International and Domestic Off-Campus Studies Committee
Minutes of the Wednesday, March 14, 2007 IDOCS meeting at 3:30 p.m. in BC146
Present: Solveig Zempel (IGS Dean Representative), Eric Lund (IOS Director), Karil Kucera (IDOCS committee Member), Jeane Delaney (IDOCS Chair), Kris MacPherson (IDOCS committee member), Dona Freeman (IDOCS committee member), Cate Redman (Student), Kelin Loe (Student), (Registrar's Representative), (Institutional Research & Planning Representitive).
- February 28th, 2007 Minutes reviewed and approved.
- Report by the Director of IOS
- Review interview process continues
- Receiving fewer applications this year
- Currently sketching out funding and fee structures, and looking at alternative models. There was in increase in funding to IOS, and IOS is considering a new cost calculation system. Perhaps this will affect the cost of transportation and housing, or the cost of a program’s tuition. Some programs will be significantly affected; most will enjoy a cost decrease. More to be discussed at the next meeting.
- Encourages committee members to attend the global events around campus
- At this point the committee also discussed registration issues. Students are being asked to register for classes before they know their abroad plans.
- Program reviews
- Bogazici University Program (pilot to full status consideration)
- Received four applications for next year
- Program allows students to experience the upper-class society, which is English-speaking and more westernized.
- Committee discussed the issues of balance, as more of our students visit Turkey than Turkish students Northfield. Most foreign students gravitate to the large research universities. Perhaps we could change this program into a direct enroll program? Perhaps we could restructure it to resemble Term in China, encouraging professors to study at St. Olaf and sending students to Turkey?
- Program accepted as a full status program.
- American University Cairo Program (pilot to full status consideration )
- Very similar to previous program.
- Arabic language classes may be taken before the start of each semester, and also as part or their course load.
- Has a wide range of courses to offer.
- Located in downtown Cairo, which isn’t a very safe environment.
- A lot of pressure on housing in the fall, as most students study aboard then. Generally, full-year students live on campus first semester, then find an apartment for their second semester.
- Program accepted as a full status program.
- Meeting adjourned.
