Student Agreement and Code of Conduct

All students who participate in a Northwestern Summer Study Abroad Program must agree to these terms:

Student Agreement for Northwestern Summer Study Abroad Programs

Study Abroad Program: _______________________

As a participant in the Northwestern University Study Abroad Program named above, I ______________________, hereby agree to the following statements:

  1. The Study Abroad Office has the authority to establish rules and guidelines necessary for the operation of its overseas programs. The rules of conduct for student participants are outlined in the attached Code of Conduct for Northwestern Summer Study Abroad Programs and explained during the pre-departure and on-site orientation programs. In addition, I understand that the host institution may have additional policies, rules, or guidelines to which I will be subject. I agree to abide by these rules.
  2. I, on behalf of myself and personal representatives, hereby release Northwestern University and any cooperating institution and their officers, employees, successors and agents from any and all claims and causes of action for inconvenience, damage to or loss of property, medical or hospital care, personal illness or injury or death arising out of my participation in the study abroad program named above and/or travel or activity conducted by or under the supervision or control of Northwestern University or any cooperating institution.
  3. I understand that the University has the right to withdraw me from the program at any time if, in the judgment of the Program Director or the Study Abroad Office, my conduct or academic standing warrants withdrawal (e.g., if I have violated the Code of Conduct, or if I have conducted myself in a way that has disrupted the program or brought the program into disrepute). I understand further that if I withdraw, depart, or am dismissed from the program prior to its formal completion, no refund of any kind will be made, I will be required to pay all costs incurred on my behalf, and I will be required to return home at my own expense. I understand that academic transcripts will not be released until such reimbursement is made. I also understand and agree that if I withdraw, depart, or am dismissed from the program prior to its formal completion, I will not be eligible for any academic credits I would have earned and will automatically be withdrawn from the program.
  4. I understand and acknowledge that there are inherent health and safety risks associated with living and studying abroad, and I agree I am personally responsible for obtaining all health information, medical procedures, immunizations, and medications appropriate to my study abroad program for my personal well-being.
  5. I acknowledge that I am responsible for complying with the University's study abroad program academic policies and procedures as outlined online. I further understand that I must enroll in and complete a minimum of two Northwestern courses while on the program.
  6. I understand and agree that I will turn in all materials, forms, and payments by the due dates, and attend the mandatory orientation session as specified in my Acceptance Letter. I acknowledge that my failure to do so may result in my being withdrawn from the program.
  7. I agree that I will abide by all policies and regulations established by the host institution at my program abroad and obey local laws and ordinances. I further understand that I remain enrolled as a student at Northwestern University, and I agree to abide by University policies for the duration of my participation in this program.

 

Code of Conduct for Northwestern Summer Study Abroad Programs

The Study Abroad Office holds students responsible for understanding and abiding by the policies set forth in this document, as well as the Summer Study Abroad Student Handbook. These policies are intended to facilitate the educational process and to promote a safe, fair, and successful experience for students.

I. The Code of Student Conduct
Students who participate in Northwestern University summer study abroad programs are representatives of Northwestern and their country for the duration of their time on the program. Students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately and respectfully, and will abide by the rules set forth by the Study Abroad Office, the Program Director, the on-site program staff, and their hotel or homestay hosts. Any student who engages in disrespectful, hostile, or violent behavior that threatens him/herself, another person, or the program will be subject to immediate disciplinary action and may be dismissed from the program, and sent home at his/her own expense, with no refund.

Students participating in a Northwestern University summer study abroad program are expected to take responsibility for their own actions and will be held accountable for such by the Northwestern University Study Abroad Office and the Program Director. Students are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct and the laws and customs that govern the host country where they are studying. Students are legally subject to the same laws and regulations that govern the host country's citizens and any other laws that are applicable to the student as a foreign citizen in the host country.

The following are prohibited:

