The University of Kansas School of Law regularly serves as host to visiting scholars from overseas. The aim of this "Overseas Visiting Scholars Program" is to provide an opportunity for professors, practitioners and graduate students from other countries to enrich their own experience and the KU law school community in a way that can lead to a long-term mutually beneficial relationship between the Scholar and our own faculty and students.
Criteria. In order to be eligible for an invitation to come to the KU law school as a Visiting Scholar, a person should meet these criteria:
(a) A prospective Visiting Scholar may be a foreign-based law teacher, legal practitioner or student enrolled in a graduate (i.e., doctoral or master's degree, but not first-degree) law program. The Visiting Scholar likely will be a foreign citizen, but in some cases may be an American citizen (e.g., working or teaching abroad).
(b) A prospective Visiting Scholar must have a defined research project on which he or she plans to work while in residence.
(c) A prospective Visiting Scholar must be sufficiently proficient in English so that he or she can engage in his or her research project. It is anticipated that some Visiting Scholars may wish to take English language courses while in residence.
(d) Consistent with the goal of the Visiting Scholar Program, a prospective Visiting Scholar should have strong credentials suggesting that he or she is, or is likely to become, a significant professional figure in his or her field in his or her home country.
Faculty Shepherd. A prospective Visiting Scholar must have communicated in advance with at least one member of the KU School of Law faculty with whom the Scholar would like to work while in residence. The Visiting Scholar and that faculty member must agree the faculty member will serve as the "Shepherd" for the Scholar while the Scholar is in residence.
Application. A prospective Visiting Scholar must apply by sending a cover letter indicating his or her interest, and a resume. These documents must be sent to Dean and the faculty member who has agreed to serve as a Shepherd.
Appointment. The decision to appoint a person as a Visiting Scholar is made by the Dean, in consultation with the prospective Shepherd and possibly other interested faculty. The appointment is made by a letter of invitation from the Dean, or with the permission of the Dean, from the Shepherd. The appointment shall be as a "Visiting Scholar." However, in rare and appropriate circumstances, the Dean may wish to adjust this title commensurate with the distinction of the visitor to, for example, "Distinguished Visiting Scholar.
Expectations. While in residence, a Visiting Scholar is expected to
(a) Present the research project on which he is working at a public forum which KU law school faculty members may attend (e.g., a Legal Research Workshop or other suitable event); and
(b) Lead an informal discussion (e.g., a brown-bag lunch or Noon Forum) about the home country of the Visiting Scholar, which both students and faculty members may attend.
Term of appointment. The duration of residence for a Visiting Scholar is flexible, depending on the needs and interests of the Scholar, the Shepherd, and the KU law school. In most cases, it is expected the duration will not be less than one month, nor will it exceed one academic year plus the preceding or succeeding summer.
Office space and facilities. Subject to availability, a Visiting Scholar may receive office space and a computer that is linked to the Internet and a printer. Regular support staff assistance cannot be provided to a Visiting Scholar. However, limited help may be possible, occasionally, depending on the work volume of the support staff.
Travel and accommodations. A prospective Visiting Scholar must arrange his or her travel and residence accommodations. While individuals at KU law school may be of assistance in either or both of these matters, such assistance is not to be expected.
Visas. The KU School of Law cannot provide a prospective Visiting Scholar with assistance on visas or immigration. Accordingly, the prospective Visiting Scholar must arrange all requisite visas and immigration matters. There may be fellowship or scholarship programs through which the University of Kansas provides this assistance.
Fee. A modest fee is charged to Visiting Scholars. This fee covers the considerable expenses (both direct costs and overhead) that the KU law school incurs to provide excellent supporting services each Visiting Scholar enjoys. These include office facilities, computer access (hardware and software), access to all KU libraries, and other related on-campus benefits - plus the opportunity to attend any class at the law school. The fee is U.S. $5,000 per year (two semesters, including the summer), or U.S. $2,500 per semester (fall or spring semester). The fee is pro-rated for Visiting Scholars staying for a period other than a year or semester. In unusual circumstances, typically involving a prospective Visiting Scholar from a developing or least developed country who faces demonstrable financial hardship, a lower fee may be negotiated.
Funding. A prospective Visiting Scholar must arrange his or her own funding. Presently, and for the foreseeable future, no funds exist to cover expenses incurred by the Visiting Scholar, nor to pay a stipend. (However, the law school, like the rest of the university, welcomes Fulbright Scholars and waives tuition and fees for these Scholars.
