Dec. 9, 1997
Contact: Marketing & Communications
Phone: (201) 655-4333
E-mail: quarteronir@saturn.montclair.edu
New name reflects growth of international consortium
UPPER MONTCLAIR, N.J.
An international education consortium headquartered at Montclair State University has outgrown its name.
In response to the change of status of several of its member institutions, the study abroad and student exchange consortium of New Jersey's state institutions of higher education has changed its name from the New Jersey State College Council for International Education to the New Jersey
State Consortium for International Studies.
The New Jersey study abroad consortium started its operations in 1966 by sending students to the United Kingdom, Denmark and Israel, according to Dr. Benjamin Hadis, director of International Studies at MSU and executive director of the study abroad consortium, which filed for incorporation as a non-profit organization in 1989. By then, seven of the nine state colleges
and universities were members: Jersey City State College, Kean University, Montclair State University, William Paterson University, Rowan University, Richard Stockton College and the College of New Jersey. Since 1991, the consortium's central office has been located at MSU.
"Over the years, the New Jersey State Consortium for International Studies has developed into the longest continuously operated statewide consortium of its kind," Hadis said. "At present, it sends more than 250 students abroad each year, to study and learn. Students serviced by the consortium have access to more than 130 study abroad and student exchange programs in 50 countries. Regarded by international education professionals worldwide as a model state-based study abroad organization, the New Jersey consortium often receives inquiries from out-of-state colleagues on how to establish similar consortia."
Hadis said that the consortium's growth and success is good news for its members.
"One of the many advantages of operating as a consortium is that the extensive process of developing and monitoring study abroad and exchange programs is done at no cost to its member colleges and universities."
Detailed information on every consortium program, from courses to living arrangements and cost, is available on the Internet at http://alpha.montclair.edu/~hadisb/njscis.htm.
Additional information is also available by calling Hadis at (973) 655-4483 or by emailing him at hadisb@alpha.montclair.edu.