Quick Guide for Developing Partnership Activities

Introduction, from the Office of the Dean of International Programs: There are essentially three kinds of written "agreements" which structure international activities at Purdue, each having different purposes yet connected to one another.

1) A Letter of Intent is the most basic document, reflecting that parties are interested in moving forward with a relationship, signed by the head of the Purdue academic unit and their equivalent at the partner institution. The letter is not an agreement on behalf of Purdue University, and does not involve money or obligation. IP does not have to approve or review the Letter of Intent but would request a copy upon completion. There is not one set form for the Letter of Intent, but the following template is recommended as a starting point. (see example)

2) An Activity Agreement is usually a fairly complicated document because it typically involves money and an obligation to carry out given activities. It is between one unit at Purdue and another (at a partnering institution) Activity Agreements are completed by the Dean's or the Dean's designee, and drafted in collaboration with IP. The key feature is that an Activity Agreement is specific; financial and administrative obligations are spelled out in the document. Templates exist for the most common Activity Agreements (e.g. research, reciprocal student exchange [see Study Abroad], one-way study abroad linkages, and faculty exchange). These are signed by the fiscally responsible people in the units, usually the Deans. If Purdue has an Activity Agreement, then a university-wide MOU may be requested by the Dean of International Programs, either before or shortly after the Activity Agreement is signed. This is so there is a record of the fact that the two institutions both know that units within them are embarking on collaborative activities.

3) A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is signed by the chief academic officers at each institution (e.g. Purdue's Provost). Purdue has a specific procedure involving IP, Sponsored Programs, and other offices. MOUs are non-specific and non-binding, but they are institution-wide and formal. They initiate or memorialize a relationship between the two universities, with a promise to discuss collaboration. Faculty members interested in discussing new MOUs with the Dean of International Programs should first consider some of the following questions:

-What type of informal ties currently exist?

-What areas of activity are of mutual interest?

-What are the respective institutional priorities?

-What are the benefits of the linkage to each partner?

-Is the necessary dedicated funding available at both institutions for the desired level of activity?

- What are the measurable outcomes that can be assessed?

It is particularly important that all conversations about initiating a MOU include the Office of International Programs, particularly when holding these conversations with international visitors on the Purdue campus. Contact IP for more information about MOUs (see example) as well as about faculty exchange, research collaboration, or other activity agreements. Past MOUs can be viewed on the Memorandum of Understanding and Faculty Exchanges page.