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SON FRASER UNIVERSITY
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S,92-44
OFFICE OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT, ACADEMIC
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MEMORANDUM ?
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To: ?
Senate
From: ?
J.M. Munro, Chair, Senate Committee on Academic Planning
Subject: ?
Proposed Policy on International Activities
Date: ?
17
June, 1992
At the March meeting of Senate, there was discussion about the need for the University to
have a policy to govern the establishment of relationships with overseas governments
and institutions. The Chair indicated that a policy would be prepared for consideration by
Senate.
Gregg Macdonald, Director, International Cooperation has prepared the proposed policy
which includes assessment guidelines and human rights considerations. The proposal
calls for the establishment of a new standing committee of Senate: the Senate Committee
on International Activities. This Committee would review proposals to ensure
compliance with the policy and would make recommendations to the President.
The policy has been reviewed by the Deans and the Senate Committee on Academic
Planning has recommended the following action:
Motion: ?
"that Senate approve and recommend approval to the Board of
Governors as set out in S.92-44 the proposed policy on International
Activities, and that when the Board has approved the policy, the
Senate Committee on International Activities shall
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be
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established."
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SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY
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OFFICE
OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION
MEMORANDUM
To: J.M. Munro, Chair, Senate Commitee on Academic Planning
From: Gregg Macdonald, Director, International Cooperation
Subject: Draft Policy on International Activities
Date: June 8, 1992
The University is becoming increasingly active in international
programming through a growing number of academic exchange relationships,
development research initiatives and aid projects. In 1985, the Office of
International Cooperation was established to provide support services and the
President's Advisory Committee on International Cooperation (PACIC) was
created to ensure that institutionally-based international programmes properly
reflected the University's academic interests. PACIC drew its membership from
all Faculties and was responsible for making "recommendations to the President
concerning the desirabilty of entering or not entering into specific contracts and
agreements."
During 1987, several specialized program committees were set up with
their members choosen to reflect area expertise relevant to individual projects.
These included the the Certificate in Chinese Studies Program Steering
Committee and the Indonesia Project Advisory Committee. In the same year,
PACIC was disbanded and its responsibilities were assumed by the Committee of
Deans, chaired by the Vice President, Academic.
Between 1986 and the end of the current calendar year, it is anticipated that
the University will have received approximately $60 million in externally-
funded contracts and contribution agreements to support Official Development
Assistance projects. Additional funds are committed to support student and
faculty exchange activities and to undertake development research projects.
Given the magnitude of international activities within the University, their
effect on academic planning, and concerns linking development to human
rights, it is appropriate that Senate should play a role in ensuring that
institutionally-sanctioned international activities are consistent with the
University's academic and other institutional values.
The draft Policy on International Activities which I have attached has
been reviewed by the Deans and amended on their advice. I propose that it be
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placed before the Senate Committee on Academic Planning for consideration.
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UNIVERSITY POLICY ON INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES
1.0 GENERAL
International activities at Simon Fraser University include study-abroad
programmes for domestic students, an international student presence on
campus, academic exchange agreements with foreign institutions, and initiatives
taken by individual faculty members as part of their regular research, teaching
and service responsibilities. The University also engages in development
assistance projects that contribute to an improved quality of life in developing
countries, complement the University's academic mission and support the
University's role as a responsible and responsive international centre of higher
learning.
These activities impose on the University and its members the responsibility to
ensure that international activities are consistent with institutional values,
especially when the policies and practices of a host government overseas may be
subject to criticism.
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2.0
POLICY PURPOSE
Whether international activities are sponsored by individuals or by the
institution, policy guidance is required to safeguard the University's reputation,
ensure the proper disposition of University resources, and assist in making
informed judgements about the desirability of specific international agreements.
This Policy provides conditions, assessment principles and procedures to guide
decisions affecting University participation in cases where the institution's name
or resources are associated with an international activity.
3.0 POLICY APPLICABILITY
3.1 ?
This Policy applies to international activities that are to be conducted in
whole or in part outside Canada and that are to be undertaken by the
University on the basis of a contract, contribution agreement or letter of
understanding signed by the President.
3.2 International activities not requiring the signature of the President that
are entered into by academic or administrative units shall be compatible
with the spirit of this Policy and shall be reported for information to the
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Senate Committee on International Activities. Where such activities
involve credit instruction, they shall require the approval of the Faculty
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involved and the Senate. Where such activites involve credit instruction,
they shall require the approval of the Faculty involved and Senate.
3.3 ?
International activities undertaken by individual faculty, staff or students
on their own behalf are not covered by this Policy.
