FIELD TRIPS	No. 4-10	Rev. 12-14-89
		Date 4-20-77

I. REFERENCES

PPM 5-32, Travel

PPM 5-33, Motor Vehicle Use

PPM 6-10a, Student Alcohol and Drug Policy

PPM 3-30b, Alcoholic Beverage Policy

Motor Vehicle Code, Utah Code Ann. Section 41-6-44 (Unlawful Transportation of Alcoholic Beverages)

Alcoholic Beverage Control Act, Utah Code Ann. Section 32A-12-28 (Unlawful Transportation of Alcoholic Beverages)

II. DEFINITIONS

A. Field Trip

A journey or excursion away from the University campus, whether or not in University vehicles, involving two or more persons, that is organized and/or sponsored by an operating unit of the University or by a faculty member or other authorized employee of the University, for academic, research or recreational purposes that are related to an approved program or activity of the University. "Field trip" does not include travel by athletic teams and related personnel within the Athletic Department, who are governed by approved policies of that department.

B. Trip Director

The faculty or staff member designated to be in charge of a field trip.

III. POLICIES

A. Authorization

Field trips are authorized as part of the educational process at Weber State University. Some field trips are required as "laboratory" learning experiences integral and essential to a course, some supplement the classroom experiences in other ways and some are connected with extracurricular activities.

B. Approval

Field trips are to be approved by the dean and/or department chair or equivalent administrator and should be scheduled in advance so that participants can make arrangements with other classes to facilitate participation. Participation in a field trip does not excuse the student from fulfilling the requirements of his/her other courses. Specific written approval for the authorized possession of alcoholic beverages during "working hours" (see F, 1 below) must be obtained from a University administrator at the dean or equivalent level.

C. Costs

The costs for the field trip may be charged to the participating students or to the University as deemed appropriate by the department and/or college.

D. Transportation

Chartered buses or appropriate public carrier should be used whenever feasible to transport students on in-state or out-of-state field trips.  Where a public carrier is not feasible, the University will attempt to furnish at least one school motor vehicle for the trip director's use or will reimburse the trip director for use of a personal car at the rate shown in the University Travel Policy (PPM 5-32, Schedule I). Additional motor vehicles may be checked out by the trip director, who will be responsible for them. Any licensed driver including University staff or students may drive a University vehicle with the permission of the trip director.

1. Students may travel in a car driven by a faculty member, staff or student driver, but all drivers are strictly prohibited from accepting remuneration from the students on such trips.

2. Students are permitted to drive their own vehicles on field trips with the approval of the trip director.  Such students, and those transported by them, must obtain the same University insurance coverage required of other field trip participants. To eliminate uncertainties concerning the duration of insurance coverage, the University will specify where each field trip begins and ends. Students driving their personal vehicles will be reimbursed at the rate shown in the University Travel Policy (PPM 5-32, Schedule I).

E. Insurance

Weber State University students participating in a field trip held under the auspices of Weber State University, whether as a part of a course of study or as an extracurricular activity, must obtain trip insurance from the Weber State University Cashier's Office for the length of time required by the field trip. Weber State University faculty and staff members on field trips as part of their assigned duties are covered by the state liability insurance and workers' compensation insurance.

F. University Responsibility

The University recognizes that it is obligated under the law to establish and ensure compliance with all applicable requirements of federal and state law and all applicable University regulations, including but not limited to the Weber State University Policy and Procedures Manual and the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, in connection with field trips.

1. The trip director has the responsibility to enforce compliance with University policies by all persons participating in the field trip. For this purpose, the field trip director shall designate working hours as that time to be spent on University-sponsored activities within the purpose of the trip. Hours not so designated shall not be considered as part of the University-sponsored activity.

2. No person shall be permitted to participate on a field trip unless a "Statement of Understanding," properly completed and signed pursuant to Section IV, G, below, is on file for that person in the office of the responsible department chair or director before the field trip commences.

3. The trip director is responsible for the prudent care and operation of University-owned vehicles used on field trips from the time at which possession of the vehicle is taken until it has been returned to University control.

4. Only a duly licensed adult (i.e., age 18 years or older) who has been authorized by the trip director may operate a motor vehicle, whether or not the vehicle is owned by the University, to transport persons on a field trip.  No driver may operate a vehicle during a field trip for longer than ten (10) hours without a rest period of at least eight (8) hours nor between the hours of midnight and 5:00 a.m.

5. The trip director must obtain assurance, prior to the commencement of the field trip, that any vehicle not owned by the University and used on the field trip will be covered throughout the period of the trip by a motor vehicle liability insurance policy, currently in effect, with limits of coverage and liability that satisfy the requirements of the Utah Motor Vehicle Safety Responsibility Act (1953 Utah Code Ann. 41-12-1 et seq.).

