Calvin College occasionally has scholars on campus for extended periods of time in conjunction with its many Centers and Institutes. Many of these scholars remain detached from any particular department and go largely unnoticed by the campus at large.
The Calvin Visiting Scholar Program creates a more formalized program of visiting
scholars, including but not limited to those connected with Centers
and Institutes. Such a program encourages more scholars to choose Calvin
College as a place for sabbaticals and through this choice, further
enriches Calvin's 
intellectual life. Thus, a visiting scholars program:
- encourages scholars to choose Calvin College for their research leave,
- brings diversity to campus while maintaining Calvin's distinctly Reformed commitment,
- raises the visibility of visiting scholars, and
- ensures higher levels of hospitality for visiting scholars.
The purpose of the Calvin College Visiting Scholar Program is to encourage any scholars who are on research leave from their institutions to spend that time at Calvin. However, Visiting Scholars who cross cultural boundaries or boundaries of religious tradition are a priority. Scholars working in conjunction with campus research centers or institutes also have priority. In a given academic year the college will approve up to a maximum of two visiting scholars.
Calvin's Visiting Scholar Program is organized to also meet the support requirements of the Fulbright Visiting Scholars Program. If applicants are interested in coming to Calvin as a Fulbright Visiting Scholar, they should consult the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program's webpage, which is administered by the Council for the International Exchange of Scholars (CIES).
The Nomination Process:
- Applicants must begin by contacting an Academic Department at Calvin.
- Nominations for Calvin College Visiting Scholars must come through individual departments, to ensure that visiting scholars have a place within a department while they are here. Scholars should feel free to approach an academic department, asking for such an invitation. The Professional Status Committee will select the Visiting Scholar(s). However, their selection is dependent on the availability of office space and departmental capacity.
The latest date for consideration of an application is February 15th prior to the academic year for which the scholar is applying. All materials need to be received by the Dean for Research and Scholarship, from the nominating department, by that date. However, nominations can be submitted by the nominating department to the Office of the Provost at any time prior to the deadline, but typically in the fall of the year prior to the academic year of the visit.
These applications are reviewed as they are received. Thus, while the final deadline is February 15th, decisions on Visiting Scholars may be made much earlier. Thus departments should consult with the Dean for Research and Scholarship before submitting a nomination to ensure that appointments have not already been made. The Dean for Research and Scholarship reviews nominations with the other deans and the Provost. This Academic Council will inform the Professional Status Committee of its recommendation(s).
Nomination Materials Must Include:
- A letter of nomination from the prospective host department. This letter must make the case for the scholar’s nomination, explaining how well the individual meets the stated priorities of the program, explaining the general scholarly work of the nominee, and describing what the nominee would bring to the college community as well as the department.
- A letter from the interested candidate, requesting consideration as a Visiting Scholar.
- An up-to-date Curriculum Vita of the candidate.
What the College Provides to Visiting Scholars:
For those approved as Calvin Visiting Scholars, the College provides:
- an office either in the host department or elsewhere on campus (possibly library or Spoelhof Center);
- use of a computer;
- the opportunity to rent a modestly furnished college house on, available no sooner than the beginning of August and available until June 30 of the following year (This house is available for the first visiting scholar approved in a given year.); Calvin does not pay for or subsidize housing for visting scholars, however, the host department may also assist in locating rental housing near Calvin's campus;
- faculty privileges in terms of use of library, and other facilities;
- the college does not provide a Visiting Scholar salary or any related benefits (including health insurance or subsidies for Christian day-school education).
Departments’ Role as Hosts:
The individual department within which the scholar is housed acts as host. This means that once approval is received from the Professional Status Committee, the department is the contact on the campus in terms of logistics and hosting. This includes:
- designating one person in the department as the “host coordinator”;
- providing help, upon arrival, in getting oriented to the Grand Rapids area and Calvin College;
- coordination of linens, towels, home art and small appliances for the furnished college house;
- inclusion in departmental and college activities to the extent desired by the scholar;
- resolution of visa-related issues along with Human Resources Office;
- coordination and publicity for campus-wide presentations;
- announcement of the scholar’s presence on campus via departmental web pages and Calvin News; and
- coordination of efforts of making the presence of the scholar known on campus so interested parties and committees that organize campus events might be able to benefit from the visitor’s residency and the scholar may benefit from his/her time on campus. These interested parties might include Centers or Institutes, the Multi-Cultural Affairs Committee, or individual faculty who have similar interests.
Important Contacts on Campus for Departments:
- The Human Resources Office works with departments and visiting scholars on all issues relating to legal status and visas.
- Heidi Rienstra, Executive Assistant, Provost’s Office, is a resource for the department related to information on apartment complexes open to renting to such individuals and car dealerships which have negotiated contracts with visitors to Calvin in the past. Heidi Rienstra is also the contact in terms of arranging office space.
- Donna Anema, Provost’s Office, must make all visitors “legal” in the system prior to contacting CIT for computer and computer account.
- Henry DeVries is the contact for departments related to campus housing and all related issues.
Visa Issues and Calvin Requirements:
Upon approval by the Professional Status Committee, international visiting scholars should immediately apply through the Calvin College Human Resources Office for governmental permission to study in the United States. All materials must be to the Human Resources Office by April 1st. The process of obtaining a visa may take up to four or five months. Once arrival and departure dates are specified with the college, they cannot be changed. Thus, international visiting scholars should plan their dates of arrival and departure carefully.
**If the Visiting Scholar takes on a teaching assignment in conjunction with their scholarly work, he/she must meet all the requirements for part-time faculty.
Affiliated Visiting Scholars:
Calvin College always welcomes visiting scholars to its campus for short or longer lengths of time. While it can only accommodate two visitors an academic year under the Calvin College Visiting Scholars Program, this does not preclude other scholars from coming to Calvin College for varying lengths of time. Departments must get approval from their Academic Dean and must keep the Dean informed on arrangements being made for such visitors. Their coming does not require Professional Status Committee approval. The following can be provided:
- computer account;
- Calvin College I.D. which gives access to library, gym, etc.;
- invitation to Calvin College as part of visa process.
The provision of a computer and office is not guaranteed. And as with the Calvin College Visiting Scholars Program, the college does not provide salary or any related benefits to a visiting scholar including any accommodations for health insurance or subsidies for Christian day school education.
For more information Contact:
Heidi Rienstra
Executive Assistant and Office Manager
Office of the Provost
616.526.8604 | provost@calvin.edu