A report from a University of Wisconsin faculty committee has recommended the university eliminate the Division of International Studies’ administrative function.
According to the committee’s report, the division’s core functions and majority of staff should be redistributed to other campus units that provide “more conducive bases to understand, devise, implement and provide oversight of agendas” related to international studies.
The committee, comprised of nine professors and two assistant deans, said there is widespread confusion about the identity and responsibilities of DIS. They were also told in interviews the single unit structure of DIS isolates, separates and segregates international activities and responsibilities.
“In our view, the solution is … a more systematic realignment of the architecture of international studies on campus such that lines of authority, and governance systems, are more effective, transparent and efficient,” the report said.
They added dissolving DIS will need to be closely tied to deliberations with the chancellor’s office, the provost’s office and the College of Letters and Science to further important activities related to international studies.
The report also recommends shifting oversight of International Academic Programs to the provost’s office in efforts to form better relationships with core teaching and learning units, with other titles and responsibilities of key international studies leadership also recommended to change, including the elimination of the dean’s seat for the division.
The committee also suggests the provost should establish a study abroad advisory coordinating council to share data, information and guidance as well as encourage all schools and colleges to ensure their courses with international travel components have been reviewed and recorded.
Dean of the Division of International Studies Gilles Bousquet and other division leadership staff said in a letter to Provost Paul DeLuca that the review has been stressful on staff, particularly because of how little information was shared and few indications were given of what to expect from the release of the report.
“The overall tone of the report seems unnecessarily harsh,” Bousquet said. “But the committee has offered some constructive recommendations that appear to complement our own discussions regarding the current and future role of the division.”
He added they are concerned the report does not present data and analysis to support the committee’s recommendations, writing they recommend eliminating the division without providing a serious evaluation of its human resources and other current responsibilities.
Interim Chancellor David Ward and University Committee Chair Brad Barham said in a letter to members of the committee they will collaborate with various governance groups to review and make determinations about the recommendations.
They will also appoint an interim dean of the Division of International Studies, following Bousquet’s recent appointment as the interim chancellor of UW-Eau Claire.
“The report demonstrates a great deal of work by members of your committee and clearly outlines both the challenges and opportunities which lie ahead as we consider which governance structures most make sense for UW-Madison,” Ward and Barham said in the letter.
