Guidance on Course-Related Field Trips

Off-campus and co-curricular activities are invaluable in affording students the opportunity for first-hand exploration of their area of study or local communities. However, they can also cause conflicts with other coursework and student activities if timed outside the normal class period.  Adhering to the guidelines above will ensure that students can partake in these opportunities while preventing disruptions to the broader academic program:

• Faculty arranging for course-related trips should plan on those trips being contained within their original class meeting time.  
• If this is not possible, the evenings and weekends are the best alternatives to minimize conflicts with other academic requirements.  
• Field trips outside of a class meeting time cannot be required.  Any conflicts that arise may make it less likely for them to attend.  Faculty planning such trips should consult their department chair and/or the Provost’s Office.
• If a trip is approved for mid-week travel, the coordinating instructor must take responsibility for reaching out to academic or athletic faculty with whom students may have a conflicting obligation.  If at all possible, the instructor should contact each of these faculty members in advance of the semester.  It should not be left to students to make these inroads and bear the effort of navigating such conflicts.