U of S announces Global Commons Project During International Week
Posted February 03, 2005
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - February 3, 2005 - 11:00 a.m. 2005-02-04-OTHER
U of S announces Global Commons Project During International Week
During International Week* celebrations at the University of Saskatchewan,
Michael Atkinson, Provost and Vice-President Academic, announced the
creation of the Global Commons - a coordinated space where students, staff
and faculty will have access to a wide range of services.
The Global Commons will house several key offices and programs including;
the International Student Office, the Study Abroad and Exchange Program, and
space for an international student lounge and meeting rooms. Opening in
September 2005, the Global Commons will be located in Lower Place Riel, one
of the busiest buildings on campus.
Atkinson said, "The Global Commons will assist the University in attracting
a more diverse group of international students. It will support these
students, promote internationalization across campus, and develop additional
opportunities for students and staff to pursue international study, work and
travel experiences abroad."
The Global Commons is expected to raise the profile of international
activities on campus. As a result, Atkinson announced the creation of a
matching funds formula that will provide faculty release-time to allow for
the development of new study abroad and exchange programs. The cost will be
shared evenly between the Provost's Office and the College of the faculty
member.
An increase to the current travel grant program will allow more students and
faculty to study and teach abroad. Grants of $500 will now be available to
students studying internationally while faculty will be eligible to apply
for grants of $1,000.
International students studying at the Centre for Second Language
Instruction (CSLI) will also see changes to their program. Beginning in May,
students taking English as a Second Language at CSLI will be granted full
student status at the University. This will allow students to access the
following services: web and email, health and counseling, Students' Union
membership, and the International Students Office among others.
The need for these changes was identified as part of the University's
Integrated Planning process and is identified as a priority in the
Integrated Plan.
"It is imperative that we train our students to be responsive to the
challenges and opportunities of the rapidly changing global society and
economy," said Atkinson. "We have recognized the need to provide more
resources in order to recruit and support international students while at
the same time dedicating services and funds for our faculty and students so
they too have a chance to study and teach abroad."
*International Week runs from January 31 to February 4, 2005 on the U of S
campus.
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For more information, please contact:
Michael Atkinson
Provost and Vice-President Academic
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-8489
Erin Taman
Communications Officer
University of Saskatchewan
Tel: (306) 966-6919
Email: erin.taman@usask.ca
