Santa Rosa Junior College created the International Educational Task Force in Spring 2001. The college directed the Task Force to examine all facets of international studies at SRJC and to suggest improvements or changes. The thirty-three volunteers on the International Education Task Force represent all constituencies at the college and reflect the high level of interest in this topic on our campuses.

In creating the Task Force, the college was responding to Cross-Component Goal 3.0 of the Santa Rosa Junior College Management Plan, 2001-02:

The International Educational Task Force created this International Programs Plan in response to the goal and objective outlined in the SRJC Management Plan. The International Programs Plan represents the work of the many individuals in the college who have long advocated for increased emphasis upon international education. It also reflects the continuing activities of the International Studies Committee, which, in 1999, articulated the need for improved international program support.

Each semester, Santa Rosa Junior College hosts over one hundred international students. The college has found these students to be a wonderful resource, providing information and insights into the global community and creating opportunities for all students and faculty to explore other cultures.

Currently, the college does not have a well-organized recruiting program to attract international students to our campus. Much of our recruitment of international students is passive, relying upon word-of-mouth and fortuitous hits on our web site; consequently, the number of international students applying for admission to SRJC is never great and is often erratic. Equally important, our lack of coordinated effort makes it difficult to increase the number of students coming to SRJC from other countries. As can be seen in the Addendum, our international student enrollment (F-1 Visas) is a fraction of the international student enrollments at other California Community Colleges with comparable or smaller total students.

The needs of international students are often specialized, yet the support they receive once they arrive at SRJC may not be sufficient, given their linguistic, cultural, and financial challenges. The college does not have an integrated program to assist these international students; instead, most services are provided on an as-needed basis by a classified A&R staff member and one A&R supervisor. The remaining services are scattered throughout the campus in offices for counseling, scholarship, health, associated students, and student employment.

SRJC also operates expanding work abroad and study abroad programs that provide international work and learning opportunities in other lands. In recent years, both programs have added students and options for working and studying abroad. In fact, the college’s best efforts at international education are often directed to those of our students traveling to other countries for work or study. Nonetheless, these programs remain unknown to most of our students, thus denying to many individuals the opportunity to live and study abroad.

As a result of the fragmented organization of the college’s international education programs, SRJC faces a number of challenges:

• Restriction on the range and diversity of ideas and experience in SRJC classrooms
• Limitation on the number of international students coming to SRJC to study
• Reduction of the fees the college receives from international students
• Constraint on the opportunities for SRJC students to work and study abroad
• Impediments to the efforts of our students and faculty to form professional and personal relationships with individuals in other parts of the globe.

Based upon its study of issues and needs associated with SRJC international education, the International Educational Task Force recommends that SRJC:

1. Establish an International Programs Center to improve the recruitment, support, and retention of international students on our campuses and to increase support and recruitment of students in the college’s work abroad and study abroad programs.

In support of both types of international programs—for individuals coming to this campus to study and for those wishing to venture abroad—the college should establish an International Programs Center. Initially, this Center could be located in the Doyle Student Center Lounge, adjacent to the Cybear Center.

In the early phases of its development, the International Programs Center would be supported in part by redirecting existing resources; additionally, up to 10 percent of the college fees paid by international students should be designated for program support (See Budget Addendum):

Functions:

• Recruit and support international students at SRJC

• Provide office space for international counselors, financial aid staff, associated students, and A&R specialist to assist international students

• Coordinate information for international students from other campus sources and the community: scholarship, associated students, student employment, student health, community resources, on and off-campus housing, home stays, and employment services
• Create and supervise a student mentoring program for first-time international students at SRJC by matching them with volunteer faculty and students

• Provide liaison between international students/programs and SRJC staff and individuals or international cultural organizations in the community

• In cooperation with the Dean, Educational Programs & Services and the Director of Economic Development, create a comprehensive outreach and recruitment program for both inbound and outbound students
• Review current dorm space prioritization policy in Kent Hall to see if international students' can be accommodated

• Assist international students with applications, housing, orientation week, visas, work permits, income taxes, transportation, tutoring, social events, Immigration and Naturalization Service, health insurance in a "one-stop" operation

