International Student & Scholar Services

International Programs

International Student Advisory Board

Introduction

The International Student Advisory Board (ISAB@Penn) was formally launched during a dinner last Thursday, February 1, 2007 at the Sheraton Hotel. On behalf of the ISSS staff and Dr. McCarthy, let me express my thanks for a wonderful dinner and a memorable evening!!! It is indeed a great honor to assemble a group of dedicated individuals to share the same mission of internationalization.

ISSS received an overwhelming response from international students (116 applicants) and the selection was very difficult. The first ever ISAB@Penn consists of 30 international students from 29 countries and 11 schools.

Congratulations are in order for Zehua Li and Alex Giannakakis for being elected by the board members during the dinner as the first co-Chairs for the year 2007-2008.

Please be reminded that the next meetings for this semester will be February 22, Thursday, 5:30 pm and April 5, Thursday, 5:30 pm. Thanks to Tony Lambino (ISAB member) and GAPSA for sponsoring the dinner for the February 22 meeting!

Again, let me reiterate my appreciation for the work that you will do during the coming year.

Sincerely,

Rodolfo R. Altamirano, Ph.D.
Director, International Student & Scholar Services

Purpose

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), part of the University of Pennsylvania's Office of International Programs, is committed to providing the best possible support for international students, so they are able to reach their academic and personal development goals while at Penn.

The International Student Advisory Board @Penn was created to provide the Director of ISSS and other administrators with advice and guidance to help make the university a more warm, welcoming and respectful environment for international students. The Board provides a forum for open discussion, leadership development, and collaboration in the interest of positive change. This dialogue is valuable to our ongoing efforts to create a climate on campus conducive to international educational exchange.

The purpose of the International Student Advisory Board @Penn is to provide feedback concerning ISSS programs, outreach, website, services and general effectiveness. Board members will also give feedback to other Penn units upon request.

Board Composition

The board will be composed of undergraduate and graduate international students, international students appointed by the Director of ISSS, and a staff member of ISSS. Additional individuals from the University may attend as invited guests.

2007-2008 International Student Advisory Board Members

Board Members' Role and Duties

Members of the International Student Advisory Board @Penn attend two (2) meetings per semester (Spring and Fall). Board members may decide to add another meeting at their discretion or as the need arises. Board members must attend a majority of the board meetings, and cannot miss more than two consecutive meetings for the entire year.
Members of the International Student Advisory Board share their questions, concerns and ideas with administrators, and then communicate with their fellow students about the Board's role at Penn by allowing University officials to engage in dialogue with students about their experiences on campus and about their ideas for improving our campus atmosphere for international students
Members of the International Student Advisory Board should facilitate positive and effective communications between their constituents and ISSS.
Members of the International Student Advisory Board should participate in, help promote, and provide feedback on several ISSS initiatives (e.g., satisfaction surveys, focus groups, open forums, programs) per year, as well as on a periodic basis.

Members of the International Student Advisory Board are encouraged to submit suggested agenda items or topics for discussion in advance of meetings to Rodolfo R. Altamirano, Director of ISSS and/or the ISAB@Penn co-Chairs.

Terms of Board Service

One academic year is the term. Board members have the option to step down at the end of the year (in May) but may return for a second year. Regular participation in the board's activities is essential and expected in order to be effective. Agendas and minutes will be posted on the ISSS web site for all to view, including any presentations or proposals presented to the group. The International Student Advisory Board will decide whether or not to convene at least one open forum per year to discuss international community issues or to seek other venues for community input. Meeting agendas are set in advance by the ISSS Director and the Graduate and Undergraduate Co-Chairs of the Board. Meeting agendas are developed with the invited input of all Board members.

Co-Chairs' Role and Duties

Co-Chairs of the International Student Advisory Board @Penn should represent both the undergraduate and graduate student constituents.
Co-Chairs attend two (2) meetings per semester (Spring and Fall). In consultation with the Board members and the Director of ISSS, they may decide to add another meeting at their discretion or as the need arises.
Co-Chairs must coordinate with each other in preparing the agenda for the meetings, taking minutes and set the direction of the ISAB@Penn.
Co-Chairs oversee the development of special projects, manage communication strategies, address program and policy issues and coordinate liaisons with other Penn stakeholders.

