International Committee Year-End Report 2005/2006

International Committee
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

The CALS International Committee was expanded in 2005/2006 to deal with the recommendations from the 2004/2005 International Task Force and to include representation from every department. See annex 1 for committee members.

The full committee met seven times. Members also met in the following subcommittees: (1) Recognition and Rewards for Faculty and Staff International Activities; (2) Student Needs; (3) Departmental Activities; (4) CALS International Programs Activities; (5) Monitoring Progress; and (6) Incoming International Students, Postdocs, and Visiting Scholars. In addition, within their own departments, committee members formed small departmental international committees to advance department-specific issues.

Accomplishments

The International Committee undertook a number of activities directly and also met with others who could advance the internationalization agenda. These efforts had the following results:

1. Defining the Global Student. -- Four levels of global competence were defined: Basic - for all CALS students; Moderate - recognized by a CALS certificate to be developed; Intermediate - recognized by the current CALS International BS; and Advanced - recognized by a university certificate (that appears on the transcript) to be developed. Criteria for the different levels are based on language ability, internationally-focused courses taken; duration and nature of study abroad experience; and related independent work. See annex 2.
   
2. Study Abroad Scholarships. -- The CALS Scholarship Committee dedicated $10,000 per year to study abroad scholarships on a pilot basis for three years. The UW Foundation and the Dean agreed to dedicate one account generating approximately $20,000 per year on a continuing basis to study abroad scholarships. The Daughters of Demeter continues to support study abroad scholarships as does a new private donor. A donor has set up an endowment generating about $2,500 per year for international experiences for Agronomy undergraduates. Talks are underway with other potential donors.
   
3. Vision Statement. -- A Global Vision for CALS was developed with sections specific to students, faculty and staff, international students and scholars, stakeholders, and the Wisconsin Idea. See annex 3.
   
4. International Excellence Award. -- An award for faculty or staff was defined by the committee and approved by the CALS Executive Committee contingent on raising funds to allow a monetary component to the award. See annex 4.
   
5. Departmental Initiatives. -- A set of recommendations were developed for departments to consider as ways to accelerate their internationalization. Departmental international committees were created in most departments. Departments have taken action or initiated discussions on adding an international section to the annual faculty activity report for merit/tenure consideration, adding international language in PVLs, increasing international content in courses, identifying departmental scholarships for study abroad, finding international partners for more intensive linkages, engaging student clubs, developing course roadmaps to facilitate study abroad, engaging international students, and more. See annex 5.
   
6. Web Site. -- The International Programs web site has been revised and a link to it has been placed on the CALS home page. A major new section has been added listing international collaborations, a new page has been added listing services that the office can offer faculty and staff, the study abroad section has been expanded and revised, and a new section on funding is in preparation. See http://www.cals.wisc.edu/IP/index.html
   
7. International Academic Affairs Oversight – The Committee carried out normal oversight of the international BS degree, the college-wide international studies course requirement, and approval of individual student international experience for meeting the requirements of the international degree.

Next Steps

The committee decided to maintain the expanded membership, in part, in order to facilitate and energize activity in each department. The first meeting in fall of 2006 will set priorities for the year. Annex 6 contains three interrelated lists of activities the committee might consider for action in 2006/2007. Some of these have already been completed, and others may be added by the committee.

 

ANNEX 1

Interational Committee
2005/2006
College of Agricultural and Life Sciences

Members

Albrecht, Kenneth – Agronomy
Bloch, Peter – Forest Ecology and Management
Baumgartner, Sharon – International Programs
Bonhoff, David – Biological Systems Engineering
Carter, Michael – Agricultural and Applied Economics
Ferrick, John – International Programs
Filutowicz, Marcin - Bacteriology
Hammer, Roger – Rural Sociology
Harrington, John – Landscape Architecture
Heinrich, Michael – Student
Jacobs, Harvey – Urban and Regional Planning
Jensen, Janine – Academic Student Affairs
Karasov, William – Wildlife Ecology
Meiller, Larry – Life Science Communication
Simon, Philipp – Horticulture
Nielsen, Karen – International Programs
Nitzke, Susan – Nutritional Sciences
Paskewitz, Susan – Entomology
Posner, Joshua – Agronomy
Powell, J. Mark – Soil Science
Bloch, Peter – Forest Ecology and Management
Rankin, Scott – Food Science
Ray, Robert – Academic Student Affairs
Reznikoff, William – Biochemistry (Chair)
Ruegg, Pamela – Dairy Science
Shumow, Laura – Student
Simon, Phillipp - Horticulture
Steigert, Kyle – Agricultural and Applied Economics
Stevenson, Walter – Plant pathology
Thomas, David – Animal Sciences
Wong, Amy – Food Microbiology and Toxicology

Ex- Officio

Barrows, Richard – Academic Student Affairs
Shapiro, Kenneth – International Programs

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ANNEX 2

Defining Global Students

Basic: All students within CALS are expected to have the following by the time they graduate:

l. Complete CALS foreign language requirements.

