MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY AND THE FACULTY OF ARCHITECTURE, UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG Memorandum of Agreement ("MOA") between Princeton University (Princeton) with a principal address at Princeton, NJ 08544 USA, acting through its School of Architecture, and The University of Hong Kong (HKU), a non-profit corporation organized under the Hong Kong Ordinance (Chapter 1053 of 1964) with its principal place of business at Pokfulam, Hong Kong SAR, acting through its Faculty of Architecture, regarding the exchange of students commencing in the autumn semester of 2009. General The two institutions named above agree to a student exchange program (the Exchange ) whereby a maximum of two undergraduate students from Princeton will attend HKU and a maximum of two undergraduate students from HKU will attend Princeton for one academic semester each year. The goals of this program are 1) to promote scholarly activities, 2) to foster mutual understanding in areas of professional interest, 3) to gain better understanding of the teaching process and teaching philosophy in the field of architecture in both countries, and 4) to facilitate broader cross-cultural links among professionals from both countries. The Exchange shall be governed by the terms set forth below. Administration The Office of International Programs (OIP) will coordinate the admission process at Princeton and provide the applicants from HKU with the necessary information about applying to and attending Princeton (e.g., course offerings, health insurance, visas, orientation). The Office of International Student Exchange (OISE) at HKU will coordinate the admissions process at HKU and provide Princeton students with the necessary information about applying to and attending HKU. In addition to an administrative liaison, each institution will designate an academic adviser in Architecture. At Princeton, the adviser will be the departmental representative in the School of Architecture, currently Professor Mario Gandelsonas. At HKU, the current adviser is Associate Professor Renato Garcia. Number of Students The two institutions agree to use all reasonable efforts to encourage two undergraduate students from Princeton to attend HKU together in one semester and two HKU undergraduate students to attend Princeton together for one semester each year. The goal is for the first Princeton students to attend HKU and for the first HKU students to attend Princeton for one semester of the 2009-2010 academic year. Princeton students and HKU students will participate in the Exchange in the autumn or spring semester.
Selection of Students A. Initial Screening The School of Architecture and the OIP at Princeton will review the applications from undergraduates with a concentration in Architecture who wish to attend HKU and will submit the HKU nomination form to the Office International Student Exchange by March 31 for the autumn semester (early September to late December) and October 1 for the spring semester (mid-january to late May). Nominated students must have at least a B average for the previous academic year and have the appropriate academic preparation for their proposed program of study. The OISE will then invite the nominees to submit an online admission application, and the OIP will submit original supporting documents to HKU. Students must have junior standing at the start of the Exchange. HKU will review the dossiers of students who wish to attend Princeton and forward to the OIP those recommended for admission as visiting exchange students no later than March 31 for the autumn semester (early September late January) and October 1 for the spring semester (early February late May). Nominated students must have at least an overall B average. The OIP will then forward the dossiers to the School of Architecture at Princeton for review. Each dossier will consist of an application form, an official transcript, a letter of recommendation, a statement from the student outlining the reasons for applying to Princeton, and a resume. Admitted students will be in their second year or penultimate year of the Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies (BAAS) Program during the exchange period. Selections at both institutions will be based on demonstrated academic and design ability and personal maturity. B. Admissions Decisions The host university, whether Princeton or HKU, will have sole discretion in making admission decisions. The host university will make every effort to make decisions within two weeks of receipt of the applications. The students will be notified directly by letter from the host university of the admissions decision, and a copy of the decision letter will be sent to each coordinating office at the home university. At Princeton, the address is Office of International Programs, 36 University Place, Suite 350, Princeton University, and Princeton, NJ 08544, USA. At HKU, the address is Office of International Student Exchange, 9/F Knowles Building, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong. Academic Plan, Rights, Privileges and Responsibilities Princeton students attending HKU on the Exchange, and HKU students attending Princeton on the Exchange, will have the same academic duties and the same rights, privileges and responsibilities, and shall be subject to the same academic policies and procedures as regular students in the respective institutions. Both Princeton students at HKU, and HKU students at Princeton, will be required to register for an undergraduate architecture design studio. Both groups of students will be expected to 2
be in residence at the host university from the start of the respective term through final exam period of that term. The exchange students rights and privileges include access to all libraries and studio facilities on the same basis as regular students of the host institution. HKU students at Princeton will be subject to the same performance review procedures as Princeton students, and Princeton students at HKU will be subject to the same performance review procedures as HKU students. This includes participation in final exams and studio reviews as outlined in the curriculum of the host institution. Exchange students at both institutions will receive a grade in the subjects taken. Financial Arrangements Students will pay tuition directly to the host institution and will be responsible for all transportation, room and board expenses (including break periods), passport and visa expenses, and personal expenses, such as independent travel, books, course materials, telephone calls, books, and service fees. Orientation Each institution will provide (a) a pre-departure orientation to participating exchange students that will include a summary of the relevant provisions of this Agreement and any special protocol and (b) a post-arrival orientation for exchange students to provide guidance on the programs, policies and regulations of the host institution, including those for the exchange students. Registration Students will register and will retain their status and privileges at their home institution during their participation in the Exchange. While on the Exchange, Princeton students will be registered at Princeton as students on study abroad and at the host institution as Full-Time Exchange Students. HKU students will be registered at HKU as Full-Time Students and at Princeton as Exchange Students. No degrees will be granted by the host institution as part of this program. Princeton students and HKU students on the Exchange will not be eligible for financial aid or employment at the host institution. Maintenance of Student Status At the beginning of the Exchange semester, the host university will notify the other in writing that the students on the Exchange have matriculated at the host university for the semester as expected. The host university also will notify the other if a student withdraws, if the student drops or is known to discontinue a course of study, or if the student is otherwise no longer taking the full-time program of study agreed to by both institutions. Any of these changes in registration will affect the immigration status of international students. Upon change, the student should immediately contact the OIP at Princeton or HKU s Center of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) as applicable. 3
