Understanding the Different Types of Agreements
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
This agreement tends to be the first step in establishing a partnership. The scope of the agreement is generally to enhance mutual understanding and promote academic collaboration and cooperation through exploration of collaborative research, student and faculty exchange opportunities, student partnership programs, and other mutually agreed educational programs.
Student Partnership for Undergraduate and Graduate Studies.
The goal of these agreements is to provide qualified students from the partner university an opportunity study at RIT. The agreement outlines the program protocol allowing select students from the partner university to enroll in select coursework at RIT and apply for admission.
Faculty Exchange.
The goal of this agreement is to outline opportunities for faculty members of both institutions to teach, study, or conduct cooperative research. Generally exchanges will be on a one-to-one basis but need not be in the same semester.
Student Exchange
The goal of this agreement is to enable students to take classes as a non-degree seeking student, generally for one academic term. Students remain enrolled and pay tuition to their home institution. Exchange partnerships must be balanced, generally on a one-to-one basis, but may not be in the same semester.
Affiliation
The goal of an affiliation agreement is to outline the opportunity and protocol for a student to directly enroll in the partner institution as a study abroad student.
Direct Billing
The goal of the direct billing agreement is to outline the protocol and services provided in support of an RIT study abroad program.