Policy 4.2.5 - Field Trips

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Field trips are considered a very important aid in the communication of knowledge, ideas, and understanding to students. Instructors are encouraged to plan and make use of this teaching aid. The following regulations should be observed:

A. Planning

1. Field trips are to be planned in advance, with pre-instruction, post-discussion and evaluation being of prime importance in the planning.

2. The industry, business or destination visited should be engaged in practices which demonstrate something related to the subject matter being covered in the course.

3. All arrangements are to be made by the instructor in advance of the trip.

4. Transportation shall be arranged by the instructor. Students must bear the cost of transportation unless travel is being otherwise arranged by the College in advance.

5. When students on a field trip are to miss classes taught by other instructors at the College, prior approval is to be obtained from the instructors involved. Instructors may exchange class meeting times to make up hours lost if approved.

6. An approved Field Trip Form must be submitted and approved by the Dean or designee and appropriate Vice President at least five (5) days prior to the field trip.

7. Field trips that include minors require additional documentation and approval.

B. Use of Program Area Travel Funds

1. Each program area will be assigned a travel budget for the fiscal year. The Dean or designee is responsible for coordinating and regulating the use of these funds. All requests for use of the funds should be directed to the Program Director/Chairperson prior to the planned trip. Requests for travel reimbursement from State funds, which do not have prior approval by the Program Director/Chairperson and the appropriate Vice President, will not be honored.

2. For in-state travel, out-of-state travel, or other special action, a Travel Authorization Form must be submitted along with the Field Trip Form.

C. Voluntary Educational Travel

1. The College may offer students and employees the opportunity to participate in educational travel experiences that are not a requirement of any course or degree or diploma program. The purpose of these trips is to provide educational experiences for students and employees. Student and employee participation in these trips is voluntary.
2. All voluntary educational travel must be approved by the President prior to the College soliciting staff or students to participate.
3. The College, either directly or through a third-party travel agency, may charge students and employees participating in the trip the actual cost of all travel expenses, including but not limited to: transportation, lodging, food, travel insurance, taxes, activities and tours, and administrative costs. The College shall have no obligation to refund, in whole or in part, any participant for any amount of money paid directly to the College or a third party for a trip that is cancelled or postponed for any reason. If the College collects and holds money for an authorized trip and that trip is cancelled by the College, the College shall reimburse participants any remaining funds held in the trip account.
4. All trip participants are expected to sign a waiver releasing the College from liability for any injury or loss occurring during a trip. It is recommended that participants purchase travel insurance for all international travel and all travel lasting more than three (3) days.

Adopted: September 9, 2019
Amended: January 9, 2022