Student Conduct During the period of participation in the program, all students shall abide by all policies and regulations in effect at the host institution. Princeton students at HKU, since they remain enrolled as degree candidates at Princeton, must also adhere to Princeton s standards of conduct as described in Rights, Rules, and Responsibilities. The host institution shall have the right to terminate the participation of any student in the exchange program and in any other program, service, or benefit at any time if such students academic work or behavior is not suitable in the judgment of the host institution. Whenever practicable, such termination of participation in the exchange program will not be effected without prior consultation by the host institution with the home institution. Any expenses resulting from the involuntary withdrawal would be borne by the exchange student. Transfer Credit and Grades All Princeton students will enroll in a normal full-time course load of 30 credits for the semester in accordance with the regular degree requirements of HKU, which will include a full design studio. After the completion of the semester, HKU will send a transcript and other relevant documentation indicating the courses taken and the grades earned to the OIP at Princeton. Transcripts will arrive no later than mid- February for the autumn semester and the end of July for the spring semester. Princeton agrees that credits earned by Princeton students while attending HKU will be accepted towards the students degree programs, provided that the courses have been pre-approved by Princeton and the grades earned are equivalent to a C or above. All HKU students will enroll in a minimum of three courses during the semester plus a design studio, with four courses being the standard course load at Princeton. Students may choose courses in any department, assuming that the equivalent prerequisites have been completed. At the end of the semester, the students will receive a Princeton transcript, which lists the courses taken and grades earned as well as the grade for the design studio (Independent Work). Transcripts will be available the second week of February for students studying in the autumn and the first week of June for students studying in the spring. Students will be able to order additional transcripts directly from the host institution. Medical and Health Insurance Students must purchase the medical insurance required by the host institution, or demonstrate to its satisfaction that medical insurance carried by, or on behalf of, such students is sufficient for all purposes of the host institution. The cost of any medical insurance required hereunder as well as any medical expenses not covered by such insurance shall be the personal responsibility of the exchange students. 4
Lodging and Meals Both HKU and Princeton students participating in the Exchange will be guaranteed accommodation in on-campus residence halls throughout the duration of the exchange program. The cost for room and meals is the responsibility of the student. Visas Upon accepting a Princeton student for the Exchange, HKU will provide the student with a letter of acceptance and other documents required to apply for a student visa to enter Hong Kong as a student. Upon accepting an HKU student for the Exchange, Princeton will provide the student with a letter of acceptance and other documents required to apply for a student visa and to enter the United States of America as a student. For Princeton students to enter Hong Kong to study for a semester at HKU, they must nominate HKU s CEDARS as their visa sponsor and must submit the required documentation to CEDARS, including the completed application for sponsorship of a student visa, the completed visa application form ID(E)936, photocopies of appropriate documents, and proof of sufficient funds. HKU students must complete and return to Princeton the application for Visa Certificate, which provides evidence of sufficient funds for a semester of study at Princeton. Upon receipt and review, Princeton will provide HKU students with an I-20, which is necessary in order for the student to obtain an F-1 (student) visa at a U.S. consulate. Indemnification Each institution agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless the other from and against any claims, damages, liability or costs arising out of or in connection with the performance or non-performance of this MOA, to the extent such claims, damages, liability or costs arise out of negligence or willful acts or omissions of the institution or any of its agents or employees. Term and Termination This agreement will take effect from the date of signature by the chief officers of Princeton and HKU and will remain in force for three (3) years, until the conclusion of the 2011-2012 academic year. This MOA constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all previously made oral or written agreements or protocols between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. It may be extended by the mutual written consent of the parties and can be amended only by the exchange of letters signed by both parties. Such amendments, once approved by both institutions, will become part of this MOA. Either party may terminate this agreement for any reason upon written notice to the other party. Such notice must be received no later than January 1 to take effect in the following academic year. In addition, either Princeton or HKU may terminate this agreement if in the exercise of its reasonable judgment, it is determined that the safety and well being of its students might be jeopardized by their participation in the program. 5
Miscellaneous Each of Princeton and HKU shall act on its own behalf in all relations with a third party, and neither institution shall be responsible for any commitments of the other institution. Princeton and HKU shall remain independent of one another and nothing herein shall be construed or interpreted, by implication or otherwise, to form a partnership, agency, joint venture or other formal business association. Princeton and HKU subscribe to the policy of equal opportunity and do not discriminate on any basis, including but not limited to race, caste, sex, age, ethnicity, religion, or national origin. PRINCETON UNIVERSITY By: UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG By: Christopher Eisgruber Provost Ralph Lerner FAIA Dean of the Faculty of Architecture 6