2. Complete at least one international studies course from a list provided by
CALS.

3. Learn differences among countries or global regions related to the major.

Students would gain this knowledge through standard courses provided by the major department or through independent study under faculty direction.

Moderate: Students with this level of proficiency would be eligible to receive a CALS International Studies Certificate.

• Complete CALS foreign language requirements.
  

• Complete at least six credits of international studies courses from a Course list provided by CALS.
  

• Have knowledge of cultural differences and attitudes and would have demonstrated this knowledge through paper(s) and/or presentation(s).
  

• Participate in a minimum of two weeks spent on a study abroad program or internship in another country. It must be preceded or followed by a course relating to that country or its region. The student might choose one, two-week tour or might choose two tours of a week or more.
  

Intermediate: Students completing this level of proficiency could receive the CALS International Agriculture/Natural Resources Degree.

• Students must take or pass out of one language skills course beyond the CALS minimum.

• Complete at least 12 credits of international study courses from a list provided by CALS.
  

• Conduct an in depth study of a country or region (could be completed through coursework or study abroad).
  

• While enrolled as a student, study or work in another country or region for at least eight weeks. Work would have to have some relationship to the student’s major.
  

• Prepare a report on the student’s experiences in the country visited

Advanced: Students completing this level of proficiency would be eligible for a University level Certificate in International Agriculture, Natural Resources or
Natural Sciences.

• Be fluent in a second language, as certified by the appropriate language department.
  

• Complete at least 17 credits of study courses from a list provided by CALS
  

• Have advanced knowledge of the culture, economy, government and the student’s discipline in another country relating to agriculture, natural resources or natural sciences. Would have to be demonstrated through paper(s) and/or presentation(s)
  

• While enrolled as a student, spend at least four months studying and/or working in another country or region. If work, it must be work relating to the major in some fashion.
  

5. Prepare a report on the student’s experiences in the country visited.

 

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May, 2006

ANNEX 3

A Global Vision for Accelerating Internationalization
in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences
University of Wisconsin-Madison

CALS: A BRIDGE TO THE WORLD
 

CALS will be a bridge to the world for...

STUDENTS: International learning will be an integral part of a CALS education.

• Students will expect to have an opportunity and be encouraged by faculty and higher administration to learn abroad as part of their curriculum, and they will be able to take courses on campus that focus on international issues.
  

• CALS professors will have international experience and will relate their discipline to international issues.
  

• Every department (or cluster of related departments) will contribute to study abroad programs related to its discipline.
  

• Students will have access to financial support and academic counseling to achieve an international education.
  

• High school students and their parents will be attracted to CALS because of CALS’ international learning opportunities.
  

• Upon graduation, students will have a broader global perspective in their scholarly development.
  
  

FACULTY AND STAFF: International activities will be encouraged, rewarded, and facilitated.
 

• Faculty and staff will expect to have opportunities and be encouraged to participate in international activities throughout their careers, including international research and teaching collaboration, leading student programs abroad, and researching topics in other countries.
  

• CALS will offer financial and logistic support and will help faculty and staff secure outside funding for such activities.
  

• The strength of an individual’s international portfolio will be an important factor in hiring, promotion, and merit salary increases.
  

• Faculty and staff will be attracted to careers in CALS because of its global dimensions, and CALS will actively seek such individuals.
  

 
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND SCHOLARS: Visiting students and scholars will be an integral part of the CALS community and educational experience.

• CALS will help international students and scholars participate fully in campus life and the broader Madison community.
  

• International students and scholars will have opportunities to enrich academic and cultural learning on campus and in the community.
  

STAKEHOLDERS: CALS will work with stakeholders to provide information about and connections to other countries.

• Wisconsin citizens, businesses, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations will look to CALS for leadership, assistance and the latest information when they wish to expand their activities and make connections around the world.
  

• Businesses, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations will look to CALS to provide potential employees with global educations.
  

