The University hosted a number of small liberal-arts colleges to discuss international sustainability initiatives and their implications at the One Size Does Not Fit All event that took place in the Shapiro Campus Center this past Friday and Saturday. Through a grant given by the Association of International Education Administrators, the Brandeis Office of Global Affairs was able to coordinate the One Size Does Not Fit All event, which emphasized the impact that small-scale institutions can have despite limited resources and financial commitments.

According to the AIEA website, the organization was formed in 1982 to promote international sustainability, higher education administration on a global level and to establish and maintain international networks between forerunners of higher learning.

Representatives from institutions such as Princeton University, Boston College and Vanderbilt University, came together Friday morning in an opening convocation titled "Understanding Sustained Global Commitments," to begin discussions on international sustainability and efficiency. In addition, sessions such as, "The Special Role of the Liberal Arts in Sustained Global Commitments" and "Partnering With Overseas Institutions," encompassed discussions about effective study abroad programs, building international relationships and faculty involvement.

Bryan McAllister-Grande, the assistant director of the OGA and one of the coordinators of the event, said in a phone interview with the Justice that the purpose of One Size Does Not Fit All was to encourage question and dialogue between faculty members of various institutions on methods of promoting constructive international initiatives. In addition, McAllister-Grande commented that since Brandeis is a small-scale institution, it makes having conversations regarding such issues fairly easy. Additionally, McAllister-Grande noted that the Brandeis environment is extremely conducive to internationalization and global engagement because of the faculty involvement and history of the school itself.

Daniel Terris, vice president of the OGA, said, "One thing that we would like to do at Brandeis is to find more opportunities for students who study abroad to integrate their experiences into their academic work when they return."

Additionally, "we would also like to help and encourage the undergraduate students to take advantage of the experience and expertise of the graduate population here at Brandeis, particularly in the International Business School and the Heller School for Social Policy and Management," Terris said.

Terris also explained that despite the strong relationships Brandeis has fostered between its student population and its faculty on an international level, there is still much to be done.

"Within the next 10 years we hope to develop more sustained commitments in places of particular importance to Brandeis, such as Israel, India and other key countries," that will in turn strengthen the faculty-student bond, Terris said.

Overall, "the AIEA Forum was a terrific success because it is a rare opportunity to be able to really sit down with colleagues who have similar concerns over two days and really explore in depth the ideas and best practices that are at the heart of international higher education," said Terris.


-Dina Kapengut contributed reporting.