Bellevue College is committed to working with colleges, universities, organizations and agencies around the world on initiatives of mutual benefit. When potential collaborations involve commitment of resources or exchange of faculty, staff and students a general memorandum of understanding (MOU) is developed and signed to acknowledge the partnership.
For an institution to be named a Strategic Partner, the Strategic Partnership Assessment Tool [PDF] must be completed and approved by the Office of Global Initiatives, which will manage and assist with the process.
Strategic Partnerships should only be proposed after significant conversation and interaction with partner institution(s), including, whenever possible, visits by BC faculty, administrators and staff to these institutions, accompanied by reciprocal visit from the institution to BC. A standard general MOU with the institution may well be signed during these initial interactions.
If the partnership advances and specific arrangements are made for dual degree programs, student and faculty exchanges, joint research, etc., the General Agreements will be supplemented by specific agreements which detail partnership activities, responsible parties and resources available to sustain the partnerships.
The Office of Global Initiatives reviews each proposed agreement and makes a recommendation to the higher Administrators regarding the completeness of the agreement and any issues generated by the partnership agreement. The president signs each new agreement and renewal. Depending on the type of agreement, the relevant VP(s), Dean(s), legal counsel, or other staff may also need to review and approve of the document.
Individuals who are not currently employed by BC may not initiate or be designated as the primary contact for an MOU or other form of international agreements. An agreement may be initiated by a Division, Department, or other Academic Unit by submitting a brief proposal to the Office of Global Initiatives that outlines the proposed areas for cooperation.
The Office of Global Initiatives will draft the initial MOU based on the proposal. Depending on the type of agreement, the relevant Dean(s), legal counsel, and/or other academic committees may also need to review the MOU. The President will make the final decision regarding the MOU.
Once an MOU draft has been reviewed and approved by all relevant parties, at least two original, hard-copy versions of the document will be routed for signatures.
The office of Global Initiatives maintains a database of all formal partnerships and is responsible for sending a reminder to the designated contact for each international agreement or MOU before it is due to expire.
Additional agreements may be appended to the original MOU and, depending on their nature, the President and other parties may be required to sign these addenda.
Last Updated December 30, 2022
