International programs involving study abroad, formal exchanges of faculty, staff or students, or international assistance which are conducted as official programs of the State University of New York (University) or any of its entities are subject to review and approval by the chancellor or designee.

Each campus should establish a mechanism for the review of all proposed University international programs to determine that they are in conformity with the guidelines before formal approval and initiation. The mechanism shall be determined by the campus president with the advice of the appropriate campus faculty body. Existing and ongoing programs need be reviewed only if there appears to be a clear indication that they may no longer be in conformity with the guidelines. While it is expected that campus review will suffice in most cases, campuses are asked to provide information to the office of international programs, system administration, at the conclusion of each review.

The State University of New York (University) is committed to an involvement in the world. Indeed, it has an obligation to provide students with an international perspective, to host international students and scholars and, increasingly to use its resources to aid other countries in their development.

International programs involve the University with countries which have different forms of political and academic governance. It is inevitable that sensitive issues involving academic freedom, freedom to travel and other basic human rights will arise in the operation of these programs. When they do, the University and its participating faculty, students and administrators have an obligation to see that programs which we co-sponsor or participate in do not condone or directly promote the abrogation of basic human rights or the academic freedom of participating university personnel.

Furthermore, University international involvement should have real value to the University's academic program and to local people in host countries. It is in keeping with the philosophy and tradition of the University to be concerned with the needs of people, to render productive service when desired and feasible, and to seek new knowledge about important problems and processes such as those in other areas of the world. The University’s international involvement should emphasize the desirability of academic feedback — bringing the experiences gained abroad to the classroom and to the continuing professional life of the faculty. It should also stress activities which will be of genuine assistance over the long run.

Faculty members are encouraged and free as individuals to establish their own individual relationships wherever they feel such to be useful and appropriate. The following considerations apply when the University or any of its campuses become engaged in programs abroad as an institution:

1.    International involvement under University jurisdiction should support and enhance the integrity and reputation of the University and command the respect of other institutions.

2.    International activities should have a potential for significant contribution to the programs of the University.

3.    To the extent possible, international activities should lead to the development of reciprocal relationships with foreign institutions and activities, fostering faculty and student exchanges on a continuing basis.

4.    Information pertaining to relevant aspects of international activities administered by the University shall be fully disclosed to all participating faculty members and students. The University shall not undertake any activity that has concealed funding and/or undisclosed purpose or is classified in such a way as to restrict publication and general dissemination of all facts of this activity.

5.    University international exchange relationships will be encouraged with any research and educational institutions in any country of the world and in any discipline or field in which the University has competence.

6.    The willingness of the University to accept contract obligations in a foreign country will depend on the availability of personnel in the particular fields involved and in the type of assistance to be rendered as well as the nature and characteristics of the institutions to which University personnel will be attached directly.

7.    The flow of knowledge and of scholarship should not be inhibited by political or ideological boundaries. Thus, the University is prepared to enter into formal agreements with institutions in countries of various political persuasions.

8.   The University will enter into cooperative programs and technical assistance projects in any country in which (a) the conditions of work permit performance up to the professional standards of the faculty; (b) there exists the opportunity to contribute toward social, economic, cultural and developmental goals; and (c) University resources are available and personnel are interested in participating.

9.    No international program should be initiated or continued if it (a) requires the University to violate the laws or regulations of the United States, the University, or those of the host government; (b) subjects United States participants to undue physical danger or harassment; or (c) restricts academic freedom of University program participants.

10.   If on the basis of experience, it becomes clear that a contractual activity imposes unacceptable burdens that hinder University personnel from pursuing professional activities in the course of work or study and/or if conditions of work or study are such that University personnel could not pursue activities up to professionally acceptable standards, the University would not enter into or continue the program.

11.  The University wishes to engage in the introduction and strengthening of educational and developmental efforts in other countries.

12.  The University will not engage in activities that will directly strengthen the elements of repression, provide aid to the deprivation of civil liberties of local citizens, or become an instrument of revolutionary activity of a government.

13.  By entering into educational programming or technical assistance contracts with a foreign country, the University is no way endorsing the government or any other component of a society.

There are no definitions relevant to this policy.

There is no related information relevant to this policy.

There are no procedures relevant to this policy.

There are no forms relevant to this policy.

State University Board of Trustees Resolution No. 79-243 dated September 19, 1979

Memorandum to presidents from the office of the chancellor, dated October 26, 1979.

There are no appendices relevant to this policy.