Your department may have an ongoing exchange of some kind or collaboration with a sister institution abroad and you may want to invite someone from that institution to be at RISD (not to teach) and the visit will be longer than the 9 days allowable by either the B visa and visa waiver. Likewise, departments are contacted each year by potential visitors (typically international faculty who will be on sabbatical during the upcoming academic year) and at times by the Fulbright Program. Whether a department head is considering an invitation that fits the former description or an unsolicited request, they are advised to ask "does the department have the capacity** to host? and+ how will the guest will benefit the department?" Please note that only department heads (not faculty) can answer these questions and are the first level of approval for visiting artists, designers and scholars.
If you answer no to these questions, forward the person's request to RISD Global. RISD Global will respond politely on behalf of the college and track the contact.
If you can answer yes to the questions, send your recommendation to the dean with the cv of the person with their letter of inquiry.
The Dean will review the proposal with ISSA to assess capacity, align with strategic goals, and sketch the plan for the residency if relevant.
If the proposal is approved, the College will arrange an English language competency evaluation (as required by the State Department for J1 visitors). If the proposed guest has adequate English proficiency to proceed with their proposed project ISSA will facilitate the J1 visa for the visitor.
** capacity = the department welcomes and can involves the visitor in the life of the department in an ongoing way; can create opportunities for the visitor to be engaged with members of the community across campus; can strategically promote the presence of the visiting artist; can provide work space (office or studio). Administrative/technical support can only be promised by supervisor and may require re-ordering of staff priorities.
If approved for a RISD sponsored J1 visa, Human Resources will have a background check conducted on the person as required for all employees of the College and Academic Administration will facilitate a faculty ID card with all the privileges: Museum membership, RISD and Brown Library access, RIPTA.
This policy and process was approved unanimously by vote by the Deans Council on October 18, 2016.