Regulations & Policies

International Affairs

I. OBJECTIVE AND PURPOSE

This policy provides guidelines for colleges ("Units") wishing to (A) establish a general relationship with an overseas academic institution or (B) identify and specify the details of a particular, Unit-focused activity within an existing general relationship. The purpose of this policy is to provide for a standard and efficient means by which to establish contractual relationships between the University and overseas academic institutions consonant with the mutual understanding of the parties and consistent with business and legal risks acceptable to the University.

II. STATEMENT OF POLICY

Each general relationship will be based upon a written agreement ("International Academic Exchange Agreement") and each Unit-focused activity within an existing general relationship will be based upon a written agreement ("Sub-Agreement"), (collectively "Agreements"). Each Agreement shall be executed by a person authorized to bind each the University and the overseas academic institution. The President of the University has the sole, but delegable, authority to sign an Agreement on behalf of the University. No person other than the President, or his delegate by written delegation of authority, is authorized to sign an Agreement on the University's behalf.

International Academic Exchange Agreements

An International Academic Exchange Agreement is a first-level, general statement of interest in developing mutual forms of cooperation and is considered an internal commitment of University resources for the benefit of University students, faculty, and staff.

Each International Academic Exchange Agreement shall follow the then current University template approved by the University's Office of the General Counsel. Revisions may be allowed for the purposes of comity or clarity. Prior to its execution, each International Academic Exchange Agreement must be reviewed and recommended for approval by the Office of the General Counsel and by International Affairs. An original of each International Academic Exchange Agreement will be maintained by International Affairs and a copy thereof provided to the Office of General Counsel.

Sub-Agreements

A Sub-Agreement identifies the more specific terms of a particular Unit-focused activity and is considered an internal commitment of a Unit's resources for the benefit of University students, faculty, and staff participating in that activity. Sub-Agreements address such particulars as terms of student exchanges, faculty exchanges, cooperative materials/curricula development, and joint research projects. As with the International Academic Exchange Agreement, the President has the sole, but delegable, authority to sign a Sub-Agreement. The University's International Affairs, however, will initiate any Sub-Agreement that provides for a University-wide student exchange.

Although Sub-Agreements may vary greatly depending upon their specific activities, each shall be reviewed and recommended for approval by the Office of the General Counsel and by International Affairs. The Vice President for Student and International Affairs shall be responsible for ensuring that such review is documented prior to execution of any Sub-Agreement. An original of each Sub-Agreement will be maintained by the Unit and a copy thereof provided to International Affairs and the Office of General Counsel.

The University's International Affairs is charged with the responsibility of reviewing international or immigration issues arising in connection with a Sub-Agreement and making appropriate recommendations to the University Units. Each Sub-Agreement dealing with student exchange shall include as part of the document a listing of staff at each institution who are responsible for student safety/security as well as the appropriate 24/7 contact information in the case of student emergencies. All Unit-Specific Sub-Agreements that commit Unit resources must ensure that the finances or personnel of other Units are not negatively impacted without their knowledge and consent.

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