• Businesses, governmental agencies, and non-governmental organizations will work with CALS to help provide more venues for international educational experiences for students and scholarly activities for faculty and staff.
  

• CALS will help Wisconsin residents and its other stakeholders be informed global citizens.
  
  

THE WISCONSIN IDEA: CALS will be a bridge to the world by taking the Wisconsin Idea international. With stronger partnerships between CALS and communities outside of the US, CALS will be better prepared to assist in addressing critical needs identified by those communities.
 

• Great universities have an obligation to address the great challenges of the day. This includes helping to lift the burdens of poverty, hunger and disease that disproportionately affect rural residents in poor countries. it also includes natural resource and climate change issues that impact the health and vitality of our environment. These challenges are especially germane to CALS, with its great strengths in rural development, agriculture, human health, biological sciences, natural resources, food and nutrition.
  
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ANNEX 4
International Award – Call for Nominations

TO: CALS Department Chairs

FROM: <first name> <last name>, Chair

CALS International Awards Committee

RE: Nominations for 2006 International Award

We are requesting nominations for the CALS Award for excellence in international activities. One award of $x,xxx will be given to honor an outstanding faculty or academic staff member engaged in international research, instruction, outreach, program development, or service. The award will be presented at the CALS Awards banquet on mm/dd/yyyy.

 Nomination materials should include the following:

(1) a transmittal letter summarizing the significance of the nominee’s contributions to international activities .

(2) a current curriculum vitae

(3) a summary document (3 pages or less) that lists and/or describes the candidate's accomplishments in international research, instruction, outreach, program development, or service. This document could cite journal articles, book chapters, invited seminars, outreach publications and presentations, grant funding, commendations and awards, course descriptions, details about contributions to an international program, or other international activities.

(4) optionally, up to three supporting documents such as letters of support, teaching assessments, program pamphlets, etc. can be included.

Eligibility:

Faculty and Academic Staff who hold appointments in a disciplinary department, center, or institute in CALS. One faculty and one academic staff nominee may be nominated per unit. International Programs staff members are not eligible.

Selection Criteria:

Nominations will be reviewed by a committee appointed by the Dean. Award recipients will be selected based on their overall contribution to further CALS's mission in promoting international learning, research, and outreach among its students, staff, and faculty and the global community.

Deadline:

Six (6) complete sets of nomination documents should be forwarded to <first name> <last name>, CALS International Awards Committee Chair, <office #> <bldg name>, by MM/DD/YYYY to be considered. Please call (xxx-xxxx) or email (name@wisc.edu) if you have questions.

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ANNEX 5

 DEPARTMENT REPORTS

  Agronomy

1. Tried unsuccessfully to include wording suggesting that the Department encourages candidates with international experience and rewards faculty for developing international links in PVL’s

2. Modified the Annual Professional Activities Report to include a section allowing faculty and staff to ‘ their international activities and include activities that did were not mentioned elsewhere.

3. Was able to include in the annual capstone course questionnaire a question on the preparedness of the Agronomy Majors to understand and respond to issues in international agriculture.

 

Animal Sciences

1. The statement: "Interest or experience in the international dimensions of the discipline is desirable" was included in the PVL for the last faculty position hired in Animal Sciences.  This, or a similar statement, will be included in future PVLs from Animal Sciences.

2. Volunteers were solicited to form a temporary committee to discuss ways to increase or highlight international activities in the Department of Animal Sciences.  Three faculty volunteered but did not meet in 2005-06.  It is hoped that the committee will convene in 2006-07.
 

Biochemistry

1. The Department established an ad hoc committee including Professors Fox, Ntambi and Reznikoff.

2. The Department approved a modification of its annual merit and post tenure review guidelines to include international activities as a criterion that faculty could address.

3. The very successful Uganda program led by Professor Ntambi (and including faculty from Nutritional Sciences) continued for the winter intersession this year.

4. The faculty has investigated several formal institution to institution programs such as the following:

Peking Universtiy - This was not successful

Freiburg University, Dept. of Biochemistry - This is a proposed exchange program for graduate students. The Department has agreed to be a US partner institution. The final decision on this arrangement is contingent on the Dept. of Biochemistry at Freiburg University being successful in its application for a German government grant.

Oxford and Cambridge Universities - This is a proposed undergraduate program through which 5 to 6 Madison students would participate in summer research projects. This is being organized by Profs. Wickens and Reznikoff. The Oxford I Cambridge departments have agreed to the program. A proposal to the NSF for funds will be submitted this summer.

