Faculty Exchange Policy

    International faculty exchanges are administered jointly by the university's divisions of Academic Affairs and External Affairs. International activities and academic exchanges are encouraged wherever those relationships fulfill the University's mission of teaching, research, and service. Bridgewater State University has developed and maintains institutional relationships and connections designed to promote faculty and student exchange and provide an ongoing commitment of financial and human resources to ensure the success of the programs of exchange. Mutual benefit is the key to successful international exchanges. Departments and colleges should assess participant expectations in both institutions to ensure exchanges match at the appropriate institutional level.

 

    Academic exchange is defined by the policy as formal two-way relationships involving faculty between another institution and Bridgewater State University. As part of a university-wide policy and procedure for submission of proposals for international exchange, proposals for exchange are encouraged. Successful exchanges require planning and commitment by the department or college initiating the exchange and applicants are required to seek support and approval from their departments and college prior to submitting to the Executive Director of the Center for International Engagement and then the Provost and Vice-President for Academic Affairs a detailed proposal for approval. Once academic approval has been granted the proposal is submitted to the Vice-President of External Affairs to seek reciprocal support from the partnering institution.

Partnerships

    Bridgewater State University currently has formed twenty-four faculty/student partnerships with foreign institutions. With the establishment of the Center for International Engagement and the formation of its strategic plan, greater emphasis has been placed on expanding faculty exchanges both from partner institutions and from within our faculty. As a result, policies regarding faculty exchanges from Bridgewater to partner institutions are essential for academic planning purposes and in order to provide our faculty with clear direction on the terms under which exchanges will be approved and supported. An approved, faculty exchange agreement will include a detailed memorandum of understanding as an addendum to the university's existing Partnership Agreement. The Center for International Engagement (CIE) is responsible for the administration of the agreement. Funding for faculty exchanges is administered through the Division of External Affairs, which provides services and resources to ensure that these experiences are done in a safe, healthy and legal manner.

Faculty Exchanges

  • Bridgewater State University encourages and supports sabbatical exchanges, for one semester or two semesters, with partner institutions

  • Bridgewater State University encourages short-term exchanges during the summer months with partner institutions, but does not normally provide financial support.

  • Bridgewater State University encourages and supports application for Fulbright awards and other international fellowships.

Application Process

 

    Faculty must submit a request for exchange to the Executive Director of the Center for International Engagement six months prior to the start date of the exchange. Department chair and dean's approvals are required before submission to the Director of the Center for International Engagement. Final approval rests with the Provost and Vice-President of Academic Affairs.

 

Logistics

 

    Faculty should consider the following when making decisions and applications for international exchange:

 

    Travel Costs 

  • Round Trip airfare is provided to BSU faculty on sabbatical/exchanges, if associated with the terms of the partnership agreement.

  • Bridgewater State University faculty on sabbatical/exchanges may be asked to represent the university on matters related to the partnership agreement.

  • Faculty receive no per diem while on the sabbatical/exchange.

    Housing 

  • The partner institutions when approving an exchange in most cases agree to provide faculty housing.

  • If the faculty member prefers to find alternative housing that cost is born by the individual faculty member.

          Health Care 

  • Faculty members traveling abroad on exchanges can use their health plans to pay for medical care.

  • Faculty members are also advised to download an insurance card that is supported by Bridgewater State's institutional insurer.

o   The card from Executive Assistance Services provides a wide-range of contacts and advice regarding health care

     outside the United States.

o   See the Executive Director of the Center for International Engagement for information on this health care card.

·        Compensation 

  • Exchange compensation is addressed through the regular sabbatical arrangements.

  • Faculty in some instances receive a stipend from the host institution for teaching.

·         Liability Protection 

  • Faculty members on exchanges are covered for any event up to one million dollars.

Click here to be taken to the Faculty Exchange Form.

Last Modified: May 11, 2011