Leading a faculty-led program

It is never too early to start planning! Faculty tend to be the most successful with recruiting, program enrollment, and travel logistics when they plan 1-2 years before departure!

All faculty interested in developing a faculty-led program should first consult with the International Programs Manager to discuss their goals and questions. IEE can assist faculty with program ideas, location considerations, and various models and levels of support needed to meet the needs of their program. 

For all programs, new and reoccurring, faculty leaders are responsible for obtaining approval from their department chair and college dean using the Faculty-Led Recommendation Form. New program leaders must also create a program narrative, detailed syllabus, and tentative itinerary for approval by the International Education Committee (IEC). Full IEC proposal guidelines can be found here. Reoccurring program leaders do not need to get their program re-approved if it has run (or tried to run) in the last five years.   

Please use the deadlines below to complete and submit the Recommendation Form and New Program Proposal (if necessary).

NEW PROGRAMS

Applications for future terms are reviewed on a rolling basis - program leaders do not need to wait for the deadlines to submit proposal materials.

New Faculty-Led Program Recommendation Form

Faculty-Led Study Abroad Guidelines

REOCCURRING PROGRAMS

Reoccurring programs have run (or tried to run) at least once in the last five years with the same course(s) and in the same location. 

Reoccurring Faculty-led Program Recommendation Form

FACULTY-LED PROGRAMS HANDBOOK

Below is a digital version of the Education Abroad Handbook for Faculty-Led Programs. IEE recommends reading through this material as a first step in understanding the various components and expectations required for developing and leading a program abroad. Additional questions should be directed to Karolyn Bald. 

Education Abroad Handbook for Faculty-Led Programs

Recreational programming has been defined as programs that do not provide an academic credit or a community integration (service learning) component. These programs are identified as travel intended for the enjoyment of the participant. Recreational travel arranged independently by UWL faculty or staff may be coordinated by the faculty/staff member as an individual, not as employees of UWL. UWL, in compliance with UW System, will not support programs that do not contain educational value. Students and staff participating in these non-sponsored programs do so at their own risk.

IEE can support programs in some US states or territories, however, all proposals must contain a cultural immersion component that expands students' experiences beyond the traditional boundaries of the US (via non-English language or other internationally-related aspects).  All proposals must be approved by the appropriate department(s), dean and Provost.

International Travel Risk Management for Group Travel

The health and safety of students is UWL's highest priority. In collaboration with UWL International Education & Engagement (IEE) and on-site partners, program personnel must build and plan each program component and activity with student health and safety in mind. Risks associated with travel to and study in program locations must be addressed thoroughly to ensure that the University has covered all possible aspects related to program safety to every extent possible.  All travel involving students travel will require some level of risk assessment.

IEE will:

• Coordinate an IEE Emergency Response team - available 24 hours a day through the UWL Campus, +1 608.789.9999
• Monitor various tools and resources for identifying and assessing actual or potential risk to students and staff, including providers, international medical and health insurance providers risk assessments; the U.S. Department of State (travel advisories); the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (travel health notices); the Overseas Security Advisory Council (country crime and safety reports); U.S. embassies (in countries of operation); the World Health Organization and peer institutions.
  • Review U.S. Department of State Travel Advisories regarding the health and safety conditions at all programs where UWL participants are enrolled.  Any locations at Level 3 or 4 will be automatically reviewed at any point during the application process.
    • Do not permit travel to designated DOS Restricted Travel areas unless a program leader or student has petitioned for and received special approval.
• Provide health and safety information to enable participants to make informed decisions concerning study abroad.
• Enforce the University of Wisconsin System-mandated policy requiring all students and personnel leading programs to carry UWL-identified international health insurance, which includes emergency assistance, evacuation, and repatriation.

Safety assessments:

• Monitor ongoing and evolving risks in each country, including crime, terrorism, political instability and civil unrest, natural disasters, and public health matters.  Ensure that UWL IEE and program personnel are informed about risks associated with program location and how to mitigate those risks.
  • Any locations at Level 3 or 4 will be automatically reviewed at any point during the application process.
  • No travel is permitted to designated DOS Restricted Travel areas unless a program leader or student has petitioned for and received special approval.
• Ensure that each faculty leader has developed a plan to respond to health, safety, and security issues if they arise
• Help UWL IEE respond to questions from students, parents, or any University officials about program safety
• Address any new issues that may have arisen since the previous year’s assessment
• Serve as a written record of any changes made to a program to mitigate risks and ensure student safety
• Provide an outline to share site-specific safety information to enable participants to make informed decisions concerning study abroad.

If UWL determines that a program cannot run for any risk-related reason, affected students and their home institutions will be notified as soon as possible to allow students to make alternative arrangements. Where possible, and with the approval of students’ home institutions, affected students can transfer their enrollment to another active UWL program that aligns with their academic interests.