Office of International Programs

Office of International Programs

International Campus Update Newsletter

May 15, 2003

NOTE: This newsletter will not be published in the summer. The next issue is scheduled for September.

Headlines

SARS OUTBREAK: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has issued guidelines for institutions or organizations hosting people arriving from areas with SARS. At this time, CDC does not recommend canceling or postponing classes, meetings, or other gatherings that will include persons traveling to the United States from areas with SARS. And CDC does not recommend quarantine of persons arriving from areas with SARS. To see the complete guidelines, go to: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/hostingarrivals.htm.

SARS IMPACTS CHINA CENTER PROGRAMS: The outbreak of SARS in China and Hong Kong is making it difficult for Chinese executives to attend training programs at the China Center’s Mingda Institute. Several programs scheduled for this spring and summer have been postponed. A United Nations Development Program delegation from Ningxia Province recently completed a successful three-month training program at the University and are heading back to China. This group received training from top-level University faculty on a variety of topics related to their profession and the basics of the American system, as well as receiving personalized and professional ESL instruction. For more info about the Mingda Institute: http://www.chinacenter.umn.edu/training/training.htm

SCHOLARS AT RISK NETWORK: The University Libraries are happy to welcome Innocent Afuh Awasom as a science librarian. Innocent's current twelve-month temporary position is funded through the University and the Institute for International Education, both under the auspices of the Scholars at Risk Network, which arranges temporary positions for displaced and persecuted scholars at participating institutions. “Innocent's situation in Cameroon — being persecuted for promoting access to information — is so compelling and so moving to librarians that we worked very diligently to secure funding and to locate an appropriate position in the University Libraries,” said Peggy Johnson, associate university librarian. Innocent holds a Master’s of Library Science and an M.S. in Zoology, with emphasis on fisheries. He will provide instruction and reference service at Magrath Library and the Entomology, Fisheries, and Wildlife Library. Innocent has family in Cameroon and plans to return when the political situation is less dangerous for him. For more info: http://scholarsatrisk.uchicago.edu/

LEARNING ABROAD CENTER: Effective July 1, the International Service and Travel Center (ISTC) and the Global Campus will merge to form the Learning Abroad Center, which will be the University’s office for study, work, intern, volunteer, and travel opportunities worldwide. As the definition of “education abroad” has expanded to include internships, work, and volunteer programs in addition to traditional study programs, the roles of both ISTC and the Global Campus have intertwined. The merger will allow the new unit to share resources and expertise, providing advising and information for students, faculty, and advisers. The Learning Abroad Center will be located in 230 Heller Hall, with travel information and materials available in 94 Blegen.

LEARNING ABROAD CENTER FAIRS: Students will have the opportunity to learn about study, work, intern, volunteer, and travel abroad opportunities at the Learning Abroad Center’s fall and spring fairs. Mark your calendars! For more info: call Antonia at 612-626-8966.

ISTC HOURS: The International Service and Travel Center will have summer hours from May 19 to June 30. ISTC will be open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., and Fridays, 9 a.m.-noon. Starting July 1, ISTC will become a part of the new Learning Abroad Center (see above).

DISTINGUISHED LEADERSHIP AWARD FOR INTERNATIONALS: Numerous nominations have been received for this new award, which is designed to increase the profile of our outstanding international alumni. The group of nominees is diverse in terms of geography, discipline, and gender, and features alumni from the College of Liberal Arts; College of Education and Human Development; Institute of Technology; School of Nursing; College of Agricultural, Food, and Environmental Sciences; and the Medical School. Winners will be announced in the fall. Staff and faculty from all colleges and campuses are encouraged to nominate outstanding international alumni for this award. The deadline for the 2004 awards and all subsequent years will be in the fall. For more info: http://www.international.umn.edu/awards/leader/leader.html or contact Susan Atwood at 612-626-8832 or atwood@umn.edu.

CARLA WORKS WITH MN DEPT OF EDUCATION: At the end of June, the Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) will complete its contract with the Minnesota Department of Education to provide coordination for the World Language Area Support Team. Ursula Lentz, CARLA program associate for assessment, was appointed as coordinator and contracted to:

LANGUAGE TEACHER EDUCATION CONFERENCE: The Center for Advanced Research on Language Acquisition (CARLA) will host “Creating Teacher Community: Third International Conference on Language Teacher Education” on May 29-31, 2003, at the Radisson Hotel Metrodome. Designed for practitioners and researchers involved in the preparation and ongoing professional development of language teachers, this conference will address the education of teachers of all languages, at all instructional and institutional levels, and in all the many national and international contexts in which this takes place. For more info: http://carla.acad.umn.edu/conference2003/LTE.html

ALUMNUS AND FORMER U.S. AMBASSADOR: Alumnus and Former U.S. Ambassador Jeffrey Davidow has been named president of the Institute of the Americas, effective June 1, 2003. Davidow was declared a "Career Ambassador," a distinction given to just three individuals in the U.S. He most recently served as the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico (1998-2002). Davidow holds a master's degree in American studies from the University of Minnesota. The Institute’s mission is to promote development and integration, emphasizing the role of the private sector, as a means to improve the economic, political, and social well-being of the people of the Americas.

