International Activities Commission
Review of reports of Task Groups 2 and 5.
March 2, 2000

Introductions- Chairman Womack initiated the meeting and, after proposing a unanimously endorsed motion of gratitude for Denise Karaoli’s service to the Commission, which was amended to include flowers. He announced that the budgets for the International Residential College (formerly known as the International Living and Learning Center) and SCOLA had been approved in principle. A resolution was passed unanimously to express our thanks to John Casteen, Leonard Sandridge, and Peter Low for their support of these projects, which are vital to the international dimension of the University's academic mission. In addition, Womack announced that SCOLA programs will be broadcast on two cable channels next year. Following these announcements, the agenda focused on the reports of Task Groups 2 and 5.

Task Group 2 – Rachel Saury highlighted the main recommendations of TG 2, focusing on internationalizing the curriculum. Saury noted that curriculum is not exclusively a departmental issue but also includes student life, classroom interaction, libraries, administration and access to technology. TG 2’s recommendations focus in particular on the urgent need to upgrade language study, particularly in a manner that makes use of technologies.

Specific short-term goals include:

• Building momentum for longer-term efforts by establishing a Foreign Language Center to coordinate all departmental initiatives, course sequences, pedagogies, and cross-school programs;
• Developing incentives for faculty to create new programs by encouraging course release time or establishing new positions;
• Institutionalizing within ITC the capacity to manage international technological communications; and
• Providing more support to current teaching and technology programs.

Ideally, TG 2 suggests that to prepare UVA to become a leader in these areas over the next two decades, the University consider:

• Increasing to half the number of faculty members with international expertise;
• Institutionalizing foreign language study across the curriculum;
• Playing a coordinating role for local schools seeking to increase their access to foreign language study;
• Integrating technologies that would in particular allow faculty and teaching assistants to focus class time on more creative instruction.

Additional Commissioners recommended TG 2’s final report emphasize the need for not just more language study programs but a broader goal of promoting global fluency in information, culture and communication. Other specific issues included: maximizing the input of recently returned study-abroad students, the opportunity to pursue federal funding in support of language study, designing less intensive introductory courses that would attract more students and team teaching courses to integrate language study with other subjects such as history or politics.

Task Group 5 – Bill Quandt reported on the recommendations of TG 5, which addressed institutional organization for international activities. Citing the value of an energetic, high profile person to operationalize IAPC’s recommendations, and noting the presence of similar positions at Duke, Madison, and UCLA, Quandt reiterated the need for a Vice Provost for International Affairs. Given that the Commissioners unanimously support the need for such a position, Quandt outlined the need to generate momentum within the University for such a position and to develop a strategy to carry on IAPC activities during the yearlong search process. Chairman Womack proposed an International Activities Committee (IAC) that would start to implement IAPC recommendations. The IAC would be broadly representative across the University and across areas of the world, and would advise its chair, the University's officer in charge of international activities. Womack also proposed that an Interim Vice Provost for International Activities be designated for next year. The Interim Vice Provost would be responsible for initiating the implementation of the IAPC's recommendations. It is recommended that he or she have an office with a staff of an administrative assistant, a development officer, a research assistant, and an adequate OTPS budget.

The Final comments on TG 5’s report reiterated the need for a development officer specifically dedicated to international affairs.

Following the discussion of TG 5’s report, Theo van Groll took the opportunity to thank the IAPC for its support of ISO.

Laurie Kelsh introduced Tammy Herring, who will be the permanent Planning Office assistant working with Denise Karaoli.

Rachel Saury introduced Anne Ingram from ITC, who will be replacing Yitna Firdiwek as the Commission's contact person there.

Chairman Womack concluded the session by setting the agenda for the next meeting:

The report from TG 4, integrating recommendations, setting priorities and finalizing budget figures.

Next meetings planned:

March 23rd (South Meeting Room) to review of Task Group 4 and budget proposals.
April 13th (Room 389) to review a preliminary version of the final report.
May 18th (Commonwealth Room) final wrap up.