Field trips constitute a significant component of all of the college's academic programs in Rome, offering both stimulating experiences and frequent logistical challenges on most occasions. In order to create the best possible conditions for a successful trip, and a positive experience for all participants, the following guidelines must be observed by all participants:

 

1. Participation in field trips is limited to students enrolled in the semester program, graduate assistants and program faculty and staff. In addition, members of the immediate families of the above participants (i.e., spouses and/or children, but not parents, grandparents, and other relatives or friends), and special guests of the program, may also be allowed to join field trips at the discretion of the resident director.

 

In the event that a student or faculty member does wish to include a spouse or child in any of the scheduled field trips, he or she must notify the resident director within the first few weeks of the semester, and must prepay the costs of hotel accommodations, travel arrangements and entrance fees for their guests.

 

2. Field trips are offered as essential educational experiences, integral to the academic intentions of the program. Unless otherwise stated, participation is mandatory. Exceptions will be made only at the discretion of the program leader. Any student unable to participate in a specific field trip must notify the program at least three weeks in advance, except in cases of extreme illness. Personal travel plans will not constitute an adequate reason for not participating in program trips.

 

3. Field trip costs for group travel, hotel accommodations, and entrance fees to principal sites are included in the program fee. Meals, local transportation (on an individual basis), and entrance fees to sites suggested but not required are the individual responsibility of each participant. Participants will be given an estimated budget for personal expenses in advance of the trips.

 

4. The faculty in general, and the program leaders specifically, are responsible for all decisions regarding field trip itineraries both before and during a trip. Field trip participants must agree to follow the directions and requests of the faculty as a condition of their participation. Decisions are open to discussion at an appropriate time, at the discretion of the faculty.

 

5. Participants are asked to make every effort to be on time for scheduled activitiesâ€"departures, group meetings, etc. Schedules are sometimes changed in response to unanticipated circumstancesâ€"transit strikes, traffic delays, road closures, etc.â€"but in such cases participants will be notified as promptly as possible. Please keep in mind that trains do not wait for passengers who are late, and a chartered bus will not be delayed unreasonably. If a participant is not present at the time of departure, it will be his or her responsibility to make arrangements to catch up with the group. Unless you are prepared to do so, don't be late.

 

6. The consumption of alcohol is not allowed on chartered buses, in hotel rooms, and in any other situation in which the consequences of its consumption might interfere with a participant's ability to fully and effectively take part in organized field trip activities or compromise the safety and well-being of themselves or their traveling companions. Good common sense in this regard should be sufficient, but where it fails, faculty authority must be respected.

 

7. Participants must agree to comply with all posted or otherwise indicated regulations and restrictions concerning photography, access, etc., particular to the sites visited. If there is any question, ask the faculty.

 

8. Participants on extended trips involving overnight stays must carry their passports.