Middlebury, Monterey Institute approve letter of intent to pursue affliliation
MIDDLEBURY, Vt., June 24, 2005-The trustees of Middlebury College and the Monterey Institute of International Studies (MIIS) have approved a letter of intent to make Monterey an affiliate of Middlebury. The affiliation will combine the strengths of two institutions renowned for their expertise in international education, language teaching, and cultural studies.
The Middlebury board approved the letter in a meeting Thursday, followed by the Monterey board decision today. Both institutions expect to reach final terms on the affiliation before Dec. 23, 2005.
“The affiliation between Middlebury College and the Monterey Institute will allow both of our institutions to take a significant step forward in our commitment to leadership in international education,” said Middlebury College President Ronald D. Liebowitz. “Never before has there been such a critical need for leaders with the skills and cultural understanding to meet the global challenges of the 21st century. Together, Middlebury and Monterey are powerfully equipped to educate these leaders.”
“The institute is delighted to be affiliated with one of the nation’s leading academic institutions,” said Monterey Institute President Steven J. Baker. “As the 50th anniversary of the institute approaches, we look forward to the exciting opportunities this creates for Monterey and Middlebury.”
The letter of intent formally confirms both parties’ interests in the affiliation, establishes its structure, and declares the conditions for executing an affiliation agreement. Monterey will have a five-member board of trustees, all of whom will be appointed by Middlebury.
Clara Yu, former vice president for languages at Middlebury College, will serve as president of the Monterey Institute once the affiliation agreement is approved. “Middlebury and Monterey are two premier institutions that take seriously deep cultural understanding and linguistic proficiency as the foundation for international studies, policymaking, and public service,” Yu said. “I look forward to working with the faculty, staff, and alumni of the Monterey Institute and with the Monterey community to further our common mission.”
Located in Vermont, Middlebury College is one of the leading liberal arts colleges in the nation. It enrolls 2,350 undergraduate students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries. The College also enrolls 1,300 students at its nine summer Language Schools, 500 at the Bread Loaf School of English, and 300 at its seven Schools Abroad. Each year, Middlebury awards an average of 250 graduate degrees in foreign languages and English. The college is particularly noted for excellence in international studies, languages, writing and literary studies, and environmental studies.
The Monterey Institute of International Studies, located in California, includes the Graduate School of International Policy Studies, the Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation, the Fisher Graduate School of International Business and the Graduate School of Language and Educational Linguistics and enrolls some 780 students. The institute also includes the internationally renowned Center for Nonproliferation Studies and Center for East Asian Studies.
Questions and answers about the affiliation
How is this affiliation beneficial to both institutions?Languages skills coupled with proficiency in international trade, diplomacy or international policy will become increasingly important for students in the United States and around the world. This affiliation would allow both institutions to be at the forefront of shaping international education, based on language proficiency and cultural understanding. It would also provide additional networking opportunities for students and alumni and it would likely lead to innovative research and teaching opportunities for faculty from both Middlebury and Monterey.
What are the terms of affiliation?
The parties anticipate that the institute would have a five-member board of trustees, all of whom would be appointed by Middlebury. The Monterey Institute’s board would have general oversight of MIIS, but Middlebury approval would be required for the appointment or removal of the president, adoption of budgets, sale or acquisition of assets, and commencement or termination of academic programs.
Middlebury anticipates making financial resources available to the institute in the form of gifts received specifically for this affiliation and, if needed, secured loans.
Will either institution’s name change as a result of affiliation?
Both institutions would maintain their current names. Opportunities for co-branding would be explored (e.g. the Monterey Institute of International Studies, an affiliate of Middlebury College).
Will an affiliation result in personnel changes at one or both institutions?
Clara Yu, former vice president for languages at Middlebury, would become president of the Monterey Institute of International Studies once the affiliation is finalized. Yu is acknowledged internationally as a leader in language education and the use of technology in education. There may be other administrative changes as the affiliation moves forward.
Will graduates receive MIIS or Middlebury degrees?
Middlebury graduates would continue to receive Middlebury degrees and Monterey Institute graduates would receive Institute degrees.
