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March 2003

Task force aims to "internationalize" UNF

Nana Asibey-Bonsu of Ghana

A group of about two dozen UNF faculty and staff members is working on a project to "internationalize" UNF.

When Interim President David Kline addressed the group in January, he said it was important to figure out what it means to internationalize "Sally from Live Oak" at UNF.

"How would Sally be different when she graduated from UNF," he asked the group.

With that, the group set out to define what exactly does it mean to want to internationalize UNF. Tim Robinson, director of the International Center, said the term refers to a broad spectrum of initiatives, all designed to increase the exposure of UNF students to the international world.

"Although UNF faculty and staff are already doing a variety of international activities, it is a University responsibility to prepare our graduates to lead responsible and productive lives in both the local and global context," Robinson said. "As we can see by the economic problems in Venezuela, or the political tensions regarding Iraq, we are all affected by international events. The international expansion of the UNF academic experience will aid students to develop the knowledge, skills and abilities required of competent citizens of a global society."

The project, which started with an International Retreat in November, includes working groups to concentrate on a number of areas of concern to students and faculty. A final report is due to Kline by April.

Initiatives include increasing the number of international students on campus, determining campus needs regarding foreign language offerings, and obtaining additional funding for international projects and faculty enhancement.

Robinson said he knows limited funding will make it impossible to achieve all aspects of the program. However, he said the project is important because all aspects of the University community have come together for the first time to discuss international issues. Robinson hopes the task force will create a higher level of awareness about how international elements play an important role in a UNF education.

Jeff Steagall of the Coggin College of Business, who chairs the task force, noted that there has been a focus on international business in the college since 1996.

"We've seen a dramatic shift in our students' awareness and understanding of the international aspects of business," he said.

"The post-9/11 world requires a much greater commitment to understanding the role of the U.S. in the world, including both how many of our policies help citizens of other nations, and how some policies foster resentment toward our nation. Only through such comprehension will our alumni be able to build a future in which such risks are minimized," he noted.

Study abroad opportunities are a particular focus of the task force. UNF now ranks 19th among its peer institutions in the United States with respect to the number of students who study abroad on a short-term basis.

"I have never met anyone who returned to the U.S. after her first trip without having experienced a dramatic increase in awareness of the complexities and amazing diversity of our world," Steagall said.

The working groups have been divided into five broad areas: strategic plan, students, programs, campus culture, and faculty development. Each group has identified issues and will plan a timetable and the needed resources to achieve goals.

Other members of the task force are Hank Camp, Chuck Paulson, Jim Owens, Tom Serwatka, Jose Mendoza, Kapil Sethi, JoAnn Nolin, Rosa De Jorio, Dale Clifford, Arturo Sanchez, Mauricio Gonzalez, Ruth Harrold, Jeff Michelman, Renee Scott, Vasudeep Yanala, Jose Angels, Ron Lukens-Bull, Debra Murphy, Candice Carter and Peggy Armstrong.