New Look for ECU's International Activites
This article describes the increase in the number of international students attending ECU and the impact of that increase on the campus. This and other articles may be found in the University Archives.
Citation for this article is: "A New Look for ECU's International Activites," Compass Points, October, 1995.
The Office of International Programs is undergoing some dramatic changes, designed to make East Carolina University one of the two major players within the State international activities.
Beginning with a name change, paperwork has begun for approval by the UNC General Administration for this unit to be named for its principle benefactors, Thomas W. and Izabel B. Rivers. With plans on track, The Rivers Center for International Affairs plans to be in operation by the spring semester.
In making the transformation, the unit has begun using stationary simple listed as "International Affairs," and publications which have to go [to] press before the official approval is granted will bear this simple designation.
Why the change? International Affairs has begun to implement several plans for a much broader international dimensionat ECU. A subdivision which will actively promote the University for international degree-seeking students has been started, and the goal is to increase by nearly double the number of students in this classification by next fall. According to the new Director, within afive year period, it is expected that at least 500 international students will be matriculated in undegraduate and graduate programs at ECU, representing countries around the world.
In study abroad and exchanges, a more aggressive campaign is gearing up to increase the number of ECU students traveling abroad in any given year, again with a goal within three academic years of some 400. These programs are being developed wiht a variety of schools and departments, and represent what is seen as even a modest nuber at that level, for a university with as instiutional profile such as ECU's.
International Study Programs are getting a boost and a face lift, with the Master of International Studies housed within the College of Arts and Sciences, receiving central support from International Affairs. Its Director, Dr. Don Spence, is Associate Director of International Affairs and virtually all of its advisory board is involved with the revived Area Studies Committees which are renewing their activites under sponsorship of the International Affairs operation.
And too, the campus-wide international studies minor is going to be reviewed to make it more attractive to a large number of students at ECU. Presently, the average seeking this degree since the late 1980's has been 3.5 students yearly, and with an ambitious scheme in mind, the number is expected to rise within several hundred within a three to four year period.
