The University’s Global Offices—Global Engagement, International Services Office (ISO), and the English Language Program—will relocate from River Campus to new space in College Town, with the transition starting early in the fall semester.
“This new space presents an opportunity to better serve the University’s growing international populations of students, faculty, staff and visitors,” says Jane Gatewood, vice provost for global engagement. “For the first time, all of these units will be on three floors in the same building in new modern spaces that will be much more welcoming and functional for everyone.”
The new offices will have an entrance off of Celebration Drive. The main reception area and the English Language Program classroom will be on the first floor, ISO on the second floor, and Global Engagement on the third.
The College Town Express shuttle runs from River Campus and the Medical Center to College Town every 20 minutes during the week between 11:05 a.m. and 3:05 p.m. That, along with the other University shuttles with stops at or near College Town (including the Blue and Brown lines), should make this new location for the Global Offices easily accessible by all. There is also free customer parking at College Town.
ISO offers international students and scholars services that include immigration advising, cross-cultural counseling, advocacy activities, and educational, cultural, and social programming throughout the year. Even though the ISO offices are moving to College Town, ISO Student Services will hold River Campus and Eastman School of Music office hours. For the River Campus, office hours will be in 213 Morey Hall, with specific hours and services forthcoming.
New English language program
Beginning this fall, Global Engagement will be working with the Warner School of Education to provide a non-credit bearing English Language Program (ELP). By developing the ELP in-house, it can offer richer and expanded offerings in concert with school and departmental needs, and at a lower cost. Free conversation practice hours previously coordinated by the ISO will continue. The ELP is open to both graduate students and other English language learners in the University community, including staff, post-docs, and spouses or dependents of University faculty, staff, and students. Modules include: Academic Reading & Writing; Academic Speaking & Listening; and General English, which encourages English language learners to develop English communication skills in both formal and informal settings.
