Foreign Scholars/Researchers At UNL
During the past two decades UNL has been host to an increasing number of visiting scholars, some of whom are employed to teach on a temporary basis, some of whom are invited to lecture or give colloquia, but most of whom are engaged in post-doctoral research. They come to UNL for access to specialized laboratories and libraries, to collaborate and consult with colleagues in an international setting and to explore academic or other professional activities in the U.S. The substantial number of foreign post-docs is a commentary on the American labor market, which offers more remunerative employment options to domestic graduates. As U.S. higher education continues to forge linkages with institutions abroad, however, there will surely be even greater collaboration between U.S. and foreign faculty in the future. Today foreign scholars form a significant component of the University’s research efforts but, unlike foreign students, they have not always received the attention warranted by their special status and the needs faced by them and their families
What, then, are the expectations and needs that foreign scholars bring to U.S. institutions and how do they differ from those of foreign students? Perhaps the most important difference is related to the matter of status. Many scholars are senior in rank and experience; they do not see themselves as students. They are generally more mature members of the professional community, faculty members, advanced researchers, post-doctoral scholars or short-term visitors. The nature and duration of their appointments require unique arrangements for housing, and institutional and community networks. The list of needs which face the scholar may appear very similar to those of a student but a conscious effort must be made to distinguish between those two groups and to acknowledge the scholar’s needs with appropriate services, sensitivity and expertise.
Reception of the Foreign Scholar
One function that can not be over-emphasized is that of the reception of the foreign scholar. The reception of the scholar to the campus may vary with the nature of the funding source and the designation of responsibilities within the institution. The scholar who is employed by UNL is automatically integrated into a set of formal personnel procedures. That foreign scholar has particular interaction with the responsible U.S. faculty member and department. However, the scholar who is not on the University payroll will more often by affected by a completely different set of procedures. The connection to UNL can be even more tenuous if the University does not issue visa documents. For these scholars departments are strongly encouraged to process a formal appointment, including the PAF, as a Visiting Professor, Scientist, Research Associate etc. without salary, to provide recognition both during the stay at UNL and for the scholar’s resume documenting this experience. In any event, special reception arrangements are appropriate
Peer Association Suffers
There are many instances where the academic exchange experience of the visiting scholar suffers from a limited peer association. In other situations there is a more comprehensive collegial relationship with broad integration into the department, the university and the surrounding community. Since scholars are not enrolled in an academic or degree cycle, they frequently experience marginality as neither student nor faculty. Often responsibility to assist the scholar to integrate into the academic community is not delegated within departments. Why, since these scholars are regarded as mature and experienced, does it matter to be concerned about the quality of our services to them? Simply put, many are experiencing life at a U.S. institution for the first time, and, for others, after an absence of many years. Conditions, rules, regulations and lifestyles have changed. These scholars have made significant investments of their professional careers and frequently their own resources to join American higher education and to enter into the vast network of international scholarly mobility. Intrinsically, they merit our attention. As well, when UNL seeks to strengthen the international dimension of its curricula, and to foster international scholarly research, foreign scholars become an integral part of those worthy enterprises.
Adapted from "The Foreign Scholar’s Experience A Concern for Quality" a Working Paper published by the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs partially supported by a grant from the U.S. Information Agency 1986.