5. The Department has worked with the University of Wisconsin Foundation to obtain undergraduate scholarship funds that could be used to support study abroad activities. We are waiting to hear about the request.

 

Biological Systems Engineering

Summary of presentation to faculty meeting January 5, 2006.

Opportunities

Invite undergraduate students as an assistant with a faculty traveling on a USAID, USDA. or other funded international educational trip.

Department can promote Peace Corps opportunities in the study area of a department. Invite international students for a study trip, with possible work as a TA helper.

Provide faculty an international opportunity though sabbatical or other study trip to meet and make personal contacts with international faculty to develop possible collaborative teaching opportunities.

Provide connections for students with international colleagues.

Develop Web based courses in collaboration with an international faculty in comparative department which would be available to students from both campuses. For example a senior design project or introductory engineering course like EPD 160.

Promote lecture opportunities in the department that present an international students country. background, and culture. Examples might be lunch brown bag seminars or course lectures offered and advertised to all faculty and students.

Promote lecture opportunities in the department that present a faculty’s international experience including their perception of the country and culture. Examples might be lunch brown bag seminars or course lectures offered and advertised to all faculty and students.

Track past and future international student graduates to provide possible future contact and collaboration for undergraduate students.

Identify potential financial support within a department’s scholarships for undergraduate student international study trips.

Situation

In a time of budget reductions the priority of international experiences for students may not he a high priority as compared to the basic educational needs the department is trying to provide.

Note 1: Setting aside an undergraduate scholarship was also discussed when this report was given.

Note 2: Retiring professor with strong Thailand connections may be able to spend time developing exchange program.

 

Entomology

1.  Established an ad hoc committee which has met to prioritize issues. 

2.  Begun polling faculty to determine the international aspects of our
graduate and undergraduate curriculums.

3.  Added a section to the Annual Activities reports for information
about international activities.

4.  Discussed an international experience as a possible capstone for
undergraduates.

5.  Discussed fund raising to provide support for undergraduate
international experiences.

6.  Supported a visit and seminar by a researcher from England with
interests in global health.

 

Forest Ecology and Management

1. Bill Reznikoff attended a department meeting in the fall to explain the Committee’s activities and to express the Committee’s hope that the Department would increase the international components of its curriculum.
   

1. Peter Bloch met with the Forestry Club in February to a) offer to be a conduit for information on international activities, and b) encourage the Club to come up with international activities (such as the 19¢ per day initiative).
   

1. An ad hoc international committee was established (Langston, Radeloff, Buongiorno, Bloch). It met once in March, briefly and without everyone present. It identified the most important issue as being the provision of international internship/summer job experiences for undergraduates. It has not, however, followed through on this.
   

1. Peter Bloch presented the Study Abroad “road map” model from UM-TC to the Chair, Ray Guries, who took it under advisement. Guries noted that a) FE&M is not considered as a “biology” department, and b) there are not really any curricular obstacles to study abroad in FE&M. Many FE&M students have participated in semester-long or year long study abroad programs, often through the campus IAP office rather than CALS. Students often seek opportunities in places that CALS does not. The issue that will be raised next, however, is that because advising is dispersed among a number of faculty members there could be a very uneven message being given, not only about the possibility of study abroad, but even of its desirability.
   

1. Peter Bloch initiated, but has not completed, an inventory of current and recent international graduate students, post-docs, and visiting scholars.
   

1. Volker Radeloff and Peter Bloch received a grant from the Center for German and European Studies for a research collaborative with colleagues at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. The collaborative consists of an interdisciplinary seminar entitled “ Eastern Europe in Transition: Property Relations and Society.” Other faculty include Steve Ventura of Soil Science, Bob Kaiser of Geography, and two UM-TC colleagues.
   

1. It should be noted that FE&M has had an International Activities section of its Personnel Report since the 1990’s at least. Many faculty do have international research activities but most do not involve undergraduate students.

 

Horticulture

Some progress toward recognizing, rewarding, and generally furthering international activities in the horticulture has been made. I spoke to the faculty and staff at a departmental meeting January 6 about our CALS committee activities. Discussion that followed revealed a strong interest in international research by many faculty and active one-on-one international research projects by several. There was a strong positive response to CALS expanding and initiating the actions that our CALS committee has discussed, citing an openness to responding to more proactive international “team-building” led by CALS both among CALS and other UW faculty, and with current or potential international collaborators.

