Representatives from each member institution, usually at the Dean-level or above, sit on a Steering Committee. This inter-institutional coordinating group meets twice per year, approves the allocation of SOCCIS resources, and discusses major issues relating to international studies in the region, including ways to collaborate and share resources. The Committee also considers federal, state and private sector support of international studies and initiatives affecting international and foreign area studies nationally and locally.
The SOCCIS structure includes the Steering Committee, six standing committees, and an executive office:
EXECUTIVE OFFICE - Provides central coordinating function
STEERING COMMITTEE - Inter-institutional coordinating group; high level representation from each campus
STANDING COMMITTEES - Working groups on specialized fields that draw upon faculty from SOCCIS institutions
One of the primary purposes of SOCCIS is to encourage inter-institutional sharing of resources in international and foreign area studies. Through its standing committees, SOCCIS has the mechanisms to facilitate such sharing in a number of foreign area fields. SOCCIS has also contributed to the internationalization of the curriculum and the development of instructors through co-sponsorship of the annual International Studies Summer Institute for precollegiate and community college educators. We place a high value on the SOCCIS Standing Committees, the network of area studies scholars, and the activities that are sponsored. In addition, the SOCCIS Executive Office coordinates and co-sponsors programs with Title VI funded centers, including the Center for International Relations, the Near Eastern Center, the European and Russian Studies Center, and the East Asian Studies Center. SOCCIS activities, such as colloquia and seminars, are also open to the public and offer forums for meaningful interaction between the institutions and the communities they serve.