Founding Document of IAMSCU

International Association of Methodist-related Schools, Colleges, and Universities (IAMSCU)

(Accepted by the founding group of Methodist-related school, college, and university chief executive officers, July 26-27, 1991.)

Preamble

Education is an important mission of Methodists around the world. In some countries Methodist education is quite mature, involving over 200 years of development and experience, whereas in other countries the quest for education is just beginning. We share many common goals and ideals. We know that it is desirable to pool our wisdom and to learn from one another. It is within this diversity of experience and heritage of common roots that we seek to develop closer cooperative and supportive relationships among the Methodist-related educational institutions and those with a Methodist tradition for our mutual benefit.

Association Members

Methodist-related schools, colleges, and universities and those with a Methodist tradition from throughout the world.

Association Representatives

Chief executive officers or their designates from each member institution.

Mission Statement

To promote the development of quality and value-centered education, thereby providing better life for people.

Goals

1. To increase the availability of education opportunities throughout the world;

2. To improve the quality of education; and

3. To enable Methodist-related educational institutions and those with a Methodist tradition to cooperate through the development of common understandings.

Strategy

To develop an informal, flexible, and highly functional association to accomplish significant goals for education. The Association will convene its own work as well as make suggestions and recommendations to other bodies, including the Standing Committee on Education of the World Methodist Council.

The representatives may involve others from their institutions and may contribute resources when the work provides for a high degree of mutual benefit.

Organization and Officers

At each World Methodist Conference, the Association will hold meetings to select a convener and a steering committee to guide the Association representatives in their work, including plans for programs for subsequent meetings, conferences and consultations. The need for bylaws or other working guides will be addressed by the Association as needed. The convener shall be a member (if invited) of the World Methodist Council Standing Committee on Education.

Association Programs

The Association programs will be defined by the member institutions. At present, the following types of "institutional" and "association" level activities are envisioned:

• Institutional Level Programs: exchange of staff, information, and educational resources; provision of management and technical assistance; discussion of common issues, problems, and opportunities for improving education  
• Association Level Programs: association directory and newsletter; sponsor conferences and consultations; form informal working groups for crucial research and development projects or programs; facilitate the awareness and use of advanced educational methods and resources; create dialogue on such issues as curriculum development and standards, staff development, financial planning and development, etc.

*Coordination and Support

The Steering Committee will provide the coordination and support. The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry of The United Methodist Church, Division of Higher Education, will provide some assistance to facilitate the work of the Association.

* Coordination and support are currently provided by the IAMSCU Board of Directors.