New Business —

Sunita Gandhi, committee chair, presided over the meeting on Oct. 11 on Zoom.  She welcomed everyone. Introductions were made. 

Everyone should have the link to Teams for the committee.

Charlie Bankart will send the ACE Internationalization Lab peer review report to the committee once he has permission. 

There are changes to the charges that were previously sent to committee. Each charge was reviewed by Charles Bankart and Sunita and provided the updated version to the committee.

The committee had the discussions in the first meeting based on this tentative updated version though this version will need to be approved later by University Senate.

One change is the change of “KUIA” replaced with International Committee.  This is Charles offices’ name.  We will change the name of committee. 

Covid-19 is not something active which we will need to work on. It’s removed in the updated version. 

Charges 1 and 2 were for 2 years and already being done, only the reports are left to review. Once we have the Lab report, we can discuss this one. 

Charge 3.  We changed Charge 3 to current global issues that affect international students. We are considering having a speaker talk about these issues.

Charge 4 is similar.  We should check with international students about all issues that are affecting their wellbeing.  This will be a poll. 

Specific charge 5 is like standing charge 2.  Bring more awareness of resources available for international students.  We can advertise resources across Lawrence and Edwards campus.  Reach international students with resources so students feel at home. 

A question on and an explanation of the difference between standing and specific charges was given.  A standing charge goes year to year.  They tend to be a point of continuity.  Specific charges change dramatically year to year.  They are brought forward from the previous year.

A priority is how internationalization is part of Jayhawk Rising. 

Charge 1 and Charge 2 were put aside until the new charges are approved, or until the end of the year.

Charge 3.  We can have a speaker for the committee. There is a new director Dr. Eron Memaj of International Support Services.  International admissions and recruitment are under Dr. Eron Memaj’s office.  Other support too.  We will soon be contacting Dr. Eron for a request to be our guest speaker in the next meeting. There are other institutional models KU may want to look it.  It would be interesting for this group to connect with Dr. Eron. Also, will be a poll which will be combined with the charge 4th poll.

This committee should be responsible for addressing needs of students to global issues.  How do we support these students?  A discussion followed on what support is given to students who are deeply affected by current situations in their countries, for example Iran.  What support has been given to these students?  Charles elaborated on the financial support KU has provided to Ukrainian students.  They ae also helping Leavenworth with Ukrainian language and culture. Humanitarian Tuition, which allows a student to be considered for Kansas residence, is on the docket for spring for next academic year.

Charge 5.  ISS an advocacy department.  They work with the rest of the University to ensure services for these groups is being provided.  They are providing resources and can share information with students.  In the report we can gather the resources and provide. Links to resources will be provided. Note: This Specific charge is almost having the similar gist like number 2 of the standing charge.

Subcommittees were formed to have combined survey for Charge #3 and Charge #4. Will provide a quick progress report in the November meeting and actual report in the December meeting.

Charge 3 & 4:  Hara, Patricia, and Hollie

Eron (ISS) is available to distribute a survey to international students for governance.

KU Fact Book is a resource that can be utilized.  It has the international population by country.

The discussion results were:

Survey for Charge 3 and Charge 4 can be combined. 

Charge 1 and Charge 2 will be done in the spring.

Charge 3, Charge 4, and Charge 5 will be in the fall.

In April 2023 committee meeting which may be longer, we will work together compiling the final report, approve and submit the same. The next meeting will be right before Thanksgiving.  The committee determined that the Teams folder for 2022 will remain, and a new folder for 2023 will remain.

Meeting adjourned.