Plattsburgh State University – Study Abroad Policy Inquiry
What is SUNY and/or PSUNY's official policy regarding study abroad programs? Specifically, what qualifies a country as acceptable in terms of safety and security for students and staff? Under what conditions would a program be cancelled or suspended?
Also, what liability does the university carry in cases where students and/or faculty were sent under official auspices?
Could you provide me with a list of the current Study Abroad programs, related countries, and the number of students currently participating?
What is SUNY and/or PSUNY's official policy regarding study abroad programs?
SUNY Plattsburgh's policy concerning study abroad programs (as outlined in the 2005-06 College Catalog, page 32-35) is to provide students an opportunity to explore new and exciting cultures while studying at internationally respected institutions. In this era of global economics, Internet communications, and worldwide technological advancement, an understanding of other cultures and languages has become increasingly important.
Plattsburgh's study abroad programs are available in Canada, England, Australia, Mexico, and Chile. Additional programs and exchanges can be arranged through other SUNY institutions. Over 400 programs are located at leading universities throughout the world. These programs provide students with opportunities to become immersed in the academic and cultural life of the host countries. Specifically, students may study the language, literature, art, culture, history, economy, government, and social institutions of individual countries and world regions. Courses are offered in all academic fields (French immersion, Spanish, economics, literature, science, computer science, history, politics, sociology, geography, and anthropology, to mention a few). Students who meet the minimum GPA requirements range of 2.5 to 3.0 are eligible to apply for any study abroad program administered by Plattsburgh or other SUNY institutions.
Credits earned through a SUNY-approved study abroad site are applicable toward a student's degree requirements at SUNY Plattsburgh provided a grade of C or better is earned in the course. The final grades and credit hours are recorded on the Plattsburgh transcript but are not factored into the GPA. All students must complete a minimum of 36 credit hours at Plattsburgh but students completing their final course in a SUNY-sponsored study abroad and/or student exchange program are exempt from the requirement that 30 of their last 36 credits be completed at Plattsburgh. Any semester-long, approved, satisfactorily completed study abroad program will satisfy the Perspectives or Integration requirement of the General Education Program.
Specifically, what qualifies a country as acceptable in terms of safety and security for students and staff?
At SUNY Plattsburgh, we currently have study abroad programs at 10 sites in four countries. These programs have been in existence for years. A number of students from other colleges participate in our study abroad programs. SUNY Plattsburgh students, as I mentioned before, can also arrange to attend many other programs that have been established through other colleges and universities around the world.
When a new study abroad program is proposed at SUNY Plattsburgh, officials review a number of factors, including safety and security. We evaluate information from official government resources, news agencies, and sources we have contact with at the location of the proposed site. A determination is then made based on the information we have at that time.
Under what conditions would a program be cancelled or suspended?
We would terminate an agreement with a site if we believed it was not in the best interest of our students, the college, or our mission. We would suspend a program if we had information that the program was not meeting the educational requirements that were originally outlined. We would also suspend a program if we believed that the safety of our students and faculty participating in the program was in jeopardy. The safety issues are as diverse as weather, environmental hazards, a student's health and even social instability.
What liability does the university carry in cases where students and/or faculty were sent under official auspices?
The State University of New York, of which SUNY Plattsburgh is a
member
institution, is a division of the State of New York. New
York is a self-insured entity. We also participate in a medical and
security evacuation policy that provides coverage for all students
participating in study abroad programs through Plattsburgh and SUNY.
Could you provide me with a list of the current Study Abroad Programs, related countries, and the number of students currently participating?
Here is the information you requested.
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM COUNTRY # OF STUDENTS
Bond University Australia 11
Chester University College UK
2
Concordia University Canada 1
McGill University Canada
1
Oaxaca Mexico 7
Universidad de Monterrey Mexico 3
University
of Central Lancashire UK 8
University of New South Wales Australia
4
University of Queensland Australia 1
University of Wollongong
Australia 1