Board Meeting
Briefing

Briefing Information for the Spring 2008 International Board Meeting

TO: Members of the Texas A&M International Board

SUBJECT: Briefing Information for the Spring 2008 International Board Meeting

Greetings from Texas.  Enclosed please find the agenda for the Spring 2008 Texas A&M International Board meeting scheduled for April 2-4 at the Reed Arena.

Allow me first to apologize for the delay in sending out the April meeting agenda. This is due to the fact that the Executive Committee of the Board, which provides input on the development of the board agenda, had a lunch meeting with our new President, Dr. Elsa Murano on February 29.

In her discussion with the International Board Executive Committee, President Murano expressed her strong commitment to globalization and her desire to have the Board address this important priority. One key area identified by President Murano is to increase the participation of Texas A&M students in international educational experiences. She has challenged the campus to increase the student participation rate at Texas A&M, currently at 2.6%, to meet or exceed the student participation rate of UT (at 5%) or other peer institutions.

As you recall, Chairman Goodman appointed a workgroup last year to review the study abroad program offerings at Texas A&M.  Three board members: Bill Way, Pablo Marvin, and Gary Richardson worked with International Programs Office (IPO) staff to provide a comprehensive report and recommendations for Board action.   This report is in the process of being updated by our staff.  The most recent version is attached.
(Attachment A)

In response to President Murano’s call for action, I have appointed a workgroup of the University advisory committee—International Programs Enhancement and Coordination Committee (IPECC) to provide preliminary recommendations on ways to increase student participation.  The Executive Committee asked that I share these preliminary recommendations with the Board to get your input at the April meeting.
(Attachment B)

In response to the feedback from Board members, the Executive Committee also suggested that International Programs identify critical areas requiring Board input and form workgroups that can work together with IPO staff and Texas A&M faculty throughout the year to provide recommendations as we respond to President Murano’s call for action.  

The following are highlights of the Spring Board meeting program:

“Dialogue with Global Leaders”  Dinner with Freshmen

We will begin our meeting with our tradition - the “Dialogue with Global Leaders” dinner.  This year we have added a social time for Board members at 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, at the University Club.  This will allow Board members to get together before the meeting with the students, which will begin at 6:00 p.m. the same day.  Based on the feedback from the freshmen students, we will provide more time for discussion with Board members, as global leaders.  We hope that each of you will participate in this very successful program with our freshmen. 

Discussion on President Murano’s call for “ Increasing International Educational Experiences for Students”

After I give a brief presentation providing a snapshot of the world and our University, we will have a panel presentation from representatives of student, faculty, and staff experts to share with you key recommendations of how to increase student participation. This panel discussion will be facilitated by Suzanne Droleskey.

The panel presentation will follow with a Board discussion on these preliminary recommendations.   The discussion will be facilitated by Board member Bill Way.

Lunch with 2008 Academy for Future International leaders

Again, as one of our traditions, the Board will meet with the 2008 Academy for Future International Leaders (AFIL) students at lunch on April 3.  The purpose of the lunch is for those of you who are mentors to the Academy students to have a chance to visit with your mentees.  It is also a critical time for you to help us finalize potential internships or projects for the Academy students during the summer.

Formation of Board Workgroups and report back to Board on follow-up plan

In response to Board recommendations to better utilize board members in addressing critical global issues facing Texas A&M, a series of workgroups will be formed. At this April meeting, workgroups will focus on identifying members, defining goals and developing action plans.

Each of the Executive Committee members will serve as the co-chair of these workgroups.  They would like to recruit a board member to join them as the co-chair.   We have enclosed a form so that you can identify in advance which workgroup you would like to participate in.   Also, if you are interested in co-chairing a workgroup, please inform the Executive Committee member assigned to that workgroup.
(Attachment C)

Each of the workgroups will have an IPO Director assigned to provide staff support.  The Directors will contact the chair of each workgroup prior to the Board meeting to provide background information.

We have set aside an hour for each of the workgroups to initiate an organizational meeting and ask that you report back to the Board for a general outline of the goal and timetable.  We have asked Board member Eun Kim to serve as the facilitator. We expect these workgroups will continue to work throughout the year.

Reception and Dinner

The Board reception and dinner will be at the Miramont Country Club.  This is an opportunity for the university community to interact with Board members.  In addition, this is the event for our annual Presidential Award of Excellence for Faculty Service to International Students. This award comes with a recognition plaque and a $2,000 check to the faculty recipient—financed by the Executive Committee members. Texas A&M faculty members and international students greatly appreciate this unique recognition by the International Board.

Meeting with President Elsa Murano

We are very pleased that President Murano will meet with International Board on Friday morning to share with the Board her priorities and her call for action.  Her interactions with the Board will help set our future agenda.

Update on Texas A&M overseas Operation and Research activities.

As a tradition, the second day of the Board meeting is focused on updates from Texas A&M overseas’ operations.  Each of these is important as Texas A&M continues to build global strategic partnerships.

The Texas A&M campus at Qatar (TAMUQ) is unique to Texas A&M history and has brought great benefits to Texas A&M faculty and students at the main campus. Dean Mark Weichold will share not only the progress made at the Qatar campus, but the benefits generated for the main campus. In addition, he will identify areas where the International Board can be of assistance to him.

Global Research Agenda

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and its related agencies have been in the forefront to develop the state and global research agenda that address issues such as alternative energy resources, water, and environmental conservations. Dr. Mark Hussey, Director of Texas AgriLife Experiment Station and Interim Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences will share with the Board some of the key research areas that have global implications.

Board Private Discussion on Future Directions

Again, we have reserved private time for Board members to reflect and to provide guidance for future directions.

I am pleased that President Murano will visit with the Board and look forward to your participation in this important Board meeting. We have a new online process to R.S.V.P. for the spring Board meeting. Whether you will or will not be in attendance for the meeting, please click the link below and complete the online form. (R.S.V.P. deadline for hotel accommodations March 12, 2008)

http://international.tamu.edu/intlboard/IBMeetForm.asp

Thank you very much for your support and continued involvement in our international program efforts.  If you need additional information, please contact my assistant, Ms. Rebekah See-Hruska at see-hruska@tamu.edu or by phone at (979) 845-3086.

Emily Y. Ashworth
Associate Vice President for International Programs