As is usual in discussions like these, information about funds to do this was of prime interest. Most of the ongoing international activities are apparently funded by gifi funds and grants allowing hiring international on-campus researchers, so funds to sustain our international activities by bringing funds to our international collaborators in their home countries would be well-appreciated.

Several faculty had been approached by international collaborators to find out about establishing bilateral memoranda of understanding or other agreements between their home institution and CALS to more officially recognize collaboration. Even without funds to support such agreements they apparently are useful in recognizing an institutional partnership that for them allows easier travel and collaboration. It seems that if CALS is open to enacting this type of agreement, several may be initiated.

International instructional activities received some discussion. The need to discuss the possibility of international time abroad to undergrads early in their time here was noted as vital to actually identi1 students to participate in this experience. It was noted that this becomes nearly impossible for transfer students. The participation of Horticulture Club undergrads in winter break travel to Central America, being led in recent years by Jim Nienhuis, is recognized as a well-appreciated short term international experience for our students. International graduate activities are of interest but have been rare because of extra funds necessary to make them happen. The international M.S. degree was viewed as particularly difficult to initiate because few graduate research projects justif the extra expense of projects requiring students to travel abroad to successfully complete projects we are involved in.

 

Landscape Architecture

International Program Activities and Goals; DRAFT 5-1-06 Further discussion pending

1. Recognize and reward faculty international activity

a. International activities in scholarship, teaching and service will be recognized in merit increase exercises similar to other activities in those categories.

b. Untenured faculty will be encouraged to participate in international activities as relevant to their scholarship and instructional activities

c. Add to PVLs, when appropriate, “Candidates with experience with or desire to develop international programs and/or collaborations are encouraged to apply.”

d. International activities will be given due emphasis in tenure dossiers.

 

2. Identify partner institutions in other countries for student study, research and internships

a. The Department will make a concerted effort over the next 6 months to identify potential partner institutions for student study, research and internships. Some potential institutional collaborations include the University at Guelph and the University of Florence, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Arizona State University, Iowa State University.

b. The Department will assign faculty to explore potential partnerships through IFLA (International Federation of Landscape Architects) during its Fall 2006 meeting in Minneapolis

3. Identify partner institutions in other countries for Faculty study, research and internships

a. Faculty will be encouraged to develop long-term research collaborations with partner institutions in other countries

b. Faculty efforts in international studies will be given equal merit considerations to other scholarship activities

4. Develop Departmental options for both short-term and long-term study abroad program. These options may include partnerships with other institutions’ programs.

5. Review and expand international content of courses as appropriate.

a. Courses that currently have an international component include: LA 260 (Landscape History), 365 (Planting Design), 375 (Urban Ecology Seminar), several others use international examples—LA 451 (Open Space Design), L 250 (Intro to Landscape Architecture).

b. During the next 4 months Faculty will explore the potential for introducing additional international components into their courses. Suggested, but not confirmed: The next department retreat will designate ½-day to review international components within all department-required courses.

6. Bring in or co-sponsor one international speaker each academic year. Such speakers should have affiliation with the discipline. Realistically, this may not be feasible every year, however, the Department will attempt to work with other units to achieve this goal and will seek to highly publicize international talks on campus to our student body.

7. Consider expanding the undergraduate program to 4.5 years with the additional requirement that students participate in either a long-term (minimum of one semester) study abroad or long-term internship program. These will replace the professional breadth courses. Such an extension has long been under discussion as more landscape architecture programs move toward 5-year professional degree programs. Our resources to not allow such a move but the 4.5-year program might be achievable with only limited additional resources. We propose that this be a major topic at the next department retreat.

3 POSSIBLE SCHEDULES

1		2		3
Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring	Fall	Spring
201	262	201	262	201	262
250	312	250	312	250	312
261	353	261	353	261	353
263	365	263	365	263	365
354	450	354	450	354	Abroad
351	550	351	375	351
Abroad	610	Abroad	610	450	610
	375		550	550	375
551		551		551

 

8. Establish a departmental scholarship fund for students seeking study abroad experience. The committee suggests that ten $500 scholarships be made available, given sufficient Foundation funds (not the case at present). Priority for funding will be given to programs originating within the Department and will initially be awarded on a need basis.

9. Devote time within an upcoming faculty meeting to review the proposed (revisions) for the college international certificate and degree programs and ask that advisors communicate these international options to students as they develop.

 

10. Identify companies and federal agencies close to the department or its activities that have international interests and inform students of any internship and employment opportunities they may have. Keep an information board open for international opportunities.

