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Hosting Visiting Scholars at Worcester State College

Goals:

Worcester State College seeks to enhance the international dimensions of its research and teaching activities through the presence of visiting scholars on campus. Our goals are to promote greater involvement of visiting scholars in research, teaching and service on the campus and in the community, to ensure clarity as to the resources and benefits provided by the institution to individual visiting scholars, where applicable, and to obtain compliance with all federal regulations related to international visiting scholars.

Visiting scholars include those individuals invited by Worcester State College from abroad who are:

• Conducting research or teaching on campus
• Participating in institution sponsored programs
• Eligible to receive a J-1 visa

Visiting Scholars may be supported by governmental or private agencies or they may be self-funded.
 

Procedures

A.  The process for inviting and hosting international visiting scholars at Worcester State College is outlined below. A hosting department planning to invite a visiting scholar to WSC must submit a Visiting Scholar Appointment Form to the office of Vice President for Academic Affairs via the Director of the International Programs. The form shall include the following information, needed to complete the visa application process.

• The full name of the visiting scholar as it appears on the passport.
• The city of birth and birth date.
• The proposed length of stay.
• The source(s) of funding support
• Additional commitments the department plans to make to the scholar (providing office space, access to classes etc.).
• The primary responsibilities assigned to the visiting scholar while on campus.

B.  The office of Vice President for Academic Affairs reviews the recommendation. Upon acceptance of the recommendations, the Vice President for Academic Affairs sends a letter of invitation to the Scholar and to the hosting department. The invitation clarifies the institution’s support (such as office space, computer access, etc) to the Visiting Scholar. Copies are sent to the International Programs, and to the hosting Department.

C.  Upon receiving the information from the Office of Vice-President for Academic affairs, the Office of International Programs establishes a Visiting Scholar file, prepares and sends the DS2019 Form needed by the scholar to obtain a visa.

D.  The International Programs informs the visiting scholar concerning all the DS2019 regulations, especially those concerning appropriate insurance coverage for the scholar. Scholars are informed that, upon arrival at WSC, they must provide evidence of insurance coverage to the International Programs, or to purchase an insurance coverage from a designated insurance company.

E.   Upon arrival at WSC and with completion of mandatory reporting to the International Programs, the visiting scholar will be assigned an individual identification number. The identification number is needed prior to receiving an WSC identification card, even though the individual will not be considered an employee of WSC. An ID card will not be issued without approved insurance coverage.

F.   The Director of International Programs informs the registrar if the invitation includes the scholars auditing of courses.

G.  The International Programs will provide an orientation for the visiting scholar to the WSC campus and community, and a "Visiting Scholar Packet". The packet provides the appropriate information needed to assist the scholar in adjusting to the community.

H.  Where appropriate, the hosting department works with the International Programs regarding academic programming for the Visiting Scholar outside the hosting department.

I.    The Office of Academic Affairs will maintain a list of Visiting Scholar appointments, which will be included in the fall or Spring Greetings.

Institutional appointment form for international visiting scholar

           | International Programs | study.abroad@worcester.edu| 508.929.8104