Establish a Student Fund for International Co-op

We, the undersigned, support the initiative to establish and develop a fund specifically to provide financial aid to students participating in international co-op.

Northeastern University has put a serious emphasis on global education and international co-op, specifically mentioning it in part 1A (Transformative Student Experience) of the new Academic Plan.  While every student at Northeastern has the opportunity to pursue an international co-op, the financial burden that it sometimes creates is a primary deterring aspect of participating.  Currently NU has no fund directly established for international co-op students that would subsidize the costs of living abroad.

Therefore, we support the establishment and development of a fund that will be managed by an oversight committee.  The oversight committee should include, but is not limited to, the Vice Provost for Experiential Education, Executive Director of International Initiatives, Director of International Co-op, faculty representative appointed by the Faculty Senate, Development Office representative, representative from the International Business department appointed by the department director, representative from the International Affairs department appointed by the department director, and three student representatives including at least one who has completed an international co-op.  The committee will have the responsibility of developing criteria and a system for disbursement of the funds.

* Note - the fund will NOT contain money from tuition.