6. Funds administered by the University may not be used to supply alcoholic beverages to persons participating on a field trip.

7. While actually using any vehicle for field trip purposes, or during "working hours," consumption of alcoholic beverages by any participant on a field trip is prohibited.

8. No narcotics, illegal drugs or other controlled substances may be in the possession of, or used by, any person engaged in the field trip except for purposes specifically permitted by the Utah Controlled Substances Act.

9. No person engaged in field trip activities may possess or use any kind of firearm for any purpose, except as may be expressly authorized by the trip director.  The person so authorized must be reasonably knowledgeable and proficient in the use of the particular firearm, and its possession or use must be necessary to carry out the purposes of the trip.

10. Each student participant is expected to comply with all applicable provisions of the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, and each faculty member is expected to comply with all applicable provisions of the Weber State University Policy and Procedures Manual, during the field trip, and to obey all applicable provisions of the law of the state and nation in which the field trip activities take place. All participants are individually responsible for their personal conduct while on the field trip, and the University has no obligation to intercede or undertake to protect them from the legal consequences of violations of law for which they may be responsible.

G. Statement of Understanding

1. Each person, prior to participating in a University-sponsored field trip, must personally sign (or if under 18 years of age must obtain the signature of his or her parent(s) or guardian) upon an agreement reading substantially as shown in the attached Appendix,

which shall be filed in the sponsoring department's office prior to the commencement of the field trip.

2. Persons who are expected to participate on more than one field trip during any academic year (i.e., July 1 to the following June 30, inclusive) are not regularly required to sign a separate Statement of Understanding for each trip, provided there is on file in the pertinent office a duly signed Statement that is accurate and up-to-date prior to each field trip taken during that academic year.

3. The filing of such statements may be required as a condition of registration in any course in which participation in one or more field trips is anticipated.

IV. PROCEDURES

A. Departmental Responsibilities

The chair or director of each department or operating unit that sponsors field trips shall be responsible for enforcing University policies relating to field trips, for notifying students of the requirements of this Field Trip Policy and Procedure and for maintaining files of the Statements of Understanding required by Section IV, G, above.

B. Sanctions

1. Violations of this Field Trip Policy may be the basis of appropriate sanctions, including the initiation of formal charges under applicable provisions of the Weber State University Policy and Procedures Manual or the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook.

2. While actually engaged in a field trip, the trip director may enforce the provisions of this Field Trip Policy by withdrawal or limitation of privileges or, in the event of repeated violations, by excluding the offending person from further participation and arranging to return the offender to the campus or to convey him or her to the nearest point of public transportation for return to the campus. The cost of such return transportation is a proper charge against University funds, but the University reserves the right to obtain reimbursement from the offender.

C. Reports of Accidents

Any accident or other occurrence causing physical injury to person or property occurring in the course of a field trip, whether or not the injury is sustained by a participant on the field trip, shall be reported promptly pursuant to PPM 5-33.

APPENDIX - PPM 4-10

The undersigned hereby acknowledge(s) and agree(s) that:

1. (herein referred to as "Participant") expects and intends to participate in one or more field trips to be sponsored by Weber State University during the academic year ending June 30 following the execution of this Statement of Understanding.

2. In consideration of the University's sponsorship and direction of such field trip(s), participant hereby states that he/she has read and understands the terms and conditions of Weber State University PPM 4-10 and specifically agrees to be bound thereby.

3. Participant further agrees and understands that during each such field trip he/she will be under the direction and control of the trip director approved by Weber State University, and specifically agrees to comply with all reasonable directions and instructions by the trip director during the course thereof.

4. Participant fully understands and acknowledges that there are specific risks of injury to person and/or property that are associated with field trips, including risks related to travel hazards, terrain, weather, eating and sleeping arrangements and other circumstances. Participant specifically agrees to and voluntarily assumes the risk of such injuries, and hereby certifies and represents that participant will arrange for appropriate personal accident/health insurance coverage (e.g., hospital/medical insurance, student health insurance, University short-term accident insurance, etc.) during the period of each such field trip. Participant also certifies and represents that he/she is not presently under any form of medical treatment for physical infirmity, chronic illness or mental disorder that could affect his/her safe participation in field trip activities.

5. Participant understands and acknowledges that Weber State University assumes no liability for personal injuries or property damage to participants or to third persons arising out of field trips, except as may be required by law. Participant expressly agrees to indemnify and to hold the University harmless from any liability arising out of the acts or omissions of participant during any such field trip, whether resulting from participant's negligence or otherwise.

Date: 19 Signed:

Participant

[If participant is under age 18, the signature of at least one parent, or of a legal guardian, must be supplied:]

Date: 19 Signed:

(Parent or guardian)