Meeting Evaluations

An overall evaluation of the effectiveness of the Advisory Board process will be conducted in April of each year and will be posted on the ISSS web site.

	International Programs Penn Abroad \| ISSS \| IA@Penn
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ISSS received an overwhelming response from international students (116 applicants) and the selection was very difficult. The first ever ISAB@Penn consists of 30 international students from 29 countries and 11 schools. Congratulations are in order for Zehua Li and Alex Giannakakis for being elected by the board members during the dinner as the first co-Chairs for the year 2007-2008. Please be reminded that the next meetings for this semester will be February 22, Thursday, 5:30 pm and April 5, Thursday, 5:30 pm. Thanks to Tony Lambino (ISAB member) and GAPSA for sponsoring the dinner for the February 22 meeting! Again, let me reiterate my appreciation for the work that you will do during the coming year. Sincerely, Rodolfo R. Altamirano, Ph.D. Director, International Student & Scholar Services Purpose International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), part of the University of Pennsylvania's Office of International Programs, is committed to providing the best possible support for international students, so they are able to reach their academic and personal development goals while at Penn. The International Student Advisory Board @Penn was created to provide the Director of ISSS and other administrators with advice and guidance to help make the university a more warm, welcoming and respectful environment for international students. The Board provides a forum for open discussion, leadership development, and collaboration in the interest of positive change. This dialogue is valuable to our ongoing efforts to create a climate on campus conducive to international educational exchange. The purpose of the International Student Advisory Board @Penn is to provide feedback concerning ISSS programs, outreach, website, services and general effectiveness. Board members will also give feedback to other Penn units upon request. Board Composition The board will be composed of undergraduate and graduate international students, international students appointed by the Director of ISSS, and a staff member of ISSS. Additional individuals from the University may attend as invited guests. 2007-2008 International Student Advisory Board Members Board Members' Role and Duties Members of the International Student Advisory Board @Penn attend two (2) meetings per semester (Spring and Fall). Board members may decide to add another meeting at their discretion or as the need arises. Board members must attend a majority of the board meetings, and cannot miss more than two consecutive meetings for the entire year. Members of the International Student Advisory Board share their questions, concerns and ideas with administrators, and then communicate with their fellow students about the Board's role at Penn by allowing University officials to engage in dialogue with students about their experiences on campus and about their ideas for improving our campus atmosphere for international students Members of the International Student Advisory Board should facilitate positive and effective communications between their constituents and ISSS. Members of the International Student Advisory Board should participate in, help promote, and provide feedback on several ISSS initiatives (e.g., satisfaction surveys, focus groups, open forums, programs) per year, as well as on a periodic basis. Members of the International Student Advisory Board are encouraged to submit suggested agenda items or topics for discussion in advance of meetings to Rodolfo R. Altamirano, Director of ISSS and/or the ISAB@Penn co-Chairs. Terms of Board Service One academic year is the term. Board members have the option to step down at the end of the year (in May) but may return for a second year. Regular participation in the board's activities is essential and expected in order to be effective. Agendas and minutes will be posted on the ISSS web site for all to view, including any presentations or proposals presented to the group. The International Student Advisory Board will decide whether or not to convene at least one open forum per year to discuss international community issues or to seek other venues for community input. Meeting agendas are set in advance by the ISSS Director and the Graduate and Undergraduate Co-Chairs of the Board. Meeting agendas are developed with the invited input of all Board members. Co-Chairs' Role and Duties Co-Chairs of the International Student Advisory Board @Penn should represent both the undergraduate and graduate student constituents. Co-Chairs attend two (2) meetings per semester (Spring and Fall). In consultation with the Board members and the Director of ISSS, they may decide to add another meeting at their discretion or as the need arises. Co-Chairs must coordinate with each other in preparing the agenda for the meetings, taking minutes and set the direction of the ISAB@Penn. Co-Chairs oversee the development of special projects, manage communication strategies, address program and policy issues and coordinate liaisons with other Penn stakeholders. Meeting Evaluations An overall evaluation of the effectiveness of the Advisory Board process will be conducted in April of each year and will be posted on the ISSS web site.
	International Programs Penn Abroad \| ISSS \| IA@Penn