SPECIAL REPORT INTERNATIONAL STUDIES COUNCIL

Transcription

1 SPECIAL REPORT of the INTERNATIONAL STUDIES COUNCIL concerning AN EXCHANGE AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS AMHERST AMHERST, MASSACHUSETTS, USA AND THE UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO RIO GRANDE DO SUL (Approved by the Rules Committee, acting on behalf of the Faculty Senate, May 15, 2013) Presented at the 729 th Regular Meeting of the Faculty Senate September 12, 2013 COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP Neal Abraham Tayeb El-Hibri Jack Ahern Stephen Forrest Yetunde Ajao Song Gao Michael Alderman Sangeeta Kamat Margaret Allard M. Christine King, Chair Sonia Alvarez Tim Lang Bradley Bolin Holly Lawrence Irena Bozin Ernest May Elizabeth Brabec Jose Ornelas Thomas Brashear-Alejandro Maria Papapietro Carolyn Cave Howard Peelle Michael Coblyn Jenny Spencer Jennifer Donais Peter Stern Gonen Dori-Hacohen Xuejia Wang Lisa Wexler

2 At its meeting of April 1, 2013, the International Studies Council voted unanimously to recommend to the full Faculty Senate the proposed agreement between the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. The Council based its positive recommendation on the following features in the agreement: 1. The exchange agreement provides opportunities for UMA graduate students to study abroad at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul and for graduate students from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul to study at UMA. 2. The exchange agreement provides opportunities for a rich cultural experience. For the period of their registration at the host institution, students participating in the exchange will have all of the privileges enjoyed by regular students of the host institution to the extent permitted by law. 3. The exchange agreement protects intellectual property. The participating institutions wish to jointly benefit, within the policies, procedures and regulations in effect in their countries and institutions, from scientific results and information acquired within the collaborative implementation of this agreement. Thus, the participating institutions may collaborate to write common publications in national or international journals. Unless otherwise required by law, institutional policy, or contract, information and scientific research not jointly published can be conveyed to a third party only by agreement of both institutions. The participating institutions recognize the need to protect their background information in science, technology and the humanities within the framework of joint research programs. Finding: UMASS Amherst students will be well served academically and culturally during their enrollment at the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul. Likewise, we anticipate that the students who come to UMASS Amherst from Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul will enrich our campus community by their presence. MOVED: That the Faculty Senate approve the Exchange Agreement between the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA, and the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, as presented in Sen. Doc. No

3 Agreement between the University of Massachusetts Amherst and the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Sen. Doc. No The purpose of this agreement ( Agreement ) is to establish an academic exchange of students and faculty between the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul ( UFRGS ) and the University of Massachusetts Amherst ( UMA ) on behalf of the Masters in Public Policy Program ( PPP ). Other forms of collaboration and exchange, including graduate students from all disciplines, administrators and business leaders from both countries are also encouraged under this agreement. A. Students 1. The exchange is open to UFRGS graduate students and UMA graduate students. 2. Students participating in this exchange are required to be regular degree students registered at their home institution. 3. UMA agrees to accept up to one (1) academically qualified graduate student from UFRGS each semester. The UFRGS student will enroll as non-degree graduate student at UMA for the period of one semester. 4. UFRGS agrees to accept up to one (1) academically qualified graduate student from UMA each semester. The UMA student will enroll as non-degree student at UFRGS for the period of one semester. 5. Graduate students will have earned a Bachelor s degree or the equivalent before attending the host institution. 6. UFRGS students must show evidence of English Language Proficiency appropriate for college-level study. A TOEFL ibt score of 80 or the IELTS score of of UMA students must show evidence of intermediate-level Portuguese appropriate for college-level study. To be determined by IPO advisors or UMA language faculty. 8. The number of students to be exchanged each year will be agreed upon no later than by 1 November of each year preceding the next academic year. The agreement prioritizes graduate students from PPP, however, graduate students from other programs may participate with approval of both institutions. The actual number of students will be renegotiated each year based on the current exchange balances. 9. UFRGS will submit its applications for the exchange by March 1 for the fall semester and by October 15 for the spring semester. All candidates for the program must be in good academic standing at their home institution in order to be considered. 10. UMA will submit its applications for the exchange by April 15 for the fall semester, by October 15 for the spring semester. All candidates for the program must be in good academic standing at their home institution in order to be considered. 11. Enrolment will be based on the recommendation of the home institution in consultation with the responsible professors from the host institution affirming the academic, linguistic and personal qualifications of the candidates and subject to the final approval of the host institution. 12. Students are required to maintain the equivalent of a full-time course load at the host institution (9 credits/semester for graduate students studying at UMA, 8 credits/semester for graduate students studying at UFRGS). 13. Students participating in this exchange program will pay their normal tuition and fees at their home universities. During the term of this Agreement UFRGS agrees to waive tuition and registration fees for all incoming UMA students, while UMA agrees to waive tuition and the curriculum fee for incoming UFRGS graduate students. 14. Incoming UFRGS graduate students are responsible for the remaining mandatory academic/administrative fees at UMA, such as the Graduate Senate Tax, the Graduate Service Fee and any other mandatory academic/administrative fees imposed subsequent to the signing of this document. Students are responsible for their travel and living expenses, and all other miscellaneous costs during the exchange. 15. Students must provide proof of health insurance covering illnesses, hospitalisation, maternity, accidents, repatriation and civil liability for the period of their stay abroad. Presently, UFRGS students must purchase the health insurance required by and made available through UMA to cover medical contingencies while in the United States.

