Travel and International Education Committee
Minutes for February 4, 2002
Present: June Reinert, Jay
Lokken, Sharon Scherwitz, Jonathan Majak (chair), Jack Bulk, Eric Kraemer, Gary
Gilmore.
Excused: Mehmet Aritan, Donald Kuderer, Ronald McKelvey, Andrew Stapleton, and
Robin McCannon.
Guests: Jim Gallagher, Deb Peterson (Records), Lisa Swayhoover (Study Abroad
Specialist).
1. The meeting was called to order at 3:55pm, February 22, 2002.
2. The minutes from December 3, 2001 were reviewed, revised (item 2:
"eliminated" in lieu of "changed from"), and passed unanimously as revised.
3. Jim Gallagher presented handouts and discussed his non-credit offering for
June 14-23, 2002, "A Walking Tour of Ireland's Dingle Peninsula."
This fourth such offering continues to focus on fitness and experiencing
the local culture, antiquity, and flora and fauna.
The issue of liability was discussed, and it was determined that for all
programs going abroad, insurance coverage is essential.
A question was raised about the responsibility of the committee in
reviewing programs such as this. It
was felt that making a distinction between "educational" vs. "non-educational"
ventures would be important.
4. Jay Lokken provided an International Education report.
He described a new program with Webster University in Austria, the
collaboration between UW-L and UW-Eau Claire regarding appropriate changes in
the Dalkeith program, Edinburgh, Scotland, as well as the recent downward trend
in international students coming to UW-L, while study abroad activity continues
to climb. Deb Peterson and Lisa
Swayhoover also added their perspectives regarding study abroad and equivalent
courses.
5. Major discussion centered around equivalency courses (raised by Jac Bulk),
and the need to systematize the process.
Review of such courses and their publication in the University catalogues and
website would assist all concerned.
The staff of the Office of International Education will initiate the review and
listing based on information already in hand.
6. International Studies and the Office of the Registrar will address the larger
programs offered abroad. Certain
departments may not want to have a standardized approach to courses from abroad
equating with UW-L courses. It was
deemed that the timing is good to be reviewing the overall process now that
study abroad activity is increasing (item summary by June Reinert).
7. The idea was proposed to have Lisa Swayhoover explore the possibility of
having international representatives in each department.
(item summary by June Reinert).
8. The meeting adjourned at 5:15pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Gary D. Gilmore