The Student Life Team (SLT) implemented a new proctor operation plan starting this fall semester: some international students were selected as proctors instead of Freshman International Supports (FIS).
Proctors are college upperclassmen who provide guidance by conducting Happy College Life (HCL) and Exciting College Life (ECL) classes, which are mandatory courses for all freshmen, as well as staying in the same freshman dormitories. Previously, two Korean students, one male and one female, were assigned to the proctor positions, and one international student to an FIS position for Classes 27 to 31 — Fall semester classes which each consist of about 20 international students and 10 Korean students who graduated from foreign high schools. However, starting this semester, one Korean student was selected as a proctor, while two international students were recruited for the remaining proctor position and as an FIS except Class 27, where two Korean proctors and one FIS lead the class.
The KAIST Herald interviewed Kangwon Lee from the SLT in charge of managing Happy/Exciting College Life regarding this new change. Lee explained the main motive behind implementing this new system: problems had surfaced in the past around both proctors being composed of only Korean students, as having two Korean proctors sometimes subconsciously excluded international students, leading them to feel alienated. Therefore, the SLT decided to try out a new proctor system of selecting foreign proctors so that both Korean and international students can blend together well. He pointed out that treatment, activities, and essential obligations of Korean and international students will still remain the same.
In addition, questions have been raised about whether it is necessary to select Korean students for both proctor positions. In response to these issues, international and Korean students were provided with an equal chance. The SLT guided international applicants with excellent qualities who spoke English and Korean fluently and knew Korean culture well toward becoming a proctor. Lee also stated that after one year of operation until the spring semester of 2022, problems will be identified and a new operation plan will be established. For instance, it might be necessary to consider removing the FIS position if this new system of having one international and one Korean proctor works effectively.
The selection of international proctors stands to reason, since the majority of the students in Classes 27 to 31 are international students. Giving Korean and international students a better opportunity to “mingle” with each other, this change might be the very first step towards President Kwang Hyung Lee's “Internationalization” initiative of QAIST: not just increasing the number of international students, but integrating them as members of both KAIST and Korean society.