• Maintain the International Programs Center web site and newsletter

• Provide information, liaison, and referral services for the Work Abroad and Study Abroad programs
• Develop faculty exchange programs with international schools
• Work with individual departments to promote international programs within specific disciplines

• Cooperate with the International Studies Committee to promote and improve all SRJC international programs
• Provide liaison between SRJC and organizations or associations with an interest in international education
• Provide support to all clubs with an international focus at SRJC

Facilities:

• Location: 250 sf partitioned office space in southeast corner of Doyle Student Center, adjacent to Cybear Center
• Staff: One 1.0 full-time A&R specialist (1/2-time net new); one .25 STNC (AA II), 5-7:00 p.m.; 1/5-time A&R supervisor
• 1/2-time faculty position to assist with study abroad and student/faculty mentoring programs
• Proposed Budget: Please see Appendix A
• International Student Profile: Please see Appendix B
• California Community College International Enrollment: Please see Appendix C

In support of international education, the Task Force also recommends that the college designate the International Studies Committee as an advisory committee to the International Programs Center. The purpose of International Education at SRJC is to offer a variety of programs and services that will provide students, faculty, and the community at large with knowledge, skills, and cultural experiences necessary to become well- prepared members of global society. Additionally, the International Education Programs promotes and encourages the internationalization of the College by fostering mutual understanding, facilitating preparation for the world of work, and supporting lifelong learning through activities that provide opportunities for participation in the international community. While maintaining its current responsibilities, the Committee should have a more active role in all phases of international studies, and Committee membership should be expanded to ensure representation from Academic Affairs, Student Services, and students. As an active advisory group, the International Studies Committee would:

• Provide suggestions and support to the Dean of Admissions & Records to assist in the operation, improvement, and development of the International Programs Center

• Act as liaison and advocate throughout the district to promote the interests and activities of the International Programs Center, including development of faculty exchanges, student/faculty mentoring, housing policy and program for international students

• Support and promote all aspects of international education at SRJC (inbound students as well as the Work Abroad and Study Abroad programs)
• Provide annual reports to the Board and the campus community on the status of international education at SRJC

• International Counselors: The college has excellent counseling programs. To support international students, the Task Force recommends that the Counseling Department continue to maintain a number of counselors experienced in working with international students and devise a schedule mechanism to ensure availability during peak registration times as well as during the semester. This recommendation strengthens the current counseling support system for international students at no additional cost.
• Orientation Class: Because international students confront many obstacles in becoming successful members of the SRJC and Sonoma County communities, the Counseling Department should be supported in the development of a non-credit course that would be required for all new international students who are admitted and issued an "I20" by the college. Topics will include INS and IRS regulations; SRJC policies and regulations; college and community services and programs for students; graduation and transfer requirements. The course will help students gain an understanding of the critical elements involved in living and studying successfully in this country.
• Mentoring: Many students and faculty at the college have experienced the pressures of adapting as international students. The college should explore opportunities for faculty and students to mentor new international students. Through personal contact, the mentors would facilitate the transition of international students.
• Transcript Evaluation: International students often have difficulties with evaluation of their transcripts. The college should explore opportunities to assist students with this process. This would enable students to complete the transfer requirements more efficiently, increase our graduation and transfer rates, and make SRJC a more desirable institution for international students.
• Student Health Services:

1. Assuring adequate International Student Health Insurance.

1. Research existing policies and recommending a policy to be offered to the incoming students.

1. Evaluating the Tuberculosis and vaccination records and giving recommendations to the Admissions Specialist.
2. Offering TB testing and evaluation. Assuring referrals to health systems when necessary and monitoring compliance with any recommended interventions.
3. Offering immunizations when needed.
4. Sponsoring specialized clinics to meet the initial health evaluation needs of this student population.

3. Being involved in the Student Orientation (class) so that we can make our services more accessible.
4. Identifying any special health risks that the population may have and intervening when appropriate.

* Assumes international students pay current fees of approximately $189 per unit and register for twelve units per semester.

Primary source of proposed new funding are the fees collected from enrolled international students and would not exceed 10% of current total.

• There are almost 515,000 international students currently in the United States.
• California is the leading "host state" with over 66,000 International students.
• International students contributed over 1 billion dollars to the California state economy in 2000.