ORGANIZATION
10.42
Revised 1-10
International Programs
335-2541
INTRODUCTION
Global participation by faculty, students, and constituencies is essential to the mission of the University for achieving a world-class environment for research, scholarship, graduate education, the arts, and engagement. Providing a broad spectrum for international experience, bridging language barriers, and encouraging the best undergraduate experience in a research university can be accomplished by successful global partnerships.
Through International Agreements (IAs) and Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs), the University can foster a network of students, alumni, teaching and research colleagues, and leaders with experiences, links, and commitments to share in the development of culture and quality education and activities that benefit the University, the state of Washington, and the international community. For a detailed description of agreement types see below.
OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Office of International Programs facilitates and coordinates international agreements including Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and International Agreements (IAs) for the University.
Contact Information
International Programs
Bryan Hall 206
Mail code: 5121
Telephone: 509-335-2541
E-mail: ip.admin.fd@wsu.edu
Website: http://ip.wsu.edu
TYPES OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
A Memorandum of Understanding is a general nonbinding statement of the relationship between the University and colleagues, organizations, and other universities. Completion of a Memorandum of Understanding may be used only to document the first step in the process of establishing diverse activities. However, a MOU may not be used to commit resources nor to commit the University to provide services or activities.
International Agreements (IAs)
An International Agreement is a legally-binding contract that commits the University to provide specific services or activities to a client or in collaboration with colleagues, another university, or organization. NOTE: Depending on the nature or scope of a program, International Programs routes an IA to the Office of Grant and Reseach Development (OGRD), the Office of Business and Finance, and/or the Budget Office for approval. See below.
Examples
Examples of activities documented by IAs include, but are not limited to:
- Global Learning affiliations,
- Student exchanges,
- Faculty exchanges,
- English language training programs,
- Faculty-led study abroad programs,
- Joint degree programs,
- Internships,
- International recruiting agents.
See also below for detailed information about IA examples.
Required Details
An IA must contain details concerning:
- Activities to be carried out,
- Responsibilities,
- Sources of funds and other resources,
- Facilities and administrative costs (see also 40.25) when required by federal law, and
- Timing.
- Approval
Refer to below for approval requirements for IAs.
OTHER AGREEMENT TYPES
This section (10.42) does not apply to the following agreement types.
Business Contracts
Contracts within the authority of the Office of Business and Finance are not processed by International Programs. Refer to 10.10 and 10.11 to process such agreements.
Research and Scholarly Activity Agreements
Research and scholarly activity agreements are processed through OGRD. Refer to Chapter 40 to process such agreements.
SOURCES
MOUs and IAs are generally initiated by:
- WSU faculty.
- The Office of International Programs and units within.
- Foreign institutions or individuals, based upon a desire to establish relationships to meet a specific need or opportunity for which collaborators are sought.
AGREEMENTS INITIATED BY FOREIGN UNIVERSITIES OR ORGANIZATIONS
If departments/units receive a proposed agreement from a foreign university or organization, it is the department's responsibility to determine whether the agreement is in the best interest of the department and college. If so, the department must work with International Programs to determine whether the terms of the agreement are consistent with this policy and other policies governing University contracts.
If the proposed agreement does not meet all the requirements of this section, it must be modified to meet University requirements.
International Programs sends proposed agreements to OGRD, Business and Finance, or the Attorney General's Office when proposed agreements require the review and approval of those offices.
REQUIREMENTS
Each agreement with an organization must include standard information presented in an approved format before an agreement can be finalized.
Each agreement must identify contact persons or units at WSU and at the collaborating international organization with responsibility for conduct of the proposed activities.
International Programs provides established and approved standardized agreement templates for the University. Refer to the following link for current templates:
http://ip.wsu.edu/faculty-and-scholars/international-relationships.html
Check Existing Agreements
International Programs maintains a list of current agreements. Faculty and staff should refer to this list before beginning work on an international agreement. Refer to the following link for the current list:
http://ip.wsu.edu/faculty-and-scholars/international-relationships.html
Retention of Agreements
The Office of International Programs retains the originals of MOUs and copies of IAs. The Office monitors termination dates of all international agreements.
The Controller's Office retains the originals of all IAs.
The named contact individual is responsible for retaining a copy of each agreement and providing a copy to the responsible department or college.
Obtain college/departmental/institutional approval for the IA or MOU on the Internal Approval Form. This form is the last page of the templates (MOUs and IAs) and is for WSU internal use only.
