NUMBER:
13-7-1
APPROVED DATE:
03-05-2012
BASED ON POLICY NUMBER AND TITLE:
TTC POLICY 13-7-0 EDUCATION ABROAD POLICY
Purpose: To inform college personnel of the guidelines for all TTC Education Abroad Programs. TTC Education Abroad refers to credit courses that include travel outside of the country as a component of the course.
- Travel Warnings. The U.S. Department of State issues Travel Warnings, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to certain countries. The College will not approve an Education Abroad program to a country in which a Department of State Travel Warning is in effect including general warnings and warnings related to specific groups or types of travelers. In the event of a Department of State Travel Alert, the College will determine appropriate action.
- Non-Discriminatory Travel. All TTC Education Abroad Programs will abide by the College's Non-Discrimination Policy and choose travel providers and countries with the safety of all TTC students in mind.
- Participants. Education Abroad participants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of travel and must be enrolled in the credit course. Exceptions to course enrollment may be made by the Vice President for Education.
- Faculty and Staff. Education Abroad Programs must have at least two (2) instructors, staff or chaperones on any trip. At least one (1) instructor, staff or chaperone must accompany participants going to and returning from Education Abroad destinations. Exceptions to this procedure must be approved by the TTC President or President's designee.
- Code of Conduct. Students participating in Education Abroad programs for academic credit are subject to the academic requirements, behavior regulations and disciplinary procedures as stated in the TTC Student Handbook and TTC Catalog, the same as for an on-campus program.
- Alcohol and Drugs.
Alcohol Guidelines: TTC will not tolerate alcohol misuse on Education Abroad Programs. Alcohol misuse is defined as any use that is harmful or potentially harmful to self or others. Alcohol misuse is, but is not limited to, a situation where:
- A student misses any scheduled event because of the effects of alcohol consumption;
- A student becomes ill due to the effects of alcohol consumption;
- A student engages in inappropriate behavior toward other individuals that is the result of alcohol consumption;
- A student becomes so intoxicated that he/she cannot walk unassisted;
- A student engages in destructive behavior toward property that is the result of alcohol consumption;
- A student does not abide by the laws of the country in which he or she is staying due to alcohol consumption;
- A student engages in behavior that causes embarrassment to the other members of the group, the faculty/staff member(s) or the in-country host(s) as a result of alcohol consumption;
- A student engages in behavior that causes his/her companions concern for the safety of the individual or the group;
- Students in a group encourage or ignore a fellow student who is misusing or abusing alcohol; or
- Students who transport quantities of alcohol to program sites with the intent of sharing the alcohol with members of the group.
Illegal Drugs:
TTC has a zero-tolerance policy regarding the possession, use, manufacture, production, sale, exchange or distribution of illegal drugs by students participating in Education Abroad programs. Legal consequences for possession and use of drugs vary in different countries. Once an individual leaves the U.S., the individual is not covered by U.S. laws and constitutional rights.
Violation of alcohol and drug policies will result in dismissal from the Education Abroad program and may result in TTC disciplinary actions, including return to the U.S. at the student's expense.
- General Pre-departure Orientation. Participants' safety and well-being are paramount to TTC. All participants are required to attend a general pre-departure orientation (including Health & Safety). This does not replace faculty program-specific orientations. TTC will ensure that all groups of TTC students traveling abroad are registered on the State Department website: www.travel.state.gov/step, which will be a benefit in the event of any man made or natural disaster, or the loss of a passport.
- Communication. In exercising the college's duty of care to students and faculty, sponsoring faculty/staff will keep TTC updated on the current physical location of participants during the education abroad program and exercise reasonable and prudent efforts to maintain communication with the home campus. Sponsoring faculty/staff shall notify the College's designee upon arrival and return from the travel destination and upon any change in the itinerary or any problem situation that may arise during the program period.
- Travel Insurance. Participants in TTC Education Abroad Programs are required to have emergency travel insurance coverage and personal medical/health insurance. TTC-sponsored programs include emergency travel insurance coverage in the program cost. The TTC insurer will issue ID cards with dates of coverage and important phone numbers. This coverage is primarily for emergency treatment, and those participants who will require ongoing treatment for a pre-existing condition while abroad should consult with their personal medical/health insurance provider. Individuals are responsible for providing evidence of their personal medical/health insurance prior to travel.
- Health Questionnaire. It is important to TTC that participants take all pre-departure safety and health precautions related to pre-existing conditions. To minimize health risk while abroad, participants will fill out the health questionnaire and will discuss any concerns with their sponsoring faculty.
- Emergency Response Team. The Director of International Education, in consultation with the Chief of Public Safety shall activate an emergency response team when education abroad programs are in operation to advise and respond should emergency situations arise during the program period.
Updated: 04-16-2018
Updated: 07-31-2020