FLORIDA ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY
OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS
STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
CONTINGENCY PLAN LAYOUT1
Nîmes, FRANCE (SUMMER B 2008)
Dr. Brian McConnell, Program Leader & Professor of Record,
C. Reese, Professor of Record
[Home]
Introduction
While it is impossible to plan for all contingencies involving a Study Abroad Program (SAP), emergency procedures must be established and followed. These procedures allow us to react in a responsible and levelheaded way when emergencies do arise. We need to be able to provide, in a consistent and predictable way, for the safety of all participants. We also need to take reasonable and prudent measures to limit FAU's legal liabilities. All measures are taken to provide a safe environment for the students while they are in France; however, there may be instances when unforeseen emergency arises.
Code of Conduct
Students must obey the rules and regulations of the host country, host institution and respect the code of conduct as stipulated in the FAU Student Handbook, http://www.fau.edu/student/dean/ pdfs/studenthandbook.pdf. Mature behavior and respect of the host country is expected as it relates to the host countries social customs. Students should be aware that the laws regarding drugs, alcohol consumption, and sexual conduct are different in France than they are in the United States. It is the Program Leaders' policy to follow the laws as sanctioned by the US while abroad. When in doubt follow the laws, as you know them in the US. This is for your protection. The misuse of drugs and alcohol can result in dismissal from the SAP without refund. Student will be responsible for his or her return flight home, including any penalty costs due to date change.
For specific information regarding the laws as they relate to drug consumption: http://www.drugpolicy.org/global/drugpolicyby/.
Students participating in a SAP should expect to follow the rules and regulations as they are stipulated in the FAU Student Handbook while in France. They should familiarize themselves with the drug policy, misuse of alcohol and sexual harassment so as to avoid dismissal from program. Students who leave the SAP because of misconduct will not earn the university credits if travel is terminated early. