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Show A 1 WJ J Internationalizing of WSU occurs thru students, experiences By Donna O'Steen Staff writer of The Synpost A strategic planning task force to look at WSU's prospects of international relations. "We're investigating what sort of policy we ought to create," Robert B. Smith, vice-president of Academic Affairs said. This program is also a part of Continuing Education's function. They are developing ties with groups in Taiwan and possibly Korea, said Smith. Students who are on contracts, such as Japan Airlines (JAL) are not able to use Continuing Education's resources. Smith recently received a copy of a draft that will look at creating a formal international relations policy. The draft explores possible activities that would give students a better opportunity to get an international perspective, he said. "The university sees this as a major issue . . .because our mission statement does not say we will get heavily involved in international v J - - '4 "2 A Drawing in both traditional and non-traditional modes Hiking and camping at intermediate skill levels required LLJ First class meeting: Wednesday, Aug. 28, from 6:00 - 9:00 in the Collett Art Gallery For more information, call (801) 626 6455 or 626 6424. 1- 8km i programs," Smith said. It does say that one of WSU's purposes is to help familiarize students with unfamiliar cultures. One way of accomplishing that objective is to put students in contact with students of other cultures and give them the opportunity to travel to other countries. This policy would also pertain to faculty, who are encouraged to work in international universities so they may bring back a different perspective for those students who can't attend themselves. "We ought to say this is a priority because we live in a very small world. We cannot afford to be parochially isolated." Smith returned from Lithuania last Friday. This is one of the pro-term projects that he was speaking of. Several students also went along to try and assist the students at Weber's sister school there, Vytautas Magnus University, in setting up student government and newspaper staffs as well as other organizations. Next fall, WSU expects to begin sending instructors and students over. Lithuanian students are not able to afford the expense of traveling to the United States. Therefore, Weber would have to assist them with getting here, health care, room and board, etc. according to Smith. But he said he believes that the relationship is important. "I think the way I sum up in my own mind what we have done there is - an entire nation doggedly determined to be - to recapture something they lost 50 years ago that they can't quite remember the nature of," he said. Smith also said that Lithuania is modeling their higher education system after the United States. 'They've go to break away from Russian influence," he said. 'The role Weber State can play Make the LBS Institute part of your summer plans! Classses start June 17th. Join us for summer fun at our friday night activities. Class schedule available in LDS Institute office. Boz Edvalson few mm ipi r-"" -r;f -'V;Sr Hi 1 in that is an extension of what we started this trip." When students do travel to Lithuania from Weber, they will be required to learn about their culture and also participate in community service activities. Smith said he isn't certain which countries might be recruited for WSU's international agenda. "Gee, who knows. ..three weeks ago I didn't much see a point in Lithuania," he said. He was part of WSU's dele-gratio that was sent to Vytautas Magnus University from May 6-16. "It's almost a random shot. ..I would not target any particular country." "I think there's a general realization in Utah that if we're going to thrive as a state economy we cannot be isolated from the rest of the world." Because of Utah's need for the manufacturing industry to automate and modernize if they are going to remain competitive, models from Japan and Europe should be considered, he said. Therefore, we should look closely at trying to bring more of these students into WSU and subsequently into the Utah area he said. There is a continuing migration to the U.S. from Latin America and for that reason Smith said he feels they ought to also be considered.Oxford Polytechnical in England, which is very similar to Weber is also being considered, Smith said. Japan already sponsors several programs at WSU through JAL. Smith said that WSU's international objectives may appear to be contradictory to the new idea of a "metropolitan" university. f LORDW&r FORMALWAR ! I 1 1 V a ( r - r 1 ; , tonv Quality Fashion Formal Wear PARIS pierre cardin 393-0929 SO E. 4600 S. Woshington Tarroc Terrace Shopping Center |