What level of investment will Middlebury make in the affiliation?
Middlebury expects to make financial resources available to MIIS to improve facilities and technology resources and to promote admissions and fund-raising activities.
The timing and amount of investments have not been determined, but Middlebury anticipates supporting the institute over the next four years through fund raising and secured loans. After an initial investment, it is expected that MIIS will be self-sufficient.
What is the life span of the affiliation?
No term has been specified.
How long has Middlebury been considering a relationship with the Monterey Institute for International Studies?
Middlebury and the institute began discussing possible institutional relationships in November of 2004.
What role will Steven J. Baker, the institute’s current president, play at MIIS as the affiliation is finalized?
Steven J. Baker has demonstrated terrific leadership while at the Monterey Institute. The parties anticipate that he would serve as president through 2005 and then become a special adviser to Clara Yu as she takes on the responsibilities of president.
Does MIIS have undergraduate-level offerings?
MIIS has four graduate-level programs-two language-related schools, the Graduate School of International Policy Studies, and the Fisher Graduate School of International Business. However, the institute has a small advanced entry B.A. program that enables selected students to complete a B.A. and M.A. in a total of three years.
Does Middlebury College have graduate-level offerings?
Yes, although Middlebury will continue to be primarily an undergraduate institution. At present, Middlebury has graduate students in its intensive language schools, its Schools Abroad, and its Bread Loaf School of English.
FACT SHEET:
The Monterey Institute of International Studies
History
The Monterey Institute began as the dream of a Frenchman who came to Monterey to teach French and German at the Army Language School (now the Defense Language Institute). Gaspard Etienne Weiss, with the backing and support of Remsen Bird, retired president of Occidental College, established an institute based on the revolutionary concept that a “living language should be taught as such: French in French, German in German, etc.” In 1955, the Monterey Institute of Foreign Studies offered summer language and culture classes; year-round degree programs began in 1961 and the Institute was renamed the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 1979.
Four inter-related graduate schools
Graduate School of International Policy Studies , Graduate School of Translation and Interpretation, Graduate School of Language and Educational Linguistics, Fisher Graduate School of International Business.
Facilities
The campus is located in the heart of historic Old Monterey and includes lecture halls, high-tech classrooms, seminar rooms, research centers, and labs wired for the latest technology. Wireless access is available throughout the campus. The main auditorium is electronically equipped to handle simultaneous interpretation in four languages. The Institute’s library has more than 90,000 volumes, periodicals in more than 30 languages, and access to global language, policy, and business resources through extensive computer databases and interlibrary loan agreements.
Faculty
Full-time faculty total 70, about half from outside the U.S.; all have had professional experience abroad.
Enrollment
About 780 graduate students; 1 percent are advanced undergraduate students. Average age is 27.
International characteristics
Approximately one-third of the students represent more than 60 countries outside the U.S. More than 90 percent of the American students have lived, worked or studied abroad. More than 50 languages are spoken by students on campus. Language classes offered in English, Spanish, French, Russian, Japanese, Chinese (Mandarin), German and Arabic.
Postgraduate employment
For International Policy Studies:
policy/government and public administration = 47%
business = 17%
international development = 14%
security/intelligence = 14%
advanced study/other = 8%
For Translation and Interpretation:
freelance work = 27%
T&I agencies = 13%
business/industry = 13%
government = 12%
nonprofit/education = 10%
business/high tech or finance = 15%
advanced study = 10%
For Language and Educational Linguistics:
college/university teaching = 48%
elementary/secondary teaching = 16%
language program administration = 13%
other education-related fields = 13%
advanced study and other fields = 10%
For International Business (MBA):
technology-related = 40%
financial services = 19%
government/nonprofit = 11%
consumer products = 10%
consulting = 8%
own business/manufacturing/other = 12%
Alumni
Over 7,500 living in more than 100 countries.
Accreditation
Fully accredited by the higher education accrediting commission for senior colleges and universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The Monterey Institute is fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
Contact Information
Telephone: 831-647-4123 or 800-824-7235
e-mail: admit@miis.edu
Web site: www.miis.edu
Mail: 460 Pierce Street, Monterey, CA 93940