Guiding Principles
WKU Faculty-Led Study Abroad programs (FLSA) are to be planned, administered, and assessed based on these guiding principles:
- FLSA programs should address the goals of providing rich academic content, opportunities for personal growth and improved cultural awareness.
- FLSA programs are a shared responsibility.
- The chosen international destination(s) must be central to the clearly defined learning outcomes.
- Pre-planning, well in advance of a program start date, increases the likelihood of achieving the intended learning outcomes.
- Student safety while abroad requires attention to details in all phases of planning and implementation.
- Financial management should be centralized thereby relieving an instructor of record directly handling individual student money.
- Electronic processes should replace paper processes.
FLSA Administrative Manual
The new FLSA administrative manual is under review. During the transition, FLSAs will be guided by the current Faculty-Led Study Abroad Manual (Rev October 2011).
It is recognized that the new model will be implemented over time and adjustments will be made as needed. The goal is to increase and improve FLSA programs and support leaders in all phase their programs. The manual is intended to make the process of creating a FLSA program more accessible and transparent to faculty.
As stated under Guiding Principles, FLSA programs are a shared responsibility in which the learning outcomes are positively affected by the destination as well as the process of preparing and assessing the courses. The goals of all FLSA programs should be to provide outstanding academic content, opportunities for personal growth and improved cultural awareness among the students in the program.
FLSA Leadership
The Office of International Programs, led by the Chief International Officer, has primary responsibility to expand opportunities for the active engagement of students in international learning experiences both off-campus and on-campus. The CIO retains the right to approve or deny an FLSA program.
The International Education Council (IEC) is composed of faculty representing the various academic colleges who advise the CIO on issues related to internationalization at WKU.
Study Abroad & Global Learning (SAGL) is responsible for (1) advising and assisting students to select a study abroad program that meets their academic and professional aspirations; (2) preparing students to undertake a chosen program; and (3) providing appropriate record-keeping and reporting of WKU' achievement in study abroad.
The Division of Extended Learning and Outreach (DELO) collaborates with academic units to offer courses in the Winter Term and Summer Session.
Study Away is the DELO unit responsible for the administrative support of FLSA programs in close partnership with Program Leaders and SAGL.
WKU employees in FLSA leadership roles are collectively referred to as Program Leaders (PLs), each of whom must meet the eligibility requirements. All PLs share in the planning, implementing, on-site administration, risk management, and financial responsibilities of the FLSA.
Faculty-Led Study Abroad Courses
WKU faculty-led study abroad programs must include (1) one or more WKU credit courses for which the instructor of record is a WKU employee; and (2) student travel requiring a passport. Study abroad courses are created in Banner with specific characteristics that identify the courses as study abroad.
The new administrative manual (coming soon) covers only courses offered in WKU's winter term or summer session. Programs to take place with the regular academic term would be handled on a case-by-case basis. Courses offered through third-party providers or consortia to which WKU belongs, even if WKU faculty are instructors of record, are outside the scope of this manual.
Services
The new Faculty-Led Study Abroad model offered by DELO is designed to help make your program work by providing these services:
- Site assessment and preparation
- Budget management and financial reconciliation
- Marketing
- Application Management
- Student registration
- Travel coordination and logistics
- Orientation support
- Risk Management & Emergency response
- Student Scholarships
- Support Recruitment - Recruiting students is a joint effort among the faculty leaders, the academic departments and colleges, Study Abroad & Global Learning, and the Study Away office. WKU faculty members have a wide sphere of influence and can generate a lot of interest in your programs. Word-of-mouth enthusiasm can spread among other students, working to your advantage.
