Eastern is working to bring the world to campus.symbolically, at least.

Eastern’s International Programs Advisory Committee is developing plans to build an International Courtyard east of Blair Hall that would include the image of a globe as part of the flooring.

The idea for the courtyard began three years ago as a discussion between the advisory committee, said Robert Augustine, dean of the graduate school.

“Several years ago, we were developing some long-range plans for international education and one of the items of discussion was to create a physical presence for international education on our campus,” Augustine said.

The courtyard will be a place for international students to gather as well as a symbol of Eastern’s international education programs, officials said. The courtyard will be used at the start of every school year to welcome Eastern’s international students.

“It is to represent that we bring in students to Eastern from around the world,” Augustine said. “We really want to have a place that symbolizes our commitment to international education.”

Plans to develop the courtyard have been mixed with plans for Eastern to reconnect with international alumni as well, Augustine said.

“As part of our strategic planning with the international programs group, we also developed an International Alumni Advisory Board,” he said.

The board includes 12 members of Eastern’s international alumni who reside in the United States. The board has been included in developing plans for the courtyard.

“We feel that it’s important that we honor and recognize the contributions that international students have made and the way that they represent Eastern around the world,” said Sue Songer, international student adviser. “We’re working diligently to reconnect so that the former students of EIU will be part of the (courtyard) project.”

Songer said it has been difficult to stay in contact with international alumni because of the cost of international mail and telephone calls, but that has changed with the increased use of the Internet.

The new International Alumni Advisory Board as well as the Association for International Students has worked closely with the International Programs Advisory Committee to develop plans on the courtyard.

The project is currently in the fundraising stage, which Augustine expects to last until 2010. Funding for the project will come completely from donations and is expected to cost between $300,000 and $400,000.

Jill Nilsen, vice president for external relations, is working to help get the word out about the courtyard and the need for donations to the university and alumni.

“We’re going to have to collect the funds before the construction can begin,” Nilsen said.

Plans for the courtyard flooring include a map of the world made out of terrazzo, flagpoles to fly various flags and a pergola, or a covered walkway, between the courtyard and the sidewalk.

Plans for the courtyard were developed by RATIO Architects, Inc., the same company that developed plans for the recent Blair Hall renovations, Augustine said. There is no expected completion date for the project at this time.

Eastern hosts approximately 150 international students from 45 different countries every year, Augustine said.

Anyone with questions or interest in donating to the courtyard can contact Jill Nilsen’s office at 581-5983.