104. Memorandum From the Director of the United States Information Agency (Marks) to All United States Information Agency Public Affairs Officers and Cultural Affairs Officers1
Recently some reports have reached me regarding lack of understanding of the educational exchange programs of the Department of State (CU) on the part of some Public Affairs Officers and Cultural Affairs Officers. I believe these reports may be based on inadequate information or poor communication, but the fact that such misunderstanding may exist is a matter of serious concern to me.
I am therefore writing this letter to make my views clear.
The USIS post abroad is responsible for administering the programs of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs in the field. I expect the PAO—who has overall responsibility for both USIA and CU functions—and the CAO—to whom operating responsibility for the latter is generally delegated—to discharge these responsibilities with as much understanding, insight, and knowledge as they bring to their conduct of the USIA program.
I expect other USIS officers to have a good general knowledge of the nature and purposes of the exchange programs, and as much specific information as their position requires.
I particularly wish to call to your attention the role of the Board of Foreign Scholarships as specified in the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961 (P. L. 87–256), which is the legislative authority for the CU programs.2 Under this Act the Board has the statutory responsibility for supervising the academic programs authorized by the Act, as well as for the selection of the academic grantees. The policies of the Board are thus binding on all those who administer the academic programs—on CU in Washington and on USIA in the field.
In the 48 countries where a Binational Commission has been established by agreement of the United States and the host government, it [Page 315] is the policy of the Board of Foreign Scholarships that the Commission program be truly binational in character. Needless to say, the responsible officers should be guided by this policy, both in its letter and in its spirit.
While the USIA and CU programs are closely related and mutually supporting, each has its own philosophy, objectives, statutory basis and method of operation. I expect USIA officers to carry out their responsibilities for both programs with due regard for the special characteristics of each.
Although I am sure you have all read the Fulbright-Hays Act, I think it would be well for you to refresh your memories about it. A copy is being sent to each post, marked for the personal attention of the PAO and CAO.
- Source: National Archives, RG 306, Subject Files, 1955–1971, Acc. #69–H–3445 [A], Entry UD WW 200, Box 174, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (CU), 1966. No classification marking.↩
- The Board of Foreign Scholarships, also known as the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, was established by the U.S. Congress to oversee the worldwide Fulbright Program as authorized by the Fulbright-Hays Act. The Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 expanded the Board’s authority. The Board was, and continues to be, responsible for setting policy for the Academic Exchange Program under the Act and oversees the program.↩