Ithaca College

Submitted on behalf of Provost Marisa Kelly

International travel, whether as part of a course, a research project, or a non-credit bearing educational program, can have a profoundly positive impact on student learning.  We are pleased that about 30% of our graduates have an educational experience abroad, whether semester-long, for a summer, or short-term. College faculty and staff members have successfully led programs and research opportunities over the past several years in a number of different locations; these include China, Cyprus, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, England, Ghana, India, Italy, Malawi, Scotland, and Turkey.

To advance the goals of IC20/20 and to prepare our students in keeping with the Institutional Mission, I would like to encourage more such overseas experiences that are directly tied to the on-campus curriculum or to an on-campus learning initiative. Short-term and educational travel abroad can support student engagement with faculty and staff outside of the classroom, enhance the curriculum, advance experiential learning, facilitate service to others in the international community, and contribute to informed citizenship. Thank you to our faculty and staff who have been the forerunners in offering such opportunities to Ithaca College students. We fully appreciate the time, effort, and considerable responsibility involved.

As we expand our international offerings, it is critical that we follow consistently applied procedures and carefully assess any risks associated with our activities overseas.  As such, I have asked the Office of International Programs (OIP) to update and fully apply procedures for the review and approval of short-term study and educational travel abroad involving students. These procedures, developed with input from staff and faculty with experience leading trips abroad, are in effect. All College employees must now follow these procedures when travelling with students abroad.

Please visit the OIP website to become familiar with the most up to date Procedures for Developing and Implementing Short-term Study and Educational Travel Abroad at Ithaca College. I ask your cooperation in complying with these campus-wide requirements. In addition, I have asked the OIP to begin drafting procedures for student participation in international conferences and for students preparing for internship placements abroad. These will be shared with the campus community when they are ready. All, of course, will be evolving documents as we work to ensure that we are following best practice in all that we do.

The Office of International Programs will be offering two workshops for those interested in learning more about the Procedures and the process for securing approval to travel internationally with students.  Dates of the workshops will be provided by the Office of International Programs at later date.