Task Groups

 






International Task Group Charge

Creating a Shared Vision

Background

In simplest terms, the charge to this group is to recommend a plan to increase the number of International Students at WCU. In broader terms, the plan should consider ways to create a more "international" environment of learning for our students. The charge addresses the following Transformation subgoals in the Plan for Excellence:

  1. Responsiveness Transformation 6: "Integrate an international, global, and/or intercultural focus into teaching, research, learning, and service activities."
  2. Diversity Transformation 1: "Continue to develop effective strategies for recruiting and retaining a diverse community of students, staff, faculty, and administrators."
  3. Diversity Transformation 2: "Identify and reduce barriers to access and equity, and promote a campus climate supportive of diversity"
  4. Diversity Transformation 3: "Continue to ensure that academic curricula and institutional programs reflect the University's commitment to diversity and equity"

Outcomes

The group should conduct its work in two phases. In October, the Task Force will submit a report that provides data on the current population (and trends) of international students at WCU over the last five years. This data will include but not be limited to International students on visas enrolled at WCU, "other" international students at WCU, WCU students studying abroad for a term or longer, and students studying abroad as part of short-term faculty-led abroad experiences. In addition, Phase 1 work should identify ways in which we may be able to increase these numbers with limited effort. It is expected that there will be strategies that will increase our 2010-2011 population of international students.

By the end of November, the Task Force will submit a full report. This report will include the following components:

  1. At least three models at other comparable institutions
  2. Services and resources for international students that we will need to develop in order to support a larger international population. The group should consider the needs of students; semester breaks, ESL, creating a community, others needs to be identified.
  3. An administrative structure for international studies at WCU which includes existing entities such as GDC, ESL, and Study Abroad.