Academic Field Trip Guidelines

Field Trips can increase the value of instructional and educational learning experiences. They can present risks to the student, faculty, and the University. The following Field Trip Guidelines have been developed to minimize risk without jeopardizing the learning experience.

• Field trip participants include enrolled students (undergraduate and graduate), employees, students, and identified university volunteers.
• Field trip participants’ and employees’ parents, partners, spouses, pets, siblings, or children who are not enrolled university students or university employees are not authorized to participate in university field trips.

Of critical importance is the recognition by the faculty or staff member leading the field trip that they are the point of contact between the University and the student in an environment significantly different from conditions in the on-campus classroom. The following guidelines have been developed and are intended to focus attention on managing common and uncommon risks related to field activities.

• Select the area where the class is to be held. The faculty or instructor should visit the general area prior to the field trip or otherwise have sufficient knowledge of the area.
• When selecting an area where the class is to be held, consider travel time and distance from campus. Schedule the field trip time to avoid interference with other regularly scheduled university courses 
• Consider an alternative activity or assignment that students can complete for the same credit if they cannot participate in the field trip.
  • Students' unwillingness to accept the risk of participation
• Determine if there are special needs of the participants and how those needs can be accommodated.
• Provide written information and training for materials, equipment, activities that participants will be using related to the field trip.
• Provide written information and training for reasonably foreseeable hazards involved with the activities related to the field trip, such as crime, strenuous physical activities, falling hazards, dangerous animals, poisonous plants, etc.
• Have a first aid kit with materials appropriate for the activity available during the field trip. Ensure that the first aid kit has been recently inspected and restocked as necessary.
• Consider maintaining American Red Cross or equivalent CPR and First Aid certification.
• Inform the participants, in writing, of the personal protective equipment and supplies that may be required or recommended to properly and safely participate in the field trip activities. This equipment may include hard hat, safety glasses, long sleeves, long pants, boots, sun block, sun glasses, hat, insect repellant, water, etc.
• Notify participants in writing of the codes of conduct addressing such issues as fraternizing, drugs, alcohol, etc. and advise participants of the consequences of non-compliance and take appropriate action when aware that participants are in violation of the codes of conduct.
• Provide, in writing, emergency response action plans and emergency contact name and phone numbers for each participant- Academic Field Trip Participants List
• Ensure that records from each trip are maintained for at least three(3) years by the department

All field trip participants, with the exception of employees in the course and scope of their employment, must sign a Release of Liability(Waiver).  Departments that sponsor activities that involve off-campus field trips are responsible for preparing a  CSU Liability Waiver, making certain that all participants sign and submit one before being allowed to participate in the activity. If an itinerary has been developed, it can be referenced and attached to the CSU Liability Waiver.