4 16. UMA students are covered by the University of Massachusetts insurance plan for approved education abroad programs. In addition, they are required to maintain their own health insurance in the US. They are responsible for their travel and living expenses, and all other miscellaneous costs during the exchange. 17. UMA agrees to make every effort to provide accommodation for the exchange students if housing applications are submitted by the agreed deadlines. Students will pay all residence fees for the dormitories or other residences in which they are accommodated. UFRGS will assist UMA exchange students in finding off-campus housing. 18. Both UFRGS and UMA will assist students in obtaining the required visas/residence permits, but the costs and responsibility for obtaining such visas rest solely with the students themselves. 19. For the period of their registration at the host institution, students participating in the exchange will have all of the privileges enjoyed by regular students of the host institution to the extent permitted by law. They will be required to conform to the same regulations and rules as the students of the host institution. 20. A member of the faculty will be identified at each institution to act as advisor for the students of the other institution with regard to both academic and personal matters. 21. The International Offices at UMA and at UFRGS will serve as the initial contact points for entering students and will assist exchange students in obtaining accommodation as well as facilitate the admission procedure. B. Duration This Agreement shall become effective beginning September 1, 2013, and will remain in effect for five (5) years. At the completion of the initial five-year period the agreement can be continued for additional periods of five years if both institutions so agree in writing. This Agreement may be terminated by either party in the form of a written notice submitted at least eight (8) months prior to the academic year in which the termination is to become effective. This Agreement may be amended or modified at any time by mutual consent through further written agreements. Any further agreements will be considered codicils to this Agreement. C. Contingency Both universities subscribe to the policy of equal opportunity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, ethnicity, national origin, veteran s status, disability, or sexual preference. UFRGS and UMA shall abide by these principles in the administration of this Agreement. The parties agree that, if by reason of strike or other labor disputes, civil disorders, severe weather, acts of nature, or other causes beyond the control of the party ( Force Majeure ) seeking to invoke this paragraph, either party is unable to perform entirely its obligation, such non-performance shall not be considered a breach of this Agreement and neither university shall be liable to the other for any failure, delay, or interruption in performing its obligations hereunder due to causes or conditions beyond its control. If, due to Force Majeure, it becomes impossible to implement the obligations set forth in this Agreement, it shall be suspended temporarily until the disadvantages are overcome. All notices and demands required or permitted under any provisions of this Agreement must be made in writing signed by the party giving notice and shall be served, either personally or by registered or certified mail or by overnight or expedited delivery, to the receiving party s coordinating office, as set forth in Section D of this Agreement.

5 D. Coordination of the Exchange UMA and UFRGS designate the following offices to coordinate the student exchange program: For UFRGS: For UMA: UFRGS International Office International Programs Office xxxxxxxxxxxx 111 Thatcher Road OFC 3 xxxxxxxxxxxx University of Massachusetts xxxxxxxxxxxx Amherst, MA Tel.: xxxxxxxxxxx Phone: /2843 Fax: xxxxxxxxxxx Fax: Liane.hetschke@relintor.ufrgs.br csosa@ipo.umass.edu E. Entire Agreement This Agreement and amendments (if any) constitute the entire agreement between the universities in relation to student exchanges after the commencement of this Agreement. The only enforceable obligations and liabilities of the parties in that regard are those that arise out of this Agreement. Any prior representations, correspondence, promises, verbal or written agreements, prior understandings or representations of any kind relating to the subject matter herein are superseded by this Agreement. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Agreement to be executed: For Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Carlos Alexandre Netto, President Date For University of Massachusetts Amherst Kumble R. Subbaswamy, Chancellor Date