INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE
PROGRAMS FOR UNDERGRADUATE
STUDENTS
ORIGINATORS: Vice Presidents for
Academic Affairs, Business and Finance and
Student Affairs
DATE: July, 1986 (revised)
POLICY #82-10
The following policies and procedures apply to the exchange
agreements between the University of Rhode Island and several
universities in other countries. The term "international exchange
student" refers to an international student studying at URI for a
limited period of time as part of an official exchange program. "URI
exchange student" refers to a matriculated URI student who is
participating in an official exchange program. Currently, this policy
covers exchange agreements between URI and the University of Orleans
(France), the University of Hohenheim (Germany), Oxford Polytechnic
and the University of East Anglia (England), and several colleges
under the New England/Quebec arrangement (Canada). It is intended
that this policy would guide additional international exchange
agreements which may be negotiated in the future.
Study Abroad programs in which students are not exchanged and/or
the student pays the host college tuition and fees are not covered by
this policy. Agreements with Seinan Gakuin (Japan) and the University
of Connecticut (Spain and France) are not included.
ADMISSIONS:
Selection of URI students to participate in international
exchange programs shall be the responsibility of the Study Abroad
Advisor in consultation with faculty and department chairs, when
relevant. Selection will be based on the following criteria:
-QPA (minimum of 2.5)
-Language proficiency when applicable (3.0 in language courses)
-Recommendation of advisor, dean, and/or faculty
-Interview
-Written statement of plans and goals for the period of exchange
Selection of the international exchange students shall be the
responsibility of the exchange official(s) at the home institutions.
The typical deadline for acceptance as a URI exchange student is
March 15 for the fall semester and October 15 for the spring. (Few
exchanges, if any, will be made for the spring semester only.)
February 1 is the New England/Quebec Exchange deadline. For
administrative purposes, for academic advisement and for coordination
with the Study Abroad Office all international exchange students will
be assigned to University College as their administrative unit.
The Study Abroad Office and the Undergraduate Admissions Office
will work together in the assignment of an ID number for
international exchange students. A copy of page 1 of the
international student application will be sent to the Coordinator for
International Student Services for the issuance of I-20 or J-20
forms.
Under the terms of the exchange agreements, international
exchange students attend the University for a limited period of time,
either one semester or two semesters. If they wish to extend their
study beyond two semesters, they must follow normal admissions
procedures and apply as visiting students or as degree-seeking
transfer students.
TUITION AND FEES:
Tuition, Registration, Health Union and Activity Fees. URI
exchange students must pay a one-time Student Exchange Program charge
after they have been placed in an exchange institution. URI Exchange
students do not pay the Off-Campus Study Fee while on exchange. The
URI exchange student will pay the University the normal in-state or
out-of-state, or regional fee as appropriate. The URI exchange
student will also pay the registration, health, union, and activity
fees. The international exchange student will attend the University
without paying these standard fees. International exchange students
will be required to pay non-standard fees such as the music fee or
the late registration fee when such fees are incurred. The Study
Abroad Advisor will check with the Bursar to insure that any URI
exchange student is not in debt to the University.
International exchange students (except Hohenheim) will be
required to participate in URI's health insurance plan and pay its
cost. International exchange students who are on a one-semester
exchange will pay for only one semester.
URI exchange students will be required either to participate in
URI's health insurance plan for the period during which they will be
traveling and/or studying abroad or to sign a statement in the
Bursar's Office attesting to adequate coverage through some other
plan for the period of travel and study abroad.
On-campus housing will be furnished to international exchange
students. The URI exchange student will pay the University the
double-room rate for the better residence halls. As soon as possible
(usually not later than May 1) the Study Abroad Office will notify
the Office of Residential Life of the number of spaces to be
reserved. Linens will be loaned to international exchange students by
the Office of Residential Life.
Dining hall meals will be provided for the international exchange
student. By the terms of the various specific agreements, the
appropriate meal plan is paid for by the URI exchange student. The
Study Abroad Office will notify the Bursar and the Office of
Residential Life as to the appropriate meal plan.
PRE-REGISTRATION AND SCHEDULING:
International exchange students shall be allowed to pre-register.
Pre-registration forms for the international exchange students for
the fall semester must be submitted to the Registrar's Office on or
before July 1. Pre-registration forms for the spring semester must be
submitted during the normal pre-registration period.
Pre-registration forms will be completed and signed by the Study
Abroad Advisor.
The Study Abroad Advisor will assume the responsibility of
notifying the relevant department chairs of the arrival of
international exchange students and of resolving any scheduling
problems with them.
The Study Abroad Office handles the prior approval forms for
off-campus study for URI exchange students. All URI exchange students
must file a prior approval form and a release form through the
Study Abroad Office before departure from the USA.
STUDENT AFFAIRS:
International Student Services. International exchange
students will be asked to register at the International Student
House, to participate in its programs, and to benefit from its
services.
Orientation. A reception and orientation program will be
developed by the Study Abroad Office for International exchange
students at no cost to the student. Because of the terms of our
agreements and the program's cost it is not required that
international exchange students participate in the International
Student Orientation Program.
OTHER:
As soon as information is available (but no later than July 1)
the Study Abroad Advisor will provide the names of all URI and
international exchange students and other pertinent information to
the following offices: Bursar, Registrar, Residential Life, Dining
Services, Health Services, International Student Services.
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