Lehigh University
International Partnership Guidelines
These guidelines have been developed in order to support Lehigh University’s colleges,
departments, and programs that seek to establish meaningful institution-to-institution
relationships for the benefit of LU students, faculty, and staff. Because institution-to-institutionagreements may be binding, legal contracts, it is very important that each new formal
agreement is entered into with the utmost seriousness and care.
Principle Types of International Agreements:
1. GENERAL MEMO OF UNDERSTANDING AGREEMENT (MOU) - This agreement states theintention of the institutions to explore the potential for collaborative activities in different
academic or research areas. It does not include specific activities and must be implemented
through addenda or separate specific agreements that are required to be approved by theauthorized officials. A General MOU is used to establish the relationship when both institutions
believe a formal statement of interest would be an appropriate step. This agreement establishes
a substantial framework for exploring collaboration when it seems clear there may be multiple
possibilities for collaboration. It identifies and informs both parties about institutional concerns
such as restrictions on immigration, technology transfers, and intellectual property.
2. AGREEMENT FOR RECIPROCAL STUDENT EXCHANGES (RSE)/ BILATERALAGREEMENT-This agreement provides for the equal exchange of students between Lehigh
University and an institution abroad. RSE participants are registered at their home institution, so
there are no costs associated with tuition. However, RSE activities may have financial,accreditation and immigration implications requiring a thorough evaluation.
3. SHORT-TERM EDUCATION ABROAD AGREEMENT-This agreement details the activities
associated with semester-abroad, short-term faculty-led, and internships. It includes the specificconditions and expectations from both parties associated with the implementation of the
program. Education abroad programs must be approved by the academic departments andfollow the policies and procedures established by the Office of International Affairs.
4. AGREEMENT FOR RESEARCH, TECHNICAL OR SCIENTIFIC COOPERATION-This
document structures the commitments, roles and responsibilities, as well as procedures toimplement an exchange of faculty, researchers or administrators between LU and an overseas
institution. The financial, regulatory, and logistical implications of the exchange must be
discussed and agreed upon before the final agreement is submitted for signature. This
document will be reviewed by the Office of General Counsel, and the ECO when necessary.

5. GRADUATE STUDIES AGREEMENTS-All agreements involving graduate students or
related programs must be developed in coordination with and approved by the specific College

the student is enrolled in.
6. DUAL DEGREE AGREEMENTS-This document structures the program through which
students receive two existing degrees, one from each partner institution. Each institution is
primarily responsible for its own degree; however, an articulation of courses as well as theprocedures to ensure program quality and coordination is required. This agreement allows forthe transfer of credit according to existing undergraduate and graduate policies.
Important Agreement Considerations:
In initiating any new international agreement, Lehigh University faculty and administrators
should consider the following factors. As a general rule, if any of the following is lacking, anagreement or MOU should not be signed.
1. Some previous faculty or staff interaction between the proposed partner institutions
2. Strong potential for mutual benefit
3. Compliance with applicable legal restrictions and university regulations,
including, but not limited to, export control compliance.
4. Secured financial and infrastructure support (as necessary)
5. Identified on-site coordinators or contact persons at each institution
6. Stated support from all colleges, departments, and programs explicitly named in theagreement
7. A plan for regular program evaluation and renewal

Approval Process:Lehigh faculty and staff interested in proposing an international partnership should follow thisprocess.
1. To initiate a partnership, Lehigh University units, individual faculty or staff should
complete the New Partnership form in the Global Engagement Directory.
2. The Director of Global Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives will gather information anddiscuss with appropriate units the viability of the partnership.
3. The Director of Global Partnership and Strategic Initiatives notifies the Export Control
Officer (ECO) when a new partnership is contemplated and shares the relevant information,
including, but not limited to, the New Partnership form.
a. The ECO will notify the Director of Global Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives if the
ECO determines that an export control license will be required in order to complete
the activities proposed in the partnership.
4. The Office of International Affairs conducts Restricted Party Screening (RPS) on theentity and the identified partnering institution personnel, including the lead contact at thepartnering institution.
5. The Director of Global Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives will then draft the MOU(Memorandum of Understanding) or other international agreement based on this proposal.

