Application Guidelines for Faculty Member in Residence

JMU's Study Abroad Programs offer full-time JMU faculty an exciting opportunity to work in an international environment, collaborate with faculty of different nationalities and educational training, live in the host country with their families, and experience everyday life in a new culture.  The Semesters Abroad Programs provide an international experience for students, but they also support faculty development and add international dimensions to the JMU curriculum.  Faculty from all colleges in the University have the opportunity to participate.  Application deadlines for open positions are usually set twice each year. 

The next application deadline is March 14 for positions shown on this list of JMU faculty assigned to date and of open positions.

General Description

Faculty Members in Residence (FMIRs) generally teach one course in their academic field or assume an appropriate research project. In addition, FMIRs advise and support the students living and studying in the foreign city and handle administrative planning and financial record-keeping.  It is recommended that a spouse or colleague accompany the FMIR to serve as a "support person".  Faculty benefits include transportation to/from the site and housing during the semester.  Most programs involve academic excursions to numerous historic sites, theatre, concerts, and film events which expose faculty and students to the country's culture.  Specific policies, responsibilities, and benefits for FMIRs and support persons are described in the FMIR Handbooks, available from the Program Directors or the Office of International Programs (oIP), JMAC6, Suite 22 (on Harrison Street) (x86419). 

Summer semesters in Florence, London, and Salamanca run approximately 8 weeks; the Summer Semester in Antwerp is approximately 13 weeks from early May to mid-August.

Faculty Eligibility

All full-time faculty and administrative personnel with teaching designation may apply for positions in Antwerp, London, and Salamanca. Non-tenured faculty should consult their department heads regarding the advisability of participating before or during the tenure process.  Since faculty development is a secondary goal of this program, new applicants are especially welcome.

Policy on Returning and Replacement Faculty 

Faculty who have already served as FMIRs are eligible to serve again on the same or another Semester Abroad program after two calendar years have passed (i.e. fall 2005 to spring 2007).  Faculty who have served as "support persons" or assistants on one of the programs are considered as first-time applicants.  Faculty who have already served two or more terms will have a lower priority than new candidates.  After serving two semesters, faculty should contact the oIP to update their files.  Returning faculty may be appointed when a faculty member withdraws or may be designated as the official "alternate" for a two-year period.  Participation in a summer study abroad program does not preclude a faculty member from participating in a regular semester program.

Faculty Qualifications

Faculty should have a strong interest in, enthusiasm for, and commitment to taking students to the country for which they apply. Consideration is given to the faculty member's experience in the country and culture, but extensive prior knowledge is not required as long as there is a plan for acquiring a solid foundation prior to departure.  Although an instructor may apply to more than one program, applicants should have first preferences based upon interest or experience. 

Application Preparation

IMPORTANT: Prior to submitting the application, candidates must consult with the program director who has responsibility for the curriculum and program management.  The program director will review preliminary course and project proposals for appropriate fit with the overall curricular offerings and insure that they take full advantage of the unique learning opportunities offered by the host country. After the program director approves the course or project, the faculty member should obtain approval from both the director and their department for the course or project they propose to conduct abroad, as well as for release from teaching on campus during the term(s) listed.  Courses that are cross-listed with other departments or fulfill GenEd credits should be approved by each area.  

Applicants should talk with their department heads to get tentative approval of release of the semester(s) for which they are applying and should note in the application if there is any flexibility for the semesters.

Determine preparation time before declaring an eligible semester.  If you have not traveled abroad recently, you may want to consider a summer visit to the country(ies) of interest prior to applying.

In London and Antwerp, faculty should identify a "support person" to assist during the program. Responsibilities vary by program needs and by the particular skills of the FMIR and support person. The position of FMIR support person in Antwerp and London is compensated with a stipend paid via JMU payroll.

Application Form, Selection Process and Criteria

Interested faculty should complete the FMIR application form and attach a current résumé or curriculum vitae.  The FMIR Selection Committee, consisting of program directors, oIP staff, and representatives from the University Finance, will review completed applications received by the deadline. The Committee will interview the top-ranking applicants.  The FMIR Selection Committee will recommend faculty to the Executive Director for International Programs who makes the appointments. 

Applicants are considered on the basis of the following criteria:

• sufficient language skills* to enable the faculty member to function effectively on behalf of the students;
• interest in the country and familiarity with its culture; 
• experience with advising and work with student groups; 
• commitment to both in-class and out-of-class learning; 
• organizational skills sufficient to fulfill the administrative responsibilities of the position;
• intended benefits to JMU and the individual's professional development.

*Some language proficiency should be demonstrated at this time, or a plan for language acquisition discussed with the committee.

Applications for more than one program are welcome, but as mentioned above, require advance consultation with the respective program directors.

Guidelines for Deans and Department Heads

Department Heads (or Deans for Department Heads) are asked to approve the course proposal and the teaching release of the applicant.  Although instructors can repeat a semester abroad, an effort is made to include faculty who have never served in a Semester Abroad program. Consideration is given to the international growth and vitality this experience will give to the departments and colleges. 

Deans or department heads are asked to try to accommodate changes in scheduling which might occur if an FMIR drops out of the program.  Conversely, Program Directors and the FMIR Selection Committee will attempt to make all decisions before departmental schedules are due for following semesters.  

Compensation

For appointment during the regular academic year (fall and spring semesters), the FMIR's "home" department will be reimbursed at a standard $8,000 to help replace the faculty member's teaching and/or administrative responsibilities.   Summer FMIRs in London and Salamanca are compensated with a salary for one summer school course, based on his/her college and rank. In Antwerp, the salary is based on the equivalent of two courses.

Evaluation of the FMIRS

FMIRs and their department heads can expect to receive a written evaluation of the FMIRs' performance during the semester from the program director within eight weeks after their return.  Student evaluations of the orientation, administration and courses are done at the end of each semester.  The directors base their evaluations on student evaluations, input from international faculty, their own observations of the group, and their working relationship with the FMIRs.  The categories for evaluation include: 

• academic rigor
• accessibility to students & faculty 
• communication skills 
• leadership 
• enthusiasm 
• knowledge of the city and country 
• concern for cultural  experiences 
• concern for students' health & safety 
• program organization 
• program financial management.

The oIP will gladly provide more information on available FMIR positions.

FMIR application checklist obtain application form, available here in Microsoft Word format talk with department head and/or dean meet with program director or contact listed develop course proposal and/or project and secure approvals identify a suppport person (London and Antwerp) submit completed application with signatures to oIP by the deadline.