OVERSEAS STUDIES PANEL

MINUTES and REPORT

October 19, 2007

WPH 201

I.  	INFORMATION ITEMS:  

A. September OSP report
Provided in advance and noted.

B. Data on enrollment in overseas studies programs during 2006-7
Two reports were provided in advance:  (1) Overseas studies run by The College and various Schools, and (2) ALL overseas trips by students, including non-credit experiences, 2006-07.  New programs, such as the Trojans Without Borders and Global Scholars programs, rely heavily on overseas studies, so we may see a growth spurt in overseas programs.

II.  	DISCUSSION ITEMS:

A.  Panel Mission
DEFERRED.  The chair said that Adam Clayton Powell III, Vice Provost for Globalization, will meet with OSP at one of the next two meetings (November 16 or December 14.)  Discussion regarding review of new and existing programs, and the subject of support, and any appropriate and non-intrusive ways the OSP can be a resource for programs, is tabled for the time being.  For example, we may wish to help schools that provide overseas programs talk to each other, and find out from them what problems thay have in providing programs.   The #501 form was circulated in advance.  Members, especially those who have some experience reviewing the proposals, are asked to give feedback on the #501 form.  For example, perhaps it is not necessary to ask for syllabi. 

B.  Student Evaluations
APPROVED, recommendation that the Office of Overseas Studies be given support (technical or otherwise by the University) to develop a universal, online evaluation form that can be used by overseas studies and other schools in the evaluation of their programs. The data produced by these evaluations would be used by the OSP when programs are reviewed, and would be made available to students considering various overseas studies options.   
The paper form used by the College, and by at least some other schools, was developed by the Provost’s Office about three years ago for all schools to use with semester/year programs.  It consists of 29 quantitative questions all departments were expected to use, which could be followed by qualitative questions designed by a department to tailor it to their own program.  The data from the first 29 questions are entered into a spreadsheet by staff in the OSO for the programs they sponsor, for the purpose of overall evaluation of off-campus programs.  Questionnaires are also stored in binders in the OSO for other students to review when they are considering which program to attend.
It was noted that International Summer Programs are different enough from semester and year abroad programs that they have not used the standard form (or any standard form, but it was agreed that it would be helpful for semester and summer program evaluation forms to share similar questions where appropriate.
The OSO’s response rate last year with the standard form for non-USC-run programs was 36%.  There are several things that might increase the response rate.  These include:  providing an online survey that students can fill out online and return online (it must allow them to be anonymous if they desire); providing reminders; letting students know that they responses will be helpful to future students; and trying to avoid the “evaluation fatigue” that may occur if students are given too many evaluations to fill out.  
The student member pointed out that in her summer program, she was asked to fill out four evaluations (several were from the program provider).  Most program providers are not willing to share the data they obtain from our students (even summaries of it) with us.  
Stephen Bucher asked OSP members to volunteer to edit the standard form for use for summer programs.  There are companies, such as Survey Monkey, which provide assistance in creating forms, downloading the results into spreadsheets and “crunching” the data.    These data might be shared with service providers and the overseas institutions, as well as being useful to us.

C.	New semester program through CIEE at Corvinus University – Budapest [15 units]
Eff. Term: Spring 2008
Requested by Jane Cody

APPROVED for one semester.
Proposed to accommodate students wishing to take part in an Eastern Europe overseas studies experience, who were unable to enroll in USC’s program in Prague, due to lack of space.  The Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) received an unanticipated number of applications before USC’s applications were received, even though they were sent in before the deadline.  Many students were interested in Prague because it is more affordable than other programs in Europe due to the exchange rate, because it is a charming city, and because there is no foreign language requirement.  The OSO has no experience with the other program providers in Prague, but has good experience with CIEE, and so has proposed an alternative CIEE site in Eastern Europe.  The OSO considered a CIEE program in Warsaw but Budapest is more attractive to students.  Compared to Prague, the offerings are similar, except Corvinus does not offer cinema courses. The Marshall School of Business has an undergraduate exchange program with Corvinus, so there is a track record.  If the College wishes to sponsor this program on a more permanent basis, a new request will be submitted.  In any event, a report should be provided to OSP next year.  The OSO was encouraged to establish an earlier deadline for Prague in future years, and publicize it at the overseas studies fair, ads in the Daily Trojan, and asking advisors in high-use departments such as Political Science, International Relations and History to forward the information to their student listservs.

