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Health, Safety And Legal Issue Workshop

The 2006 - Spring - Health and Safety Workshop will be offered on May 8 at Pepperdine University.  This all-day free workshop is sponsored by: Overseas Security Advisory Council, U.S. Department of State; Consular Affairs, U.S. Department of State; Department of Public Safety, Pepperdine University; Center for Global Education, Loyola Marymount University; University of California Education Abroad; Program Systemwide Office; California State University Office of International Programs; California Colleges for International Education (CCIE); and Southern California Consortium for International Studies (SOCCIS).  The Workshop will be held at Pepperdine University.  Details on Speakers and Registration will be forthcoming.  Due to the size of the room, space is limited for this workshop.  In order to reserve your space, please e-mail Rosalind Raby at rabyrl@aol.com

 

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M - 1 Survey For Community Colleges

Department of Homeland Security officials and SEVIS officials are developing a nationwide policy that all certificates at Community Colleges (and institutions offering certificates) must be issued I-20MN for M-1 status instead of I-20ABs that are issued for F-1 status. M-1 I-20’s not F-1 I-20’s.  During the re-certification process that followed the implementation of SEVIS, some schools were directly informed that they must begin issuing M-1 I-20's or lose their authorization to enroll any international students while other schools were informed not to change anything until an official policy is introduced by DHS.  DHS and SEVIS officials have stated that they want to receive input from schools on the issue of certificates. In discussing the matter with DHS and SEVIS officials it has become apparent to many schools that SEVIS and DHS officials are not aware of all of the academic issues regarding certificates and are not in a position to make informed decisions about certificates. SEVIS and DHS officials are not educators and are not involved in academic issues on a daily basis. If these officials do not hear from community colleges, they are likely to interpret existing regulations in a manner that prevents all two-year institutions (and others who confer certificates) from offering any certificate programs as F-1. Also, as community colleges are feeder schools for bachelor degree programs this issue is extremely important for bachelor programs.

A team of community college representatives will be made to address the issues with DHS and SEVIS before they take the lead and mandate a policy that is not in the best interests of community colleges or their students.

Please complete a short, one-page survey, regarding the types of programs you offer as M - 1 and F-1.  Please complete the survey by March 14.  Access the survey at http://www.dvc.edu/isas/m1survey.htm or at www.bapier.com.  Please return the survey to Arthur Levine at Foothill College at levinearthur@foothill.edu or (650) 949-7162.

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The Forum Pilots Standards Of Conduct For Study Abroad Programs With 10 CCIE Colleges Participating

 The Forum’s Standards of Good Practice represents the product of over three years of collaboration and reflects the input and shared vision of study abroad professionals from around the world. The Justice Department, Anti-Trust Division has designated The Forum as a standards development organization (SDO) to develop standards for the education abroad profession in the U.S..  What the reader will not find in the Standards are simplistic solutions to the myriad complex challenges inherent in international education.  The Forum affirms that there are certain basic principles that ought to be accepted without question by study abroad practitioners and programs and these include: a) providing students with clear information and goals for a program; b) non-discrimination; c) strong and careful financial management; d) the need for a plan for academic oversight; e) attention to safety in planning and d) observance the U.S. and host country laws.  The Forum recognizes that the is not a “one-size fitsall” answer and that it makes no sense to impose monolithic standards on all international programs.  Throughout 2006, field tests of the Standards will be conducted on colleges, universities and providers both in the U.S. and abroad.  The only community colleges nationwide that are participanting are 10 CCIE member colleges: Butte; College of the Canyons; Contra Costa District; Fullerton: Glendale; Los Angeles Valley; Los Rios District; Mt. San Antonio; San Diego; and West Valley.  It is anticipated that a Standards of Best Practice will be developed as a result of this year-long project.

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CCIE To Sign MOU With Soonchunhyang University In Korea

A MOU between CCIE and Soonchunhyang University in Korea was signed in early March to promote friendship and cooperation through a mutually beneficial association and in the interests of expanding educational opportunities.  The MOU will facilitate the sending of CCIE member college students to Korea for a 1 semester study abroad program.  CCIE has been sending students on this study abroad program since Spring Semester 2005.  A total of 23 students from 9 colleges have received scholarships that include airfare reimbursement (up to $800); tuition; room; and a monthly living stipend.  The experience for all has been extremely positive.  CCIE now hopes to be able to bring up to 5 Korean students to study for 1 semester at CCIE colleges starting in Fall 2006.

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Seeking CCIE Colleges To Participate In Exchange Program With Soonchunhyang University In Korea

CCIE will begin it’s 1^st full exchange program with Soonchunhyang University in Fall, 2006.  The stipulations of the exchange are:

a) All students will remain enrolled as regular degree candidates at the home institution and pay regular tuition and student fees to the home institution

            b) All students must maintain full-time status while at the host institution

c) Application fees will be waived

            d) Students will pay for their own books and materials.

e) The Host institution will find, arrange, and cover the costs for the  accommodation in dorms, homestays or other locations. 

            f) Students will provide their own health insurance and visa requirements

Each CCIE member college will accept one or two Korean students each semester.  Students will take ESL and basic English courses.  For those CCIE colleges that do not offer I-20s, the Korean students will enroll in academic classes to receive their F-1 visa.

If your college is interested in accepting one or two Korean students for study for Fall Semester 2006 or Spring Semester 2007, please contact Rosalind at rabyrl@aol.com

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