51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ

Requirements

General Requirements

In making application for and conducting an international academic program, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ policies and procedures for all academic, governance and business aspects of the proposed program must be followed, including applicable University procedures for the establishment of new degree programs, new program tracks, new certificates, and curricula. At the undergraduate level, such proposals require approval by the appropriate Faculty Senate committee(s); at the graduate level proposals must also go through normal Graduate College committee review.

The unit proposing the initiative is required during the application process to contact the Office of General Counsel in order to obtain, in General Counsel's discretion, foreign legal review at the unit's expense of any third party agreements in the host country to address such issues as registration as a business or educational institution, general liability, labor regulations for local employees, and other regulatory and legal requirements for the proposed activity.

Specific Requirements

The requirements below are adapted from "Venturing Abroad: Delivering U.S. Degrees through Overseas Branch Campuses and Programs," American Council on Education, 2007, p. 23:

1. Any proposal for international branch campuses and programs shall adhere to the standards of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) 2009 "Committee A" statement "On Conditions of Employment at Overseas Campuses," to the extent that they are consistent with NSHE and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ policies and procedures,
2. The stature of any affiliated institution(s) within the host country must be consistent with the stature of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and its participating campuses and schools;
3. The proposed program should fit a strategic priority of 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, either in terms of affiliation or the country or region. The program should not result in unnecessary duplication of other activities or linkages already in place in the host country or region;
4. Due diligence must be conducted regarding all affiliates' and contractors ' reputations and academic policies and practices, as well as their financial status and legal standing;
5. The program must adhere to the standards, guidelines and policies of the NSHE and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, and should comport with the applicable standards of the AAUP;
6. The program must receive approval from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities through the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost prior to implementation;
7. The program must address the host country's regulatory requirements (e.g., accreditation, registration, employment policies, taxes, etc.) for establishing an academic program;
8. The proposal should assess the competitive environment for higher education in the host country, as well as the likelihood that there will be a sufficient number of qualified students to sustain a viable program;
9. 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ student conduct codes and policies shall be applicable to the programs. The proposals must describe the mechanisms for enforcement of and compliance with such student conduct standards and procedures;
10. Any proposal must have a clearly articulated plan for closing, should quality assurance, financial or other reasons require withdrawal from the international location. Termination must be provided for in contractual arrangements and should be included in discussions with the counterpart organization during the planning process;
11. The proposal must address coordination, integration and consistency with the admissions, records, and graduation standards and functions on the main campus;
12. Faculty who teach or otherwise participate in international programs must have the same qualifications and approvals required of faculty on the main campus. At the graduate level, this includes holding graduate faculty status on the main campus;
13. The proposal must address issues of academic freedom and freedom of speech in the host country. This may be accomplished by citation to sites such as those of the  at the Scholars at Risk Network or the Network for Education & Academic Rights.

NSHE and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Names, Identities, Logos and Seals

Steps must be taken in written agreements and procedures to control the use of the NSHE and 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ names, identities, logos and seals in all verbal, written and on-line communications concerning the program, including in advertising and publicity about the program. In all cases 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ policies and design standards for name and logo use shall apply. In all agreements, provisions must be made to ensure proper protection for intellectual property.

Approvals

The requirements and procedures in this policy are in addition to, and do not supersede, any otherwise applicable academic or other required approvals.

Procedures

Application Procedures

1. The Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost and Office for International Programs must be consulted prior to submission of the preliminary proposal. In proposing an international program, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ proposing units are required to address the requirements outlined in this policy as well as the specific points identified in both the Preliminary Application Form and the more detailed Formal Application Form. For compiling the application, the AAUP "Committee A" statement "On Conditions of Employment at Overseas Campuses" provides guiding principles regarding concerns of host country contingent faculty, academic quality, academic freedom, and faculty review of the proposed activity;
2. Program concepts should be developed through systematic discussion with the deans, department chairs and faculty of all relevant 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ units, as well as with the Executive Vice President and Provost, prior to initiating formal discussions with authorized officials of any external organization;
3. A draft affiliation or other legal agreement should be attached to the preliminary proposal. The completed Preliminary Application Form shall be submitted by the applicable Dean/Director to the Executive Vice President and Provost;
4. Upon approval of the Preliminary Application by the Executive Vice President and Provost, a Formal Application Form shall be completed by the proposing unit and shall be reviewed by the Director of International Programs, the Vice President for Business and Finance, General Counsel and other appropriate University officials. It shall then be referred to the Faculty Senate Executive Committee for its recommendation;
5. The Formal Application must also be considered by the applicable faculty and the form signed by all relevant academic chair(s) and dean(s), who by submitting the proposal shall certify that it has been reviewed by the relevant faculty in compliance with all applicable unit bylaws. Upon action by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee, the Formal Application shall be routed to the Executive Vice President and Provost and then to the President, Chancellor and Board of Regents for approvals as required.

On-Going Evaluation of Approved International Academic Programs

In order to ensure maintenance of program quality and integrity, the following ongoing assessments will be required:

Annual Review

The director or head of each approved international program must submit to the applicable Dean, the Executive Vice President and Provost, and the Office of International Programs a brief (five to ten pages) report on key elements of the program during the preceding year. The report will be submitted within one month of the end of the academic year. The report will provide narrative and data consistent with 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ policies for assessment, on such matters as:

• Mission;
• Recruitment, admissions and educational outcomes data;
• Enrollment and student learning/assessment;
• Curriculum development and documentation of curriculum approval by 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ department specific faculty;
• Student evaluation of programs;
• Student retention and graduation data;
• Student and faculty administrative appeal data;
• Implementation of University policies and procedures relating to admissions, student records, academic performance;
• Status of host country faculty hiring plans and documentation that explicit approval by 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ discipline specific faculty has been obtained for these plans;
• Financial status of the program;
• Health, safety and security;
• Ethics and integrity;
• Plans for the coming year.

Periodic Reviews

In addition, every five years, the international academic program shall be reviewed at its own expense by a committee appointed by the Executive Vice President and Provost in consultation with department specific 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ faculty, which shall interview students, faculty and administrators and evaluate the program according to the categories outlined in the attached Commission for Higher Learning's "Principles of Good Practice in Overseas International Education Programs for Non-U.S. Nationals." The committee's report shall be forwarded to the appropriate dean/director, the Faculty Senate and the Executive Vice President and Provost.

Modification or Extension

Material modification of approved programs, including extension or expansion or new activities that include additional activities that would, standing alone, require application and approval under this policy shall require a supplemental Formal Application as described in this policy before such modifications are implemented.