The Office of International Student Services’ purpose is to increase, in a steady and sustainable way, the number of international students enrolled at Butte College and to provide services and support to promote their academic success and personal growth.
In order to meet our goal of increasing the number of international students on our campus each year, it has been incumbent upon Butte College to actively recruit in foreign countries. In countries that we are unable to visit, Butte uses web marketing, and other marketing tools to reach out to prospective students. The other major activity of the department is to provide international students with special services such as help with housing, special admissions help, and an orientation designed for new international students.
One-time Money to Support International Program
Due to changes in how the International Programs budget is calculated and an unexpected drop in student enrollment the department requested district support in order to maintain the core services.
We are currently evaluating our SLO's to ensure continuous improvement of the program. Pre/Post Tests have been created and student surveys are being conducted to help determine the content of the Tests. SLO's will be refined, pre and post tests implemented, and implementation of results from the tests during the following school year.
The International Program supports the college in meeting its student achievement standards by recruiting students to the campus and providing retention services when they enroll. We work with the Center for Academic Success to provide custom workshops and academic services to support international students. We also work with Transfer Counseling to provide custom workshops to support international students interested in transferring to a university. This supports the improvement of Completion Rates, Degree/Certificate Completion, and Transfer.
The International Program supports the college in meeting its Strategic Direction and Priorities by:
Enhancing a Culture of Inclusiveness
(6.4.) International Students enrich the campus and provide a global perspective on campus.
International Student Programs
- Consider background checks (Livescan) for homestay families to mitigate district liability. Homestay program was outsourced to an off-campus vendor.
- Continue to pursue relationships with English language schools in Korea and China. This is still being pursued.
- Create a focus group of international and domestic students to determine ways to implement “friendship program” with same-age students. This is still being pursued.
- Provide a dedicated bulletin board where international students can post announcements and remain connected with each other while at Butte College. This is still being pursued however, we have also increased the usage of our International Facebook Page.
- Create and distribute a small pamphlet at orientation to remind students of key locations and helpful services. This is has been achieved.
- Assign students an early counseling appointment to address class registration and other timely issues. This is has been achieved.
- Improve staff morale
- Explore ways to increase enrollment of international students
- Improve services to currently enrolled students
Strategy 1 - Provide Academic and Language Support
Provide academic and language support to International students using a CAS Instructional Aid.
International Students, particularly their first year at Butte College, struggle with and spend an inordinate amount of time on homework because of language and context issues as well as difference in academic expectations and structure from their country of origin. The Instructional Aid, is able to assist, support and explain classroom assignments as well as mediate miscommunication between faculty and international students.
Strategy 2 - International Student Orientation
Improve International Student Orientation.
Like all new students, International Students must attend Orientation as part of their matriculation to Butte College. Unlike domestic student however, their Orientation consists of three mandatory days and 1 optional day. The difference in the length of their Orientation is due to the number and complexity of topics that they must be introduced to such as immigration rules, personal and public safety, classroom expectations, adjustment issues, American health & educational systems and more.
Strategy 3 - Transfer Assistance
Improve transfer assistance.
International students are far more likely to transfer to a university upon completion at Butte College than domestic students. In addition, international students are apt to transfer to colleges and universities out of state. Last, to attract international students, Butte must assure partners and parents overseas, that their child has access to and can transfer to prestigious universities throughout the United States. Thus, providing the Transfer Center with funds to develop additional transfer agreements (TAGS), dual-admission letters and provide transfer workshops for international students is extremely important.
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| Original Priority | Program, Unit, Area | Resource Type | Account Number | Object Code | One Time Augment | Ongoing Augment |
| Description | Supporting Rationale | Potential Alternative Funding Sources | Prioritization Criteria | |||
| 1 | International Programs | Personnel | 11.000.700.1.649004 | 51390 | $15,000.00 | $0.00 |
| CAS Instructional Aid | International Students, particularly their first year at Butte College, struggle with and spend an inordinate amount of time on homework because of language and context issues as well as difference in academic expectations and structure from their country of origin. The Instructional Aid, is able to assist, support and explain classroom assignments as well as mediate miscommunication between faculty and international students. |
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| 2 | International Programs | Operating Expenses | 11.000.700.1.649004 | 54500 | $10,000.00 | $0.00 |
| International Student Orientation | Like all new students, International Students must attend Orientation as part of their matriculation to Butte College. Unlike domestic student however, their Orientation consists of three mandatory days and 1 optional day. The difference in the length of their Orientation is due to the number and complexity of topics that they must be introduced to such as immigration rules, personal and public safety, classroom expectations, adjustment issues, American health & educational systems and more. |
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| 3 | International Programs | Operating Expenses | 11.000.700.1.649004 | $5,000.00 | $0.00 | |
| Development of Transfer Pathways to Universities | International students are far more likely to transfer to a university upon completion at Butte College than domestic students. In addition, international students are apt to transfer to colleges and universities out of state. Last, to attract international students, Butte must assure partners and parents overseas, that their child has access to and can transfer to prestigious universities throughout the United States. Thus, providing the Transfer Center with funds to develop additional transfer agreements (TAGS), dual-admission letters and provide transfer workshops for international students is extremely important. |
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