Old Dominion University and the Division of Student Engagement and Enrollment Services is committed to providing the best possible support for international students so that they are able to reach their academic and personal development goals while enrolled at the institution.

The International Student Advisory Board (ISAB) provides counsel and constructive feedback concerning the general effectiveness of international programs and services offered by the Office of Intercultural Relations (OIR) and other university departments such as International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). The ISAB not only offers suggestions for improving current programs and services, but also makes recommendations for new initiatives. ISAB feedback and recommendations will assist the Division of Student Engagement and Enrollment Services, and particularly OIR and ISSS, in providing excellent programs and services for international students. Upon request, the ISAB will also meet and provide feedback and counsel to other departments within the university.

Board Composition

• 2.1. The ISAB is composed of up to 20 members including:
• 2.1.1. One President, one Vice President, and Five Advisory Committee Chairs
• 2.1.2. One staff from OIR as faculty advisor appointed by the Assistant Dean of the OIR
• 2.1.3. One graduate assistant from OIR appointed by the Assistant Dean of the OIR
• 2.1.4. One graduate assistant from ISSS appointed by the Executive Director of the International Programs.
• 2.1.5. One graduate assistant from the Office of International Admissions.

Application Process

• 3.1. Students who meet one of the following requirements may apply to serve on the ISAB:
  • 3.1.1. International undergraduate students who have accomplished at least two academic semesters
  • 3.1.2. International graduate students who have accomplished at least one academic semester at ODU
  • 3.1.3. American students (US citizens) who were born in a foreign country
  • 3.1.4. American students who have been serving as a Monarch mentor
  • 3.1.5. American students who have been an international student overseas
• 3.2. The online application process is open all year around and accessible through OIR web page.
• 3.3. In September and January of each academic year, OIR sends a notification email about the ISAB and application process and the webpage link to all international students.
• 3.4. If the number of qualified applicants exceeds the maximum number of ISAB (mentioned in 2.1), the remaining qualified applicants remain on the "reserve member list" (RML) and will be invited to serve on ISAB later when needed.
• 3.5. The faculty advisor is responsible for the recruitment and appointment of new members and their compliance with the requirements indicated in this document.
• 3.6. The faculty advisor may invite some qualified students to serve on the ISAB

Terms of Board Service

• 4.1. One academic year is the term.
• 4.2. Except for the faculty advisor, members may serve on the ISAB for a maximum of two terms.
• 4.3. ISAB holds at least three meetings in each of the fall and spring semesters.
• 4.4. ISAB meets with the Assistant Dean of OIR and the Executive Director of International Programs in October and February of each academic year.
• 4.5. Two consecutive absences without pre-notification or any three absences in one academic year may be considered as the member's resignation from ISAB.
• 4.6. ISAB will decide whether or not to convene at least one open forum per semester to discuss international community issues or to seek other venues for community input.
• 4.7. The faculty advisor also helps ISAB members to access the necessary information about the international student organizations and other student organizations.

ISAB Organization

• 5.1. There are five committees in ISAB representing some of the major areas of concern for international students, namely "academic performance", "housing and safety", "student life and cultural integration", "public relations" and "administrative and financial concerns".
• 5.2. Committees may hold their own meetings to analyze related issues and develop alternatives to be discussed in the ISAB meetings.
• 5.3. ISAB members select the ISAB president, vice-president and five chairs of advisory committees.
• 5.4. Each of the five committees is responsible to receive and analyze international student concerns, frame solutions and examine best practices to provide OIR or other ODU officials with advices on how to resolve international students' concerns in the related issues.
• 5.5. The ISAB election for the next term (academic year) shall be held at the last meeting (April) of the ISAB in each term to elect the new advisors to fill the seven key positions.

Descriptions of Positions & Committees

• 6.1. President: President is the figure head of ISAB and is responsible to manage the meetings. President keeps continuous contact with the faculty advisor as well as the Assistant Dean of OIR and the Executive Director of International Programs.
• 6.2. Vice- President: Vice-President works closely with the president and shall perform the duties of the president in case of the president absence or resignation.
• 6.3. Academic Performance and Integration Advisory Committee The committee tackles issues pertaining to the academic experience and performance of international students at ODU. Issues may include class participation, academic integrity, and developing informational materials for students and faculty members/advisors.
• 6.4. Housing and Public Safety Advisory Committee The committee analyzes issues and makes recommendations regarding international students' concerns with on-campus and off-campus housing, as well as public safety.
• 6.5. Student Life and Cultural Integration Advisory Committee The committee examines issues which deal with students' adjustment to the cultural lifestyle at ODU, and establishes a close relation with the international student organizations at ODU as well as other student organizations which may be interested to reach out international student community at ODU. Issues may include international mentorship programs, in-country pre-departure orientation programs.
• 6.6. Administrative and Financial Concerns Advisory Committee The committee addresses concerns that involve international students' finances and/or their experiences with administrative processes on-campus. The committee may provide recommendations regarding health insurance, negotiating discounts with insurance, airline and cell phone providers.
• 6.7. Public Relations Advisory Committee The committee manages the Public Relations (especially with faculties and community group), works with faculty advisor to updates the list of ISAB members, and meeting agendas and minutes on the ISAB page on the OIR web site.