 

11. Develop a curriculum road map to help students who may wish to study abroad. # 10 should proceed with or without #7.

 

12. Develop a mechanism to meet and advise students early enough in their programs so they can realistically consider study abroad. This might be done in the advising sessions or could be implemented in one or more evening presentations. The latter would be less likely to reach all students, but if advertised those students with strong interest would likely attend.

 

Life Science Communication

Among our last five hires we a have faculty member from Columbia, one from China, one from Australia, and two faculty members who are Native Americans., We have internationalized our faculty and will continue to recruit international faculty members or those with an international interest. This will always be a part of any position description we send out.

Hernando Gonzalez of our faculty is altering one of our undergraduate courses to give it a strong international emphasis. This course is LSC 340 “Communication Technologies and their Social Effects.” In the past we have not had an undergraduate course address international issues directly.

We have changed one of our scholarships so that it will go to students from our department who will be studying or interning abroad. We will probably add another international scholarship as well.

We are asking our faculty advisors to make it a priority to tell advisees about international opportunities and to encourage participation.

We will be willing to begin classes each semester with a short mention about international opportunities for students and provide them with the website for CALS international opportunities.

We will continue to offer the LSC 375 class for any CALS student involved in the UW/University of the West lndies student term abroad program

We will continue to have an “International Supper” where students and faculty bring favorite international dishes to an evening social.

 

Nutritional Sciences

Possibilities for expanded international activities were discussed at
the Nutritional Sciences faculty/staff meeting on Feb. 21, 2006.
Susan Nitzke distributed a list of possible activities and led a
discussion of what our department could do to provide additional
emphasis  to this area.  The areas chosen for further activities are:

- develop continuing, short-term study abroad program

- develop curriculum maps to help students schedule study abroad

 

Other continuing/ongoing activities include:

- Nutritional Sciences is participating in the Unganda/CALS partnership
activities.

- N.S. is one of the departments sponsoring the interdepartmental course on world hunger and malnutrition.

- Several faculty (Smith, Tanumihardjo, Ntambi, et al) are working with
students and/or visiting scientists from other countries. 

 Example: Hermann Sorgho from the Institut de Recherche in Burkina Faso
presented a seminar on "Humoral immune impact of zinc and vitamin A supplementation against defined Plasmodium falciparum antigens" in our department seminar series on April 21. 

Dr. Sorgho is a visiting scholar in Sherry Tanumihardjo's lab.

 

Plant Pathology

1. The Plant Pathology Department has established an ad hoc International Committee with the goal of promoting and expediting international programming in our department.

2. The Department plans to catalogue current and past international programming efforts by our faculty, staff and students. The sense is that putting this information on our departmental web page and linking this with the CALS International web site would help the department attract additional high quality international students, faculty and staff.

3. The Department will add a standalone section to the annual Professional Activity Summary that will help faculty and staff summarize their international activities – teaching, research, extension, outreach, participation in international events and activities.

4. We plan to incorporate international activities into our departmental teaching and seminar series. For starters, we have set a goal of one colloquium or seminar per year focusing on an international authority. This could be expanded to one invited seminar per semester as a way to encourage international efforts within the department.

5. We’ve also discussed travel issues that may be limiting international endeavors including booking tickets, timely reimbursement, paying for overseas events such as workshops, meals and lodging for attendees. We are in the process of developing effective solutions to these issues and hopefully these remedies will be in place soon.

 

Wildlife Ecology

The issue of internationalization was discussed at the faculty meeting in April 2006. Bill Karasov briefly reviewed the history (e.g., Task Force in 2005; committee this year) and passed out two lists of suggestions for departments to increase internationalization.

Several faculty members pointed out that the Wildlife Ecology Department has participated in several initiatives in this regard. These include

• development of an ongoing semester-abroad program in Trinidad, which includes natural resources courses that apply towards curricular requirements here at UW-Madison
• development of an ongoing capstone experience, offered every other year (WL Ecol 375 – Topic: Natural Natural Resource Management and Conservation in West Mexico 1)
• primary instruction in a course (Agronomy 375) on Sustainable Development in Costa Rica (offered 2002-02).
• Many faculty members have research programs with international components
• Annual activities reports include a category for recording international activities

Faculty pointed out that many of these programs have been difficult to sustain (#2, above) or failed (#3, above) because of lack of resources above what we already were putting in. Several years ago the Department partially supported, with Dept. funds, Dr. Eduardo Santana, our Mexican collaborator for the West Mexico course, so that he could help the Department raise funds for the West Mexico course. Eduardo’s report was used by the Task Force. Despite a good effort on Eduardo’s part, additional funds were very difficult to come by. The Costa Rica course, listed above, was terminated because of lack of funds.

