The President of California State University, Fullerton, is the only individual authorized to enter into written agreements with international partner universities or overseas institutions. No faculty or staff member or other administrator can sign partnership agreements on behalf of Cal State Fullerton.
There are two types of approved documents that memorialize cooperative, collaborative arrangements between Cal State Fullerton and international partners. These are labeled “Letters of Intent” or a “Memorandum of Understanding [MOU]” and “International Agreements.
A. A "Letter of Intent" or "Memorandum of Understanding" is general in nature and does not commit university resources to collaborative activities. Its language expresses statements of cooperation and goodwill between California State University, Fullerton and a recognized international institution, which is usually a university, college, or governmental agency. It may also be a for-profit or non-profit non-governmental agency or community-based organization. The content typically contains wording to the effect that the partnership will plan the "exchange of students and/or scholars (faculty): and outlines an interest "to develop cooperative, collaborative projects."
Download Letter of Intent / Memorandum of Understanding (PDF)
B. An "International Agreement" is more explicitly descriptive and commits university resources to a defined project, product, or program. Examples would include a specific student exchange between two departments / colleges/ disciplines that indicates the maximum numbers of students who may be assisted, a short-term training program delivery, establishment of a degree program or bundle of selected courses to be made available to the partner institution (either here or at a site abroad), and the commitment of specific outcomes/deliverables and resources to implement these activities.
These usually are drafted by either the Office of Academic Programs or the University Extended Education office [UEE]. On occasion, a prospective partner may initiate such a draft document. Regardless of the source of the formal document, it must be reviewed by both Academic Programs and UEE. It does not become official until it has passed through the full on-campus review process and is signed by the President of the University and a similar ranking counterpart at the other institution.
When the document is an "International Agreement," it must have an accompanying program budget that will be reviewed by, and is subject to the approval of, the university's Office of Contracts and Procurement.
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