Emphasis Two: Internationalism

In keeping with its mission as a research university as well as an undergraduate college, Dartmouth displays an admirable desire to ensure that its reputation becomes as strong internationally as it has always been within the United States. To that end, the self-study report proposes a number of measures that would enhance the international visibility of the College as well as the international climate on campus. It is not clear, however, how widespread acceptance of this vision is within the wider College community, nor is it clear how much willingness there is to devote additional resources to such an effort.

The strengths of Dartmouth's own study abroad programs are readily apparent to the members of the visiting committee. Any efforts to support and enhance these already strong programs can only have productive outcomes. On the other hand, a move to increase the recruitment and admission of international students, proposed within the self-study, would need considerably more thought and discussion within the community. In particular, the effects of such a move on Dartmouth's financial aid budget, as well as the additional pressures it would place on the admissions process, need to be given careful attention and discussed widely to ensure that the implicit tradeoffs are understood and accepted by the whole community.

Dartmouth has sought with some success to internationalize its faculty, and many faculty members with degrees from U.S. universities have achieved international reputations on the basis of their publishing. A number of faculty members spend time in other countries either directing one of Dartmouth's many Foreign Study Programs or doing research. We suggest that those committed to the internationalism initiative should consider the development of this aspect of intellectual and social life at Dartmouth in light of the following questions: How might the various kinds of internationalism elaborated in your self-study be integrated into a coherent project? What would such a project do for Dartmouth students and faculty? How would the faculty and courses in the area studies programs (mentioned under internationalism in your self-study) contribute to this project? How will your project build on students' FSP and LSP experiences when they return to Dartmouth? By exploring such questions, Dartmouth will ensure that the internationalism initiative has the most meaningful impact possible.