Several faculty felt that whereas the desire for increased internationalization was laudable, without a commitment of funds from the University or the College not much was going to get done. Several faculty in the Department favor developing more exchanges with Universidad Nacional in Costa Rica, where we have connections, but funding is required and none of the faculty have time to devote to this effort.

The Faculty discussed whether one of the Departmental student scholarship/awards might be earmarked for an international experience for an undergraduate. A motion was raised and passed that the Chair discuss with one of the primary donors of award/scholarship money whether this would be acceptable. If approved by the donor, then the intent would be to advertise and encourage qualified students to apply for a $1000 award to support their international experience. However, the donor rejected any changes in the Awards as they now stand. They certainly would not discourage an international component for a student who otherwise meets their criteria, but they are unwilling to link such a component in any way to receipt of the Award.

_____________________________________________________________________________

1 WL Ecol 375 – Topic: Natural Natural Resource Management and Conservation in West Mexico – This interdisciplinary course consists of three parts: a weekly lecture/discussion seminar in Fall, a two-week field course during the winter break with time for write-up and discussion during the Spring. The field portion takes place in the south coast of the State of Jalisco and the State of Colima, near the Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve. Topics of discussion include: strategies for biodiversity conservation in North America, international linkages in wildlife conservation, tropical ecology, management of protected areas, coastal zone management, rural development and wildlife conservation in developing countries, indigenous communities and conservation, demographic, socio-economic and political processes affecting natural resource conservation in Mexico.

Fall Seminar : 2 credits, 2-hour weekly lecture and discussion session based on readings.

Spring Seminar : 2 credits, 2 week field trip to West Mexico (two weeks in January, beginning after Jan. 1 and ending before the first day of spring semester). Upon returning to WI, students will work on their group or individual paper and presentation of trip project and trip experience.

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ANNEX 6 – NEXT STEPS:

THREE LISTS OF POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES FOR 2006/2007
 

I. Putting the Task Force Report into Action

1. Provide Information

• Provide funding information/ Find external funding sources for international research
• Provide job information
• Improve web site
• Improve information; be one-stop shop
  

2. Help Faculty

• Help more “customers” with travel, visas, housing, etc.
• Help more customers with proposal preparation
• Help more customers with project management
  

3. Involve New Faculty

• Orient new faculty
• Meet with all new faculty about IP services and start up funding
• Start up package of travel funds – with reporting
  

4. Recognize and Reward Faculty

• Allocate % of merit for international work (Dean’s add or dept. %)

• International qualifications in PVL for faculty
• International activity part of all faculty annual report
• International activity part of tenure decision
• International activity part of merit salary criteria

5. Develop Global Students

• Increase student requirement for international courses
• New international course for all (?) freshmen (sophomores?)
• Define and assess student global competency
• Department guide sheet – road map that includes study abroad
• International certificate
• Require international experience of all students (business)
  

6. Stimulate Departmental Ownership

• Department develop own strategy to internationalize and what need from IP
• Departments develop own international expectations of faculty and students
• Meet with each department
• Identify sites for each departments’ international collaboration
• Help departments develop collaboration with their selected sites
• Departments develop own study abroad programs
• Departments use their scholarship funds for study abroad
• Give departments incentives to internationalize
• Departments raise money for their international activities
  

7. Articulate Leadership

• Create a vision that the Dean will buy into
• Communicate international vision
• Recognize obligation to help poor in other countries
• CALS Exec. Comm. stress international
• Dean meet with faculty and business about international
• Dean encourage departments to take ownership
  

8. Enhance Campus Culture

• Events to highlight international issues and CALS activities
• Roundtables with inside and outside speakers to generate interest
• Be proactive – “We’re international and here’s why”
  

9. Connect with Private Sector

• Create external advisory committee
• Get “big people” on our external advisory committee
• Have at least one Board of Visitors member who champions international
• Work with Office of Corporate Relations
• Develop plan with UW Foundation
• Use Foundation and WAA international people
  

10. Raise Money

• Develop process with Foundation for faculty to get their help

• Send UW Foundation person abroad
• Have high profile events
• Work with WALSAA and WAA
• Have e.g. 1.5 hours of Board of Visitors meeting devoted to international
• Joint fund raising – campus-wide

 

II. Possible Subcommittee Tasks/Goals 2005/6

(These tasks/goals were drawn from the Task Force report and the “Putting the Task Force Report into Action” document. Each subcommittee should decide on its own final agenda of activities and priorities. The following lists are offered to help that process.)

