)
• Change "constant contact" to "regular contact" (p. 9)
• Edit the second bulleted line in Guidelines for Student Participants (p. 11) to read "Each applicant must be in good academic standing and provide the trip leader with a current copy of his or her academic transcript."
• In the Student Code of Conduct, line three, delete the word "soley"

Jim stated that currently there is no MNSCU rule regarding an age for student participants. Previously the committee had supported keeping the minimum age requirement at 18 with the opportunity for younger applicants to petition. There was discussion on the pros and cons of maintaining the age requirement. The question was raised as to who has appeal authority, and the committee recognizes that someone from Student Services should be involved in that process. Due to time constraints, the committee was unable to finish going through the application page by page.

Respectfully submitted,

Timothy Benson

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