4.0 ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES
The following conditions shall be taken into account when assessing the
desirability of entering into an international agreement:
4.1 the activity complements the University's academic mission and meets its
academic standards;
4.2 the activity conforms to all current University policies with particular
attention to those policies governing academic freedom, research and ethics;
4.3 the activity conforms to the legal rights and obligations enshrined in
international laws, covenants and declarations to which Canada is a
signatory;
4.4 the activity mitigates rather than abets the violation of human rights;
4.5 the activity has either a neutral or a beneficial effect on the environment;
4.6 the activity supports the equitable participation of women;
4.7 the activity supports the participation of minority peoples;
4.8 the activity, in both its planning and its implementation, embodies practices
that advance partnership with the people most affected by the undertaking;
4.9 the activity is designed to protect the safety of University personnel on
overseas assignment;
4.10 the activity guarantees University control over student access to its study
programs; and
4.11 the activity acknowledges University authority to select and administer its
own personnel.
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5.0 HUMAN RIGHTS CONSIDERATIONS
From time to time, international activities will be proposed in countries where
there may be ethical concerns about the possible denial of human rights. It is the
University's responsibility to determine to the best of its ability that the activities
it engages in contribute to the dignity and well being of its foreign partners and
do not act as instruments of abuse.
When assessing the human rights implications of any international activity, the
following principles shall apply:
5.1 The practices of an international activity taking place within a country
governed by an abusive political regime should be assessed on their own
merits.
5.2 The closer the connection between an international activity and a foreign
agency that is known to abuse human rights, or the closer the connection
to the offending practices themselves, the less acceptable the University's
participation.
5.3 Individuals who live under an abusive regime should not be additionally
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penalized by being denied access to assistance through international
cooperation.
5.4 The desirability of University involvement in an international activity
should increase in proportion to the benefits bestowed locally on
individuals and communities as a consequence of the activity.
5.5 Without abrogating the University's academic values, the culture of a host
country should be taken into account and treated with sensitivity when
assessing the human rights implications of an international activity.
5.6 While respecting cultural differences, the principle of academic freedom
must be upheld in all international activities involving the University and
a foreign partner.
5.7 International activities should assist local recipients of assistance to
make informed judgements about human rights.
6.0 THE SENATE COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES (SCIA)
6.1
Designation
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The Senate Committee on International Activities (SCIA) is a Standing
Committee (Reporting Category "B".)
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6.2
Membership
Members
Vice President, Academic
(or designate)
Senator (Faculty Member)
Senator (Faculty Member)
Senator (Faculty Member)
Senator (At-large)
Senator (Student)
Secretary (Non-voting)
Conditions ?
Term
Chair
Elected by and from Senate
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2 years
Elected by and from Senate
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2 years
Elected by and from Senate ?
2 years
Elected by and from Senate ?
2 years
Elected by and from Senate
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2 years
Director of International Cooperation
The Committee shall meet once each semester or at the call of the Chair.
Quorum shall be a simple majority of the voting members.
6.3 Terms of Reference
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6.3.1 To ensure
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(roposa1s for international activities requiring presidential
signature
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the conditions and criteria established by the University
Policy on International Activities.
6.3.2 To advise the President with respect to the desirability of entering into
international activities that are to be conducted in whole or in part outside
Canada and that are proposed to be undertaken by the University on the
basis of a contract, contribution agreement or letter of understanding
signed by the Presidentef re
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6.3.3 To maintain an overview and familiarity with international agreements
not requiring the signature of the President that are entered into by
academic or administrative units.
6.3.4 To report annually to Senate.
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6.4 Procedures
6.4.1 The Committee shall be provided with copies of international activity
proposals and whatever other information is needed to administer this
Policy, based on procedures to be determined by the Committee.
6.4.2 Every proposal shall indicate that it has the approval of the appropriate
Chair, Director or Faculty Dean and shall contain a statement of goals and
objectives, a clear disclosure of the proposed activities and a budget.
6.4.3 Proposals shall be accompanied by verification that the prospective parties
to the activity have been given a
copy of the University Policy on
International Activities.
6.4.4 Proposals shall be submitted to the Secretary of SCIA for distribution to the
Committee.
6.4.5 The Committee shall review each proposal to ensure compliance with
the University Policy on International Activities and shall recommend
acceptance, modification or rejection to the President, and/or to the
Senate, as may be required.
6.4.6 International agreements not requiring the President's signature that have
been entered into by academic or administrative units shall be reported for
information to the Senate Committee on International Activities by the
Secretary of SCIA. For this purpose, it is the responsibility of the
signatories to such agreements to provide the Secretary with appropriate
documentation.
6.4.7 Where there is concern on the part of
SCIA that any international activity
which uses the University's name or resources may be in non-compliance
with this Policy, the Committee shall be entitled to receive further
information and shall report to the President regarding any violations that
may be discovered.
6.4.8 Copies of international activity contracts or other agreements shall be kept
on file in the Office of International Cooperation and shall be open for
inspection by members of the University community.
7.0 INTERPRETATION
Questions of Policy interpretation or application shall be referred to the President
whose decision shall be final.
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As
approved by Senate July 6, 1992
