NSE Handbook

Each member institution appoints an NSE campus coordinator who administers all aspects of the campus program, serves as the NSE HQ liaison, and assists exchange participants.

Each participating campus designates one person who is administratively responsible for the coordination of the National Student Exchange. Each participating campus designates one person who is administratively responsible for the coordination of the National Student Exchange on a twelve-month, continuing appointment. The coordinator must be an individual who is effective in accomplishing the tasks necessary to ensure administrative support for the program.

Campus coordinators are expected to develop proficiency standards in the learning outcomes listed below to achieve competency level. A detailed description of these competencies is available.

NSE Expertise
The knowledge of principles, values, practices, fiscal operations, policies, and procedures of effective NSE program management.

Campus Management
The ability to interpret NSE policies and procedures to make effective organizational decisions at the individual member campus to enhance the NSE experience for incoming and outgoing exchange students.

Leadership
The ability to direct and contribute to initiatives and processes within the campus, region, and NSE organization.

Communication
The ability to effectively exchange information regarding NSE policies and procedures in addition to advising and managing interactions with coordinators, students, and institution stakeholders throughout the NSE consortium.

Professional Practice
The ability to integrate NSE core values, integrity, and accountability throughout all organizational practices. Adherence to the Principles of Professional Practice for NSE Coordinators.

 

Any change in NSE campus coordination requires immediate notification to NSE HQ. NSE HQ will assist in coordinator transition and new coordinator training.

It is desirable to establish an assistant coordinator position. This may be a fulltime staff person or student assistant. The assistant coordinator is a valuable component for a successful program and the selection of this person should be made with care.

While responsibilities for assistant coordinators may vary from campus to campus, it is particularly important that these individuals be knowledgeable of all facets of the NSE program.

The funding for the assistant coordinator position may come from any number of sources including institutional support, application fees, departmental contributions, student government, or work study funds.

 

Campus administrators should be informed of how the National Student Exchange program promotes and supports the institutional mission and strategic plan. Administrators should be informed of the educational advantages of NSE, especially in terms of academic enrichment, cultural diversity, and expanding the educational resources of the institution. For further information, refer to Chapter 2, Program Benefits.

Academic and support offices important to the success of NSE are academic deans, academic advising, enrollment management, student services, off campus housing, student activities, counseling services, study abroad and international programs, honors programs, multicultural affairs, disability services, new student orientation, student health, veteran's affairs, student employment, and athletics/recreation. Working relationships with some of these offices is discussed in Chapters 14 - 17.

It is important to maintain NSE program information with academic departments. Faculty can encourage students to participate in exchange, serve as program advisors, help students select campuses matching personal and academic goals, write letters of recommendation, finalize academic advising agreements, and welcome incoming students.

Student government can play a variety of roles related to NSE on the campus. At some member institutions, student government funds an assistant coordinator for the NSE program, funds conference attendance for assistant coordinator, seeds the first few years of NSE establishment and/or provides ongoing initiatives for program promotion.

 

Each institutional member in the NSE program should clearly identify a sound base of financial support. While actual sources will vary from campus to campus, it is expected that the coordinating unit will receive adequate funding in order to meet those expenses associated with the program.

 

While the amount of funding will vary depending upon program size and organization, the member institution should establish a realistic budget to include the annual membership fee, conference travel, and an appropriate sum for NSE program administration. Funding may also include a stipend for an assistant or student coordinator. Most campuses budget $2500 for their campus NSE program.

 

Funding sources including institutional appropriations, application fees, and student government grants should be considered.

The campus program administering NSE should be the principal funding source. Campus offices which commonly administer NSE include academic affairs, academic advising, student affairs, enrollment management, international studies, honors programs, multicultural programs, study abroad, special services, or off campus programs.

The most common supplemental source of income for program administration and/or conference attendance are application fees assessed to outgoing students. An NSE application fee is required by the consortium for each NSE applicant regardless of placement. Most campuses collect fees higher than the amount assessed by the consortium and use the balance for support of their NSE program.

Some campuses assess a separate commitment fee once the student is placed. This fee is often nonrefundable and confirms the student's commitment to participate in the program. Some campuses return the commitment fee to the student, in whole or in part, during the first term of the exchange. The fee is forfeited if the student withdraws from the program.

 

Some NSE campuses establish a partnership between the college/university administration and student government association. Student government may enable the NSE program to have a paid student coordinator in addition to other financial assistance. While student government support has been invaluable on a number of NSE campuses, it is important to note that annual turnover in student government officers and changes in priorities may affect long term support of this nature. Hence, student government should be viewed as a partner in NSE administration, not as its sole source of financial support.