ORGANIZATION
10.42
New 11-06
International Programs
335-2541
PDF link
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 encouragement of obtaining the best undergraduate experience in a research university can be accomplished by successful global partnerships.
Through International Partnership Agreements (IPAs) 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 beneficial to the University, the state of Washington, and worldwide. For a detailed description of agreements types see below.
OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
The Office of International Programs administers and coordinates international agreements including Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) and International Partnership Agreements (IPAs) for the University.
Contact Information
International Programs
Bryan Hall 206
Mail code: 5121
Telephone: 509-335-2541
E-mail: intlprog@wsu.edu
Website: http://www.ip.wsu.edu
TYPES OF INTERNATIONAL AGREEMENTS
Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs)
A Memorandum of Understanding is a general agreement between the University and colleagues, organizations, and other universities. Completion of a Memorandum of Understanding often documents the first step in the process of establishing diverse activities but it does not commit resources nor does it commit the University to provide services or activities.
International Partnership Agreements (IPAs)
An International Partnership Agreement is a legally-binding contract that commits the University to providing 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 may route an IPA to OGRD or Business Affairs for approval. See below.
Examples
Examples of activities documented by IPAs include, but are not limited to:
- Student exchanges,
- Faculty exchanges,
- English language training programs,
- Faculty-led study abroad programs,
- Joint degree programs,
- Internships.
See also below for detailed information about IPA examples.
Required Details
An IPA 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 below for approval requirements for IPAs.
OTHER AGREEMENT TYPES
This section (10.42) does not apply to the following agreement types.
Business Contracts
Contracts relating to the general business and financial affairs of the University 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 the Office of Grant and Research Development. Refer to Chapter 40 to process such agreements.
SOURCES
MOUs and IPAs 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
In some cases, departments/units may receive a proposed agreement from a foreign university or organization. When this occurs, it is the responsibility of the department to determine interest by faculty, departments, and colleges. If interest exists, the department is to contact International Programs for assistance.
If the proposed agreement as presented does not meet all the requirements of this section, it must be modified to include University requirements in communication with the originator.
International Programs sends proposed agreements to OGRD, Business Affairs, 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:
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:
Retention of Agreements
The Office of International Programs retains the originals of MOUs and copies of IPAs. The Office monitors termination dates of all international agreements.
The Controller's Office retains the originals of all IPAs.
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 IPA or MOU on the Internal Approval Form. This form is the last page of the templates (MOUs and IPAs) and is for WSU internal use only.
The signatures of the 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.
After obtaining approval for the responsible colleges and departments, return the agreement by courier or campus mail to International Programs, mail code 5121, Bryan Hall 206.
IPA Approvals by Activity
Refer to the following table to determine approval for specific activities. Note that certain agreements are routed to OGRD and/or Business Affairs. Contact IP with questions or to request clarification.
Activity Provost
IP
OGRD
Business
AffairsStudent exchanges ü
ü
Faculty exchanges ü
ü
X*
English language training ü
ü
Faculty-led study abroad ü
ü
ü
Joint degree programs ü
ü
Internships ü
ü
X*
International Research and Development Grants/Contracts X
X
ü
X
ü Required Approval
X Possible Approval* If extramural funding is involved in the exchange or internship.
Final WSU Approval
After the Associate Vice Provost of International Programs approves the agreement, International Programs in consultation with OGRD and Business Affairs determines appropriate final University approvals.
The President or designee approves MOUs. The Provost or designee approves IPAs.
AGREEMENT CRITERIA
Consider the following criteria when evaluating MOUs or IPAs 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 IPA provides global experiences for students, faculty and the University's constituencies;
- Enhancement of the internationalization process;
- Degree to which the proposed MOU or IPA 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; and
- Degree to which the MOU or IPA addresses criteria specific to the participating faculty and units.
Education Abroad Student Exchanges and Internships
The Education Abroad Office of International Programs and the appropriate department and college are responsible for establishing, facilitating, and monitoring all student education abroad programs, exchanges, and internships.
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 above) these agreements require the approval of the Director of Education Abroad before obtaining the approval of the Associate 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 Education Abroad Office in 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 the Education Abroad Office 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.
Additional Approvals
In addition to required approvals (see 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 Affairs
- Office of Research/OGRD
- Officer of International Students and Scholars