Office of International Affairs records

Collection

Identifier: A063

Scope and Content Note

This collection documents the management of international affairs at Northeastern University (NU), including recruitment activities, international visitors, institutional collaborations, and international student life. There are six series in this collection: Administration, Recruitment, International Visitors, Student Life, New England-China Consortium (NECC), and Joy W. Viola (JVW). The Administration series includes correspondence, meeting minutes, and annual reports from the International Coordinating Board (ICB) and the Office of International Affairs (OIA). The Recruitment series includes advertising, information requests, and trip reports relating to recruitment efforts of the OIA. The International Visitors series documents international visitors to NU between 1951 and 1989, including the African Ambassadors Reception in 1984 and the 1985 visit of Dr. Carlos Tunnermann, Ambassador of Nicaragua. The International Scholar and Education series documents cultural and educational exchange programs as well as seminars that assisted international students and faculty in adapting to NU. The NECC series documents the establishment and activities of the NECC, a cultural exchange and educational collaborative of 40 institutions in New England and China. The Joy W. Viola series contains material relating to the professional and administrative activities of JWV, dean of the Office of International affairs between 1982 and 1988, founding director of the ICB, NECC, and the Center for International Higher Education Documentation, and director of Century Fund communications between 1988 and 1991.

Dates

Creation: 1951-1991
Creation: Majority of material found within 1977-1988

Creator

Northeastern University (Boston, Mass.). Office of International Affairs (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access:

Records are closed for 25 years from the date of their creation, unless researchers have written permission from the creating office. Student and personnel records (box 4, folders 26, 29, 42-58; box 9, folders 7, 19, 47) are closed for 75 years from the date of their creation.

Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use:

Requests for permission to publish material from this collection should be discussed with the University Archivist.

Historical Note

Prior to 1975, matters relating to international affairs at Northeastern University (NU) were the joint responsibility of the University Relations Office and the Student Center. In 1972, NU President Asa S. Knowles began working on the International Encyclopedia of Higher Education, which served as a catalyst for increasing interest in international education at NU. In 1975, a series of committees, including the Policy Committee for International Students and the International Reviewing Committee, were established to address the needs of a growing population of international students. Responsibilities shared among these committees included international recruitment, coordination of international visitors, setting NU policy on matters relating to international affairs, and addressing the cultural, legal, and academic needs of foreign students. These committees were formally organized under the International Coordinating Board (ICB) in 1977, with Joy W. Viola (JWV) as the Coordinator of International Affairs.

The early international committees worked closely with the Center for International Higher Education Documentation (CIHED), of which JWV was the founding director in 1977. Additionally, JWV helped to establish the New England-China Consortium for Education and Cultural Exchange (NECC) in 1980, serving as president of the NECC from 1980 to 1982. The NECC membership of 40 institutions worked to promote sharing of education and culture between member institutions in China and New England.

In 1982, the ICB was absorbed into the Office of International Affairs (OIA) under JWV, who served as dean from the OIA's inception through 1988, when she become Director of Century Fund Communications until her retirement in 1991. The staff of the OIA traveled around the world to host recruitment events and enlist NU alumni living abroad in its recruitment efforts. The OIA also organized events and workshops, including English tutoring, seminars on immigration, American culture, and taxes. In addition, the OIA offered counseling services to assist foreign students in adapting to American university student life and living in Boston. The OIA also assisted with immigration issues, such as visas and other documentation.

The OIA closed in 1988, and its responsibilities were delegated to other offices, including the International Student Office (ISO) and the International Student and Scholar Institute (ISSI). International recruitment became the responsibility of the Office of Admissions in 1987, but the ISSI continues to provide programs and services to assist NU's international student population. The ISSI also assists in organizing cultural education programs that enable NU students to learn about other cultures, including study abroad programs for NU students.

Chronology

1972
: Asa S. Knowles begins work on the International Encyclopedia of Higher Education
1975
: International affairs separate from the Student Center
1976-1977
: First university-wide report on NU's international endeavors
1977
: ICB established; CIHED established with Joy Viola as the founding director; first International Encyclopedia of Higher Education published
1979-1980
: Restructuring of the ICB; liaisons formed with the International Student Policy Committee and the NU China Committee
1980
: Creation of the New England-China Consortium (NECC)
1981
: OIA established
1980-1982
: Dean Joy W. Viola serves as president of the New England-China Consortium
1985
: OIA moves from the YMCA to new offices on Huntington Avenue
1986
: CIHED closes
1987
: Office of Admissions assumes International recruitment responsibilities
1988
: The OIA closes; Joy W. Viola becomes director of the Century Fund Communications.
1991
: Joy W. Viola retires

Extent

9.25 cubic feet (11 containers)

Language

English

Additional Description

Overview

Prior to 1975, matters relating to international affairs at Northeastern University were the joint responsibility of the University Relations Office and the Student Center. In 1975, several committees were established to address the needs of a growing population of international students. Responsibilities shared among these committees included international recruitment, coordination of international visitors, and addressing the cultural, legal, and academic needs of foreign students. These committees were formally organized under the International Coordinating Board (ICB) in 1977. In 1982, the ICB was restructured into the Office of International Affairs (OIA) under Joy W. Viola, who served as dean from the OIA's inception through 1988. The early committees, and later the ICB and the OIA, worked closely with the Center for International Higher Education Documentation, of which Joy W. Viola was the founding member. International recruitment was assumed by the Office of Admissions in 1987. The OIA closed in 1988, and its responsibilities were delegated to other offices, including the International Student Office and the International Student and Scholar Institute.

Overview

This collection documents the creation, programs, and activities of Northeastern University's Office of International Affairs, beginning in 1951 and ending with Joy W. Viola's departure from the office in 1988. Records include documentation of international visitors, recruitment efforts, and the administration of the office and its programs. Also included are records from boards and committees on which Joy Viola served during her tenure at NU, including the Century Fund, Center for International Higher Education Documentation, and the New England-China Consortium.

System of Arrangement:

Organized into six series: Series 1. Administration; Series 2. Recruitment; Series 3. International Visitors; Series 4. International Scholars and Education; Series 5. New England-China Consortium; Series 6. Joy W. Viola.

Physical Location

30/4

Bibliography

Antoinette Frederick. Northeastern University, Coming of Age: The Ryder Years. 1975-1989. Boston, MA: Northeastern University Press, 1995.
International Student and Scholar Institute: http://www.dac.neu.edu/iso/