Off Campus Activities and Field Trips

Criticism arises due to the interruption of student programs by off-campus activities, especially during the spring term. Staff members can lessen criticism by careful scheduling. Scheduling field trips on Saturday is recommended or, if a weekday is essential, varying the hours and the days. Such activities should not be scheduled during the final exam period or one week prior to final examinations.

Students will not be penalized for missing class in order to participate in University-sanctioned events. If class attendance  is a requirement, missing a class in order to participate in a University-sanctioned event will not be counted as an absence. Such absences do not relieve the students of any of their class responsibilities (e.g., homework, exams, lecture notes, etc.). Students are responsible for completing course requirements that are due on the dates of University-sanctioned events per prior agreement with the instructor.

A University-sanctioned event is defined to be any extracurricular event (e.g., educational field trips or conferences, theatrical performances, intercollegiate athletic contests, musical performance or tours, etc.) as approved by sponsoring Department and the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or designee.  Such activities should not be scheduled during the final exam period or one week prior to final examinations.  Prior written notice of the student's absence due to a University-sanctioned event will be provided to the instructor by the sponsoring department.

Departments sponsoring such events are responsible for obtaining the Provost and Vice Chancellor's approval prior to an event for it to be determined as sanctioned. Faculty should consult the Provost's website for details regarding the process required to obtain approval for a university sponsored off-campus activity or field trip. 

Source:  Faculty and Staff Handbook, Chapter Nine, Section 9.2.13