  • Violence against others. This is defined as striking or doing any other physical harm to another.
  • Verbal abuse of faculty, staff or students.
  • Obstruction of Northwestern University or host university classes or obstruction of other Northwestern University or host university activities.
  • Theft of or vandalism to property.
  • Unauthorized entry to or use of Northwestern University or host university facilities or technology.
  • Disorderly, disruptive, threatening or intimidating conduct, gestures or actions.
  • Violations of residential guidelines and/or rules established by hosts, including, but not limited to, unauthorized overnight guests, excessive noise, rowdy conduct, and drunkenness.
  • Criminal behavior or violation of local laws.
  • Violation of any policies contained in this document and/or the Summer Study Abroad Student Handbook.
  • Failure to follow the Northwestern University Study Abroad guidelines, directives, timetables, and instructions of the Northwestern staff or faculty members.
  • Obtaining unauthorized access to, viewing of, copying or distributing confidential Northwestern University or host university academic, administrative, or personal records.
  • Falsification or alteration of academic or personal records, including, but not limited to, any unauthorized alteration of transcripts or grade reports, any verbal or written misrepresentation of student records, falsification or unauthorized alteration of any portion of the application for admission or financial aid or other official documents required for participation in a Northwestern University summer study abroad program.
  • Permanent or temporary diversion of academic materials needed by other students, including unauthorized removal of library materials, audio-visual materials or technological materials.
  • Self-endangerment, including involvement in activities or behavior that could result in personal harm, including, but not limited to, frequenting of dangerous places, association with criminals, repeated intoxication, etc.
  • Alcohol or drug policy violations. (See Section III below).

II. The Academic Honor Code
Registration at Northwestern requires adherence to the University's standards of academic integrity. Students are expected to approach their academic work with dedication and integrity, understanding that they are responsible for enhancing their own learning through personal effort. Students agree to be fully prepared for each class session and to complete at least two credits of academic work. Further, because Northwestern courses abroad are designed to integrate classroom work with the local sites, regular class and field trip attendance is mandatory. Students who fail to attend will be subject to immediate disciplinary action and may be dismissed from the program.

Students also agree not to violate Northwestern University's Academic Honor Code. The following behaviors are prohibited:

Plagiarism: Submitting material that in part or whole is not entirely one's own work without attributing those same portions to their correct source.

Cheating: Using unauthorized notes, study aids, or information on an examination; altering a graded work after it has been returned, then submitting the work for re-grading; allowing another person to do one's work and submitting that work under one's own name; submitting identical or similar papers for credit in more than one course without prior permission from the course instructors. Persons who assist cheating by sharing their work are also guilty of cheating.

Fabrication: Falsifying or inventing any information, data, or citation; presenting data that were not gathered in accordance with standard guidelines defining the appropriate methods for collecting or generating data, and failing to include an accurate account of the method by which the data were gathered or collected.

Obtaining an unfair advantage: (a) Stealing, reproducing, circulating, or otherwise gaining access to examination materials prior to the time authorized by the instructor; (b) stealing, destroying, defacing, or concealing library materials with the purpose of depriving others of their use; (c) unauthorized collaborating on an academic assignment; (d) retaining, possessing, using or circulating previously given examination materials, where those materials clearly indicate that they are to be returned to the instructor at the conclusion of the examination; (e) intentionally obstructing or interfering with another student's academic work; (f) otherwise undertaking activity with the purpose of creating or obtaining an unfair academic advantage over other students' academic work.

Falsification of record and official documents: Altering documents affecting academic records; forging signatures of authorization or falsifying information on an official academic document, grade, report, letter of permission, petition, drop/add form, ID card, or any other official University document.

Unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems: Viewing or altering computer records, modifying computer programs or systems, releasing or dispensing information gained via unauthorized access, or interfering with the use or availability of computer systems or information.

III. Alcohol and Drug Policies
Alcohol may be consumed, within reasonable limits, by students who are of legal age in the host country. Students who choose to consume alcohol do so with the knowledge that they remain responsible for their actions at all times and are expected to drink responsibly. It is prohibited to illegally distribute alcohol to students who are not of legal drinking age. Further, excessive and irresponsible drinking leading to intoxication and behavior that interferes with the program or the rights of others is subject to immediate disciplinary action, and may result in dismissal from the program. The Study Abroad Health Insurance does not cover any injuries that occur while under the influence of alcohol, intoxicants or any drug not prescribed by a physician.

Students are prohibited from selling, using, or possessing any drugs that are considered by host country law to be illicit or illegal. Any drug infraction will be considered a grave violation of policy and will result in immediate disciplinary action, including possible dismissal from the program. In addition, students are cautioned that the possession of drugs is often dealt with harshly by host country law enforcement.

IV. Independent Travel
Prior to embarking on any independent travel (e.g., on free weekends), a student must inform the on-site director or program administrator of the travel destination(s) and the dates of independent travel.

V. Student Signature
I have carefully each of the statements and conditions set forth above in the Student Agreement for Northwestern Summer Study Abroad Programs and in the Code of Conduct for Northwestern Summer Study Abroad Programs. My signature below confirms that I understand and agree to each of these statements and conditions.

Signature: _______________________________________________________ Date: ____/____/_____

Printed Name: __________________________________________________ Age: _______