[asiacouncil] [EXTERNAL] Re: Vote Needed - Financial Support for China Program Professor

[Leightner, Jonathan]

Colleagues,


I misread Eric's first message.  I read that we only have US$ 1,700 but on a second read I see it was 7,000.  I apologize for the mistake.  I will second David's recommendation that we support the China program but ask it to refund as much as possible with any remaining funds.  I still have a concern about setting a precedent that could cause problems down the road.


Jonathan

________________________________
From: asiacouncil-bounces at lighthouse.valdosta.edu <asiacouncil-bounces at lighthouse.valdosta.edu> on behalf of David L Starling <dstarlin at valdosta.edu>
Sent: Friday, March 15, 2019 7:56:31 AM
To: Eric Spears; asiacouncil at lighthouse.valdosta.edu
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Re: [asiacouncil] Vote Needed - Financial Support for China Program Professor


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All, My suggestion is that we support the request, but ask Baogang to return the money after the program returns if there are funds left.  Unlike EC programs, AC aren't able to replenish funds with our current model.

David S. And


Sent via the Samsung Galaxy, an AT&T 4G LTE smartphone


-------- Original message --------
From: Eric Spears <spears_eric at columbusstate.edu>
Date: 3/14/19 23:06 (GMT-05:00)
To: asiacouncil at lighthouse.valdosta.edu
Subject: [asiacouncil] Vote Needed - Financial Support for China Program Professor

Dear Fellow Council Members,

Bao Gang has requested that the Asia Council help support the travel expenses of Liam Madden to China this summer.  The program’s student enrollment is lower than expected.  In order to keep the number of courses offered for students at the advertised cost, Bao Gang is requesting that funds from the Asia Council faculty development grant be used to pay toward Liam’s airfare.  In addition, and if a faculty member is taken out of this summer’s program, it is likely more students will withdraw from the program once they learn their preferred courses are not available.  A lack of student retention would also jeopardize the program budget.

This expenditure would also be seen as faculty development.  Liam can learn how Bao Gang operates the program.  Liam would then be able to be a director of a future Asia Council program.   I spoke with our treasurer, Salli Vargas, and confirmed there are funds in the agency account that can be used toward this cause.  She recommends putting $1,000 toward the $1,200 airfare.  There would remain $7,000 in the account to be used toward faculty development workshops, including the one this spring at Perimeter’s campus.

In the spirit of transparency and collegiality, could you please send me your vote by no later than Monday?  Bao Gang needs to determine what to do with the program.

Many thanks,

Eric K. Spears, Ph
Mildred Miller Fort Foundation Eminent Scholar & Chair of Global Engagement
Associate Professor of Geography

Columbus State University
4225 University Avenue
Columbus, GA 31907, USA

Tel: +1 (706) 507-8545
E-mail: spears_eric at columbusstate.edu<mailto:spears_eric at columbusstate.edu>
Web: https://cie.columbusstate.edu/<https://cie.columbusstate.edu/>
Personal Web: http://ericspears.us<http://ericspears.us>

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