University Times

Joint statement by the University of Pittsburgh and the Institute for Shipboard Education concerning Semester at Sea, June 9, 2005

The Institute for Shipboard Education (“ISE”), the nonprofit 501(c)(3) that operates the Semester at Sea study-abroad program (the “program”), and the University of Pittsburgh (“University”), which provides academic credit to the program’s participants, have come to an agreement resolving their differences.

With this agreement, the University is no longer the academic sponsor for the program. ISE personnel will remain on the University campus under its current lease arrangement with the University until the end of August 2006. Under the terms of the agreement, the University will continue to provide academic credit through the spring 2006 semester. Credits will continue to be certified during this period for the summer 2005 voyage, the fall 2005 voyage and the spring 2006 voyage, ending in April 2006. The ISE is in discussions with potential future academic sponsors and anticipates no disruptions to its programs.

The ISE and the University have worked together, along with the Seawise Foundation, to deliver the program for more than 20 years. The program is one of which the University has been proud, especially because so many members of the University’s faculty and staff have made important contributions to it in the University’s role as academic sponsor.

The University notes with regret that it is ending its long-standing relationship with Semester at Sea, but changes in the program led the University to conclude it could no longer participate; thus, the parties reached a mutual agreement as to the terms severing their relationship.

The ISE has begun a search for a new academic sponsor for the program. The Institute has strong ties with many colleges and universities across the country and will seek to develop a new relationship with an institution that shares its mission and vision.

The ISE notes that as it looks to the future, it will do so with an appreciation of what has been accomplished during the past 25 years. It also notes that it takes pride in its close working relationship with its respected colleagues at the University of Pittsburgh in bringing global studies and remarkable international field experiences to thousands of undergraduate students. The ISE expresses the hope that the University — which, with its faculty, staff and students, has been an integral part of the history of shipboard education — will be a part of ISE’s future. ISE expresses sadness that its long-standing relationship with the University will not continue, but gratification that ISE will continue to make available opportunities that will further advance the mission of shipboard education and ensure its continued long-term success.

Any questions or concerns should be directed to the ISE at 1-800/854-0195.