The signatures of the regional campus chancellor (when appropriate), dean, chair (director), and contact person are required. Seek approval from the college financial officer when appropriate.
If the agreement covers more than one college, obtain approval for each college. If the agreement involves the Graduate School, obtain approval from the Graduate School.
After obtaining approval for the responsible colleges and departments, return the agreement by courier or campus mail to International Programs for final University approvals, mail code 5121, Bryan Hall 206. (See chart below and 10.42.7 regarding possible additional approvals.) Allow at least two weeks for completion of the final University approval process.
Refer to the table below to determine approval for specific activities. Note that International Programs routes certain agreements to OGRD, the Office of Business and Finance, and/or the Budget Office, and other appropriate offices as necessary. (See below for possible additional approving offices.) Contact International Programs with questions or to request clarification.
Activity President Provost IP OGRD Business
and
FinanceBudget
OfficeGlobal Learning affiliation ✓ ✓ ✓ Student exchanges using standard template ✓ ✓ Unusual student exchanges ✓ ✓ ✓ Faculty exchanges ✓ ✓ X* ✓ English language training using standard template ✓ ✓ Unusual English language training using standard template ✓ ✓ ✓ Faculty-led study abroad ✓ ✓ ✓ =✓ Joint degree programs ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Internships ✓ ✓ ✓ International research and development grants/contracts X X ✓ X Memorandums of Understanding ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ International recruiting agent agreements ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Sponsored student exchanges ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ Required Approval
X Possible Approval (Contact International Programs for further clarification)
* If extramural funding is involved in the exchange or internship.
After the Vice Provost of International Programs approves the agreement, International Programs in consultation with OGRD and the Office of Business and Finance determines appropriate final University approvals.
The President or his or her designee approves MOUs. The Provost or his or her designee approves IAs.
AGREEMENT CRITERIA
Consider the following criteria when evaluating MOUs or IAs for establishment and/or approval:
- Level of interest of WSU faculty and students;
- Faculty members or units willing to take responsibility for the successful implementation of the agreement;
- Degree to which opportunities benefit outreach and education activities of the University;
- Degree to which the proposed MOU or IA provides global experiences for students, faculty and the University's constituencies;
- Enhancement of the internationalization process;
- Degree to which the proposed MOU or IA creates and/or provides access to resources;
- Degree to which opportunities are provided that are not otherwise available for students, faculty and programs;
- Adherence to academic requirements;
- Degree to which the MOU or IA addresses criteria specific to the participating faculty and units; and
- Ability of the University to meet the obligations, particularly financial obligations, of the the agreement.
Global Learning Student Exchanges, Study Abroad, and Internships
The Global Learning department of International Programs and the appropriate department and college are responsible for establishing, facilitating, and monitoring all student education abroad programs, exchanges, and internships. Contact Global Learning for further information and to access the appropriate agreement templates.
Agreements must address the following:
- Program description;
- Selection of participants;
- Duties of each party;
- Costs, billing, refund and payment procedures;
- Dates of service;
- Emergency preparedness; and
- Insurance and liability.
Additional Approval
In addition to required approvals (see "Final WSU Approval" above), these agreements require the approval of the Director of Global Learning before obtaining the approval of the Vice Provost of International Programs. For more information refer to the following website:
Faculty-led Study Abroad Programs
Departments organizing faculty-led programs are to implement their programs in cooperation with the Global Learning department of International Programs. Departments refer to 10.43 for faculty-led study abroad policies and procedures.
When developing a faculty-led program, a department is to contact Global Learning for assistance at Bryan Hall 105; telephone 509-335-6204. Refer to the following website for more information:
Outreach and Education Activities
This category includes agreements with universities, governments, nongovernmental organizations, corporations, and other partner organizations for the establishment of collaborative relationships, outreach, and education activities. Contact the International Programs Office for assistance and procedures at Bryan Hall 206; telephone 509-335-2541.
Undergraduate and Graduate Degree Programs
This category includes agreements with universities in other countries for the establishment and conduct of collaborative educational programs which result in an undergraduate and/or graduate degree from WSU.
Such degree programs must meet WSU admission and established degree requirements and criteria. This applies to programs to be conducted at WSU and/or at the collaborating university.
In addition to required approvals (see "Final WSU Approval" above), International Programs requires the additional prior approval of any of the following offices when applicable:
- Admissions
- General Education
- Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs
- Dean of the Graduate School
- Business and Finance
- Office of Research/OGRD
- Global Services