Student Field Trip and Off Campus Event Policy

Policy Number: 4.50
Effective Date: February 27, 2023
Revision History: May 26, 2016
Policy Contact: Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs/Provost

I. Purpose and Policy Statement

Participation in field trips/off campus events provides students the opportunity to engage in meaningful learning outside the classroom, and as such, these trips are a valuable part of the college experience. Such outings permit students to integrate theoretical aspects of learning with practical applications and observations in environments other than the classroom. These experiences thus afford students an alternative means of applying knowledge.

II. Scope

All GGC staff, faculty and students should be familiar with this policy. 

III. Compliance

1. Certain guidelines need to be followed to ensure that students gain the most from participation in field trips.
   1. Attendance on field trips/off campus events is optional, and students will not be penalized if they do not attend.
   2. Alternate assignments may be given in lieu of a student’s participation in field trips/off campus events where said participation would have derived extra credit or other course points.
   3. Students who choose to go on field trips must contact the professors of the other classes which will be affected by their participation on the field trip prior to going on the field trip. However, participation on field trips does not exempt students from completing the work which is assigned in the classes that will be missed, nor does it provide a reason for students to miss tests, exams, or other graded work which is performed in the classes that will be missed.
   4. Students who are absent because of participation in college-approved activities (such as field trips and extracurricular events) will be permitted to make up the work missed during their college-approved absences, provided that the student discussed with and obtained approval from the instructor to make up the work missed prior to the student’s going on the field trip.
   5. The field trip originator will ensure that the students who attend field trips complete the appropriate waivers and forms.
   6. The faculty member/field trip originator should deliver copies of the waiver forms to the Dean’s/Director’s office for appropriate filing prior to or within five business days after returning from the field trip or off campus event/project.