International Education After September 11

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: International students on the Twin Cities campus are reminded that they must contact International Student and Scholar Services if they plan to travel out of the U.S. this summer.
ISSS: 190 Humphrey or 612-626-7100.

ARRIVAL DATE LIMITATION: Due to new federal regulations, new international students can arrive in the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to the start of their academic program (compared with 60 days previously). Colleges will need to schedule orientations within this time period, taking care not to conflict with the dates of the mandatory International Student Orientation Program (ISOP), organized by International Student and Scholar Services. For 2003 ISOP dates, go to http://www.isss.umn.edu/new/isop/newly/doccheck.html

VISA DOCUMENT PROCESSING: Due to complications with the new SEVIS system, departments are encouraged to allow as much time as possible for staff in International Student & Scholar Services to process visa documents. (Note: ISSS is closed to the public on Tuesdays to process more than 4,000 SEVIS documents before the August 1 deadline.)
SEVIS information: http://www.isss.umn.edu/SEVIS/SEVIS.html

INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION ORGANIZATIONS REQUEST STREAMLINED VISA PROCESS: NAFSA: Association of International Educators and the Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange sent a letter to Secretary of State Colin Powell and Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge asking them to reform the visa system to ensure international students can continue to attend U.S. institutions. Excerpt: “In the interest of our nation’s foreign policy, economic, and security objectives, we ask you to institute the necessary reforms to the visa system in time to prevent a recurrence of the problems students and scholars experienced during the high-volume application season last summer.” The University is expecting a decline in the number of international students on campus next fall, although this number is difficult to predict.

Campus and College News

AUSTRIAN STUDIES: Austrian Studies will co-sponsor “Embodiments of Power – Building Baroque Cities in Austria and Europe,” an international, interdisciplinary conference to be held September 18-20 on the Twin Cities campus.

MINNESOTA ENGLISH CENTER: Minnesota English Center will offer a summer session of "Semi-Private ESL Tutoring," which assists non-teaching members of the University community (both students and staff) who need help improving their English language skills in a small-group setting where their particular needs can be addressed. Hurry! The course begins May 19 and runs until July 2. Clerical and bargaining unit employees can take this course for free. For more information, call 612-626-4548 or e-mail mec@umn.edu.

MINNESOTA INTERNATIONAL CENTER: “Global Health: Why Should Minnesota Care?” May 29, 7-10 p.m., live at the Mall of America or via broadcast at the MIC offices. Sponsored by By the People Minnesota, a partnership of MIC, Twin Cities Public Television, and Mayo Clinic, designed to engage the community in discussion about the many ways global health issues affect Minnesotans. Advance registration is required: csteinbe@globe.mic.umn.edu or 612.625.2102.

NATURAL RESOURCES/PEACE CORPS: The Peace Corps’ Masters International Program offers the opportunity to incorporate Peace Corps service into a master's degree program. The College of Natural Resources’ Department of Forest Resources is a participant in this program. For more info: http://www.peacecorps.gov/gradschool/masters/index.cfm

WEISMAN: "Beauty in the Box: The Enduring Elegance of Korean Design," an exhibition at the Weisman Art Museum, highlights the beauty and craftsmanship of Korean wooden furniture. The exhibition runs May 17-August 3. For more information about the exhibit or museum hours, call 612-625-9494 or see http://www.weisman.umn.edu.

Funding Opportunities and Announcements

OIP FACULTY TRAVEL GRANTS: OIP Faculty Travel Grants deadline is August 1, 2003, for travel in September, October, November, and December 2003. Download application or apply online at http://www.international.umn.edu/travelgrant/ or call OIP at 612-624-5580.

FULBRIGHT TRADITIONAL LECTURING AND RESEARCH GRANTS: Fulbright Traditional Lecturing and Research Grants application deadline is August 1, 2003. Applications available at http://www.cies.org/. Campus representatives are Kathleen Sellew (Twin Cities); Janice Bower (Duluth); and Roger Wareham (Morris).

University of Minnesota
International Campus Update
Vol. 4, No. 5

Office of International Programs
Assoc. Vice President: C. Eugene Allen
Editor: Jennifer Schulz

Interested persons may request to receive this newsletter as an e-mail update by contacting the editor at schul160@umn.edu or calling 612-624-0557.

The next issue will be sent in September. International Campus Update welcomes submissions. Please send items to be included to schul160@umn.edu or call 612-624-0557.