6. Agreements will be reviewed by the Faculty Committee on Global Affairs. The purpose ofthis step is to ensure that all the key questions have been answered, to check for duplicationand to identify opportunities for collaboration and network building.
7. Depending on the type of agreement, Institutional Research, Study Abroad, the relevantdean(s), department head, the ECO, and others impacted will review the document andprovide feedback.
8. The document will be submitted to General Counsel for legal review. If it was previously
determined that an export control license is required, the final document will also be sent to
the ECO for export control compliance review.
9. The Vice President/Vice Provost for International Affairs, in consultation with the relevantdeans or departments, will make the final decision regarding the international agreement.
10. The director will make sure the document is signed and sent to the appropriate parties.
11. All related activity will be documented in the Global Engagement Directory and assessedon an annual basis.

Every agreement should have at least one designated Lehigh University contact. The
designated contact(s) will be required to submit a brief annual report to the Vice President/Vice
Provost for International Affairs summarizing activities completed under the terms of theinternational agreement.
Questions to Consider in Developing a Memorandum of Understanding or SpecificAgreement:● Academic rigor of the proposed institution○ Are academic standards comparable with Lehigh?
○ Do faculty and programs enjoy a well-known reputation for excellence?
○ Does the partnership have the potential to advance Lehigh’s researchendeavors?
○ What is the institution’s strategic plan? How does it fit with Lehigh’s?
○ Is the partner’s mission compatible with LU?
● Existing successful programs○ Does Lehigh already have programs and initiatives in place that would benefit
from partnership with those at the proposed university?
○ Is there a faculty connection already established with the proposed partner?

○ What are initial projects that require an MOU/agreement and will launch thepartnership?
● Partnership sustainability○ Is there a significant student/staff/faculty interest in engagement with thisinstitution?
○ Is this partnership viable in light of the current political climate/world events?
○ Do both academic calendars allow for traditional and non-traditional
interaction/mobility between faculty and students?
○ What are the anticipated outcomes of a partnership? How will its effectiveness bemeasured?
○ What are the first activities for this partnership that build understanding at lower
cost and risk?
● Overlap with existing partnerships:o Does the proposed partnership compete with similar partnerships for students andfaculty?
o Does the proposed partnership address a gap in existing partnerships?
o How does the proposed partnership leverage existing partnerships or institutional
strengths? ·• Partner institutional capacity:o Does the partner’s curriculum match LU’s needs?
o Is the partner’s academic calendar compatible with LU? If not, is the proposed partner
willing to work with Lehigh on an individual basis?
o What is the language of instruction? Is there language support?
o Does the partner have an established administrative office to facilitate theagreement?
o Are there significant safety concerns?
o Is the planned activity legal for both partners to undertake?
o Are there any export control compliance concerns, including, but not limited to, theinvolvement of restricted parties and/or the need for an export control license?
• Resources:o Will the department, college, or other participating party commit resources to theagreement?
o What resources is the partner offering?
o What external sources of support are available?
o What are the cost advantages of developing this partnership?
o Which of the following are available for support of this partnership: Faculty release
time; travel for site visits; accommodations for visiting scholars; aid for study abroad
students; special projects or collaborations?
• Outcomes and expected level of activity:o What are the first activities for this partnership that build understanding at lower costand risk?
o What is a reasonable level of activity for this fully developed partnership?
o Does the relationship demonstrate potential for multiple interdisciplinary activities in thefuture, particularly engaging more than one Lehigh unit or department?
•

Institutional monitoring:o Who is the LU faculty member willing to sponsor the partnershipagreement?
o What is the term for review of the agreement?
o What are the activity-based metrics that will be used to evaluate this partnership?

Export control compliance review of new activities under an existing collaboration:● The Office of International Affairs works with faculty to engage with collaborators using
existing partnership agreements. When new activity is occurring under an existing
agreement, the Director of Global Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives establishes anaddendum to the existing agreement. Project personnel and the scholars or otherpersonnel involved from the partnering institution are documented in the addendum.
● The Director of Global Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives shared the addendum with
the ECO. The ECO reviews proposed activity and determines if an export control license
is necessary.
● OIA conducts Restricted Party Screening (RPS) on identified partnering institution
personnel.