 

Recognition and Rewards for Faculty and Staff International Activities

1. Insert language in PVLs stating that international interest/experience is desirable
2. Institute recognition in merit pay exercise

- a criterion in each department’s merit exercise?

- Dean’s pool?

1. Institute recognition in tenure and promotion criteria
2. Develop annual award for excellence in international activities
3. Include international activities report as part of faculty annual report
4. Provide funding information

Student Needs

1. Provide “oversight of the International BS, study abroad, college-wide international studies course requirement, and … approval of international student experience (Second charge to Committee)
2. Develop model of global students

- define and assess student global competency

1. Develop a course for freshmen and sophomores that considers international issues in ag and life sciences and meets international course requirement
2. Provide students with funding and job information
3. Develop departmental “road maps” to help students include study abroad in their programs
4. Consider development of an international certificate
5. Reconsider international requirements
6. Obtain scholarship funding
7. Create student organization for those with international interests

 

Departmental Activities

1. Establish incentives and opportunities for departments to develop integrated study abroad or other international opportunities for their undergraduates
2. Help departments develop reward criteria for merit and promotion
3. Fine-tune global student criteria for each department
4. Obtain departmental scholarships for study abroad
5. Help departments develop their private sector international partners
6. Help each department develop its own comprehensive international strategy
7. Help departments identify key international institutional partners and/or sites
8. Help departments develop their expectations for faculty international activities

 

CALS International Programs Activities

1. Identify funding sources for faculty and staff
2. Obtain funding for students
3. Develop procedure for faculty to approach UW Foundation for funding
4. Develop website as portal for international information

- best practices

- success stories

- current international activities in CALS

- opportunities for international engagement

1. Consider designation of “International Faculty”
2. Help MORE faculty “customers with travel, visas, housing, etc
3. Help MORE faculty “customers” with proposal preparation
4. Help MORE faculty “customers” with budget preparation
5. Orient new faculty
6. Provide new faculty with “start-up” international travel funds
7. Consider creation of external advisory committee
8. Have at least one Board of Visitors (BOV) member be an international champion
9. Work with Office of Corp[orate Relations
10. Work with Foundation and WAA staff with international responsibilities
11. Raise money

- Work with Foundation, WALSAA and WAA

- devote significant time to international at BOV meetings

- join with opther campus units for U-wide fund raising

- send Foundation person abroad

- high-profile events

1. Enhance college culture

• High profile events
• Roundtables
• Be proactive

Monitoring Progress

1. Consider development of vision statement

- CALS

- Departments

- CALS International Programs

1. Articulate goals for international engagement of faculty, staff, and students

- set measurable targets with timelines

1. Develop monitoring instruments, e.g., surveys, specific actions, counts

 

Incoming International Scholars (Students, Postdocs, and Visiting Scholars)

1. Develop (mechanisms for?) short courses that generate revenue for other (international?) activities
2. Create structures and activities for incoming scholars to maximize the benefits they derive while here
3. Develop activities that allow CALS (US students, faculty and staff; the College) to maximize benefits from incoming scholars while they are on campus
4. Develop mechanisms/activities to link with scholars when they return home

• Internships; research connections and funding; donations; recruiting students and scholars

III. How Can Departments Accelerate Internationalization?

Some Suggestions

1. Recognize and reward faculty international activity

• Add language in all PVLs, e.g., “Interest and/or experience in international dimensions of the discipline is desirable.” Or “Candidates with experience with or desire to develop international programs and/or collaborations are encouraged to apply.”
• Add an “International Activities” section to faculty annual report
• Include as a factor in merit increase exercise
• Include in tenure document (help change divisional committee guidelines)

1. Identify partner institutions in other countries

• For long-term research collaborations (Dairy Science example)
• For student study abroad, research, internships

1. Develop expectations for faculty international activities
2. Expand the international content of courses
3. Bring in international speakers (with other departments?)
4. Develop continuing, short-term study abroad program (alone or with other departments)
5. Identify departmental scholarships that could be available to students studying abroad
6. Identify companies close to your departments that have international interests and might be able to offer internships or scholarships or faculty travel grants
7. Develop curriculum road maps to help students schedule study abroad
8. Develop mechanisms to meet and advise students early enough in their programs so they can realistically consider study abroad
9. Participate in the Global Science Corps --