Members present			Members absent		Guests

Yehuda Ben-Zion			Giuseppe Caire			Peter Hilton (Overseas
Laurie Brand				Annalisa Enrile			Studies Office, the
Stephen Bucher (chair)			Elizabeth Garrett (ex officio)	College)
Amanda Custer (student)		David Glasgow (ex-officio)
Frances M. Fitzgerald (support staff)	Steven Lamy (ex-officio) 
Stacy Geck				Joan R. Piggott
Noosha Malek (ex-officio)		Adam Powell (ex-officio)
Gunnar Nielsson			Kenneth L. Servis (ex-officio)
Erin Quinn
Gordon Stables
Edwenna Werner (for Kenneth
Servis)

PROPOSALS APPROVED BY THE CHAIR, OR THE CHAIR PLUS ONE OTHER MEMBER
I.  NEW INTERNATIONAL SUMMER PROGRAM
A.  COLLEGE OF LETTERS ARTS & SCIENCES	Req by Jane Cody and
1.  USC Chinese Summer Program in Beijing (8 units)	East Asian Languages and Cultures
		Eff. Term:	Summer 2008
	
APPROVED: 	Eight-week program approved for one year.  Four-week program that was also requested was not approved unless concerns are addressed.  
The OSP reviewers recognize the need and value of the program.  They both have a concern with the program’s proposed length(s). While they understand the financial burden that will confront some students in taking the 8-week program, they share the concern of the program’s proposers that a 4-week program may not allow for adequate overseas experiences and significant immersion. They approve the 8-week program for one year. They remain open to the possibility of the 4-week program if the EALC concerns are addressed.  
Students will live and attend classes in the International Exchange Building at Capital Normal University.  A resident director, a lecturer in  EALC, will supervise the instructors, either from USC or locally hired.  
Catalog copy:  "The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures offers its Chinese language summer courses in Beijing.  Participants will be able to transition seamlessly to the next-level courses upon returning to campus.  Cultural visits and excursions will be included in the tuition fee.  All courses count toward a major and minor in Chinese."

II.  REVIEW AND RENEWAL OF SEMESTER/YEAR PROGRAMS
A.  COLLEGE OF LETTERS ARTS & SCIENCES:  OFFICE OF OVERSEAS STUDIES 
			Req by Jane Cody
1.  American University in Cairo, semester/year program (15 units/semester)		
Approved for 5 years, conditional on a report after 1 year once the move to a new campus is made, since this will have an effect on many program components.

2.  Semester/Year program in Milan through IES  (18 units per semester)
Approved for 5 years. 
Comments:  The program report reflects a program that provides good opportunities for the students.

3.  Semester program in Prague through CIEE (16 units)
Approved for 5 years. 
Comments:  The main issues concerned where students lived and how they interacted with the Czech population. We hope this can be addressed in future reports, ultimately with the hope of helping other programs by sharing best practices.
III.  REVIEW AND RENEWAL OF INTERNATIONAL SUMMER PROGRAMS

A.  VITERBI SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING	
1.  Viterbi Summer Overseas Program.  Rotates among four European capitals (5-7 units)
Approved for 3 years.
Program rotates among four European capitals.  2007 was in Paris, 2008 will be in Rome.  (Reviewed by two members of OSP which did not include the chair, who is from Engineering.)  

IV.  REVIEW OF INTERNATIONAL SUMMER PROGRAMS—CHAIR ONLY REVIEW
A.  COLLEGE OF LETTERS ARTS & SCIENCES  Req by Jane Cody, Eff Summer 2008
All approved for one year:
1.  Verona Summer Program (8 units)

2.  Dijon (4 units)

3.  Madrid (8 units)
Comments re Madrid:	It should be noted that both program directors, Mario Saltarelli and Sherry Velasco, indicate a need to review the goals and expectations of the program’s courses.

V.  REVISION OF SEMESTER PROGRAM
A.  MARSHALL SCHOOL OF BUSINESS	
			Eff. Term:	Spring 2007
Semester International Exchange Program at ESADE, Barcelona, Spain (15-16 units)
APPROVED retroactively, effective Spring 2007. 
Program changed from quarters to semesters in 2006-7, with 15 weeks of classes and 2 weeks of exams.  Students can now attend either fall or spring.  Articulation of units was adjusted--students will ordinarily take five courses which earn 5.0 ESADE units, or 3 USC units. If courses with more ESADE units are taken, students may earn up to 16 units.