Best Practices Conference in June, 2001

Colorado College

Participants:

• Jim Henderson
• Sarah Kawano
• Victor Nelson-Cisneros

Project Title: The Summer Intercultural Experience

Project Description:

Colorado College has made impressive strides over the past five years in increasing the number of students involved in international and intercultural experiences. Using both College programs and ACM programs, Colorado College students have participated in a broad array of international programs during the academic year. However, many students find it difficult to combine an international or intercultural program involving an extended absence from campus with their major academic program or extra-curricular activities. In particular, students majoring in the sciences or participating in intercollegiate athletics find it difficult to miss an entire semester during the regular academic year. These issues were explored in the 1996-97 academic year and a report was issued recommending that the Summer Session become more involved in providing international and intercultural experiences for Colorado College students. Some of the recommendations of that report have been implemented, but others deserve reconsideration.

Our team will revisit the suggestions made and explore new avenues for the expansion of the opportunities for students to engage in international and intercultural experiences during the Summer Session at Colorado College.

The Summer Session offers a number of benefits for the expansion of these programs:

1) Tuition is significantly reduced, and students get one summer course without tuition during their College experience.

2) Faculty exhibit a greater willingness to experiment with new courses during the summer.

3) Experimental programs can operate on a smaller scale.

4) Students have fewer scheduling conflicts in the summer.

There are however, significant challenges:

1) How would the proposed courses fit into the established curriculum?

2) How would the effectiveness of the new courses be assessed?

3) What funds would be available to offset the expected summer earnings of students on financial aid?

4) How will the site preparation and faculty support for new programs be handled?

5) Will the College be able to establish an ESL program for students from other countries that might be involved in exchange programs during the summer?

6) How can we improve the orientation program available for students going overseas during the summer?

Our team will develop a long-range plan for the expansion of international and intercultural program as a part of the Summer Session. Among the issues to be addressed are:

1) What international programs would fit well within our curriculum?

2) Will the Summer Session be able to underwrite the additional academic costs of running more international programs?

3) How will financial aid be provided?

4) How will the programs be assessed and modified?

5) How will faculty recruitment for these programs take place?

6) How will we make students aware of the new opportunities?

7) How will an expanded program be administered?

Participants:

Name: Jim Henderson

Title: Professor of Mathematics

E-mail: jhenderson@coloradocollege.edu

Biographical Information:

Name: Sarah Kawano

Title: Director of International Programs

E-mail: skawano@coloradocollege.edu

Biographical Information:

Name: Victor Nelson-Cisneros

Title: Associate Dean of the College

E-mail: vnelson@coloradocollege.edu

Biographical Information: