Vice President's Message
Redefining Boundaries
Robert A. Pastor
A STUDENT’S JOURNEY THROUGH university is often search for definition—of ideas, relationships, a career, one’s country, and oneself. Professors are guides—suggesting new paths, warning of obstacles, and encouraging students to persist.
The Office of International Affairs (OIA) has taken as its mission the job of stretching or redefining the boundaries of the universe that defines the student’s search. In this issue, we highlight four different ways that we are working to redefine that landscape.
First, through the Center for North American Studies, we are trying to stretch the minds of our students and the wider public to think of themselves not just as Americans, Canadians, and Mexicans but also as North Americans. Increasingly, our economy and security depend on better relationships with our two most important trading partners and energy sources. Moreover, our standing in the world would benefit from a healthy and mutually respectful relationship with our closest neighbors.
Secondly, through the Center for Democracy and Election Management, we are trying to stretch the boundaries of our understanding of democracy—why it’s vital, how it breaks down, and what can be done to make it succeed. Every democracy has much to learn from other democracies, and the Carter-Baker Commission on Federal Election Reform offered 87 recommendations as proof that the United States has much to learn as well. (See back page.)
These two centers not only define the greatest challenges of the 21st century—how to promote growth with dignity, integration with autonomy, and human rights and community. But we see the centers as models and part of a wider network of centers that could stretch the frontiers of knowledge on AU’s campus and beyond.
Third, through our support for ABTI-American University of Nigeria, AU has demonstrated in less than two years, a capacity to assist a new institution to become one of the finest universities in sub-Saharan Africa, outside of South Africa. (See page 5.) We have also nurtured strategic partnerships, such as with Tec de Monterrey (ITESM) in Mexico, with which AU has exchanged professors and many students. (See page 7.)
Finally, three years ago, OIA directed a Project Team Report that recommended ambitious goals to lift AU to a new and higher level of internationalization, centering initially on the study abroad experience. The “World Capitals Program” was transferred from the Provost’s Office to OIA and expanded and transformed into “AU Abroad.” In addition, a new and unique program called “Abroad at AU” was launched to bring the world’s students to AU for their junior year abroad. Study abroad has become more academically rigorous and more integrated into the local setting. There were some initial complaints from students who said they went abroad to travel not to study, but most have adjusted to and appreciated the change.
On page 3, OIA evaluates the distance we have traveled toward those goals as the two programs are transferred to the Provost’s Office. We have moved fast and far in a short time. We wish the programs well and hope that they retain their innovative and magnetic quality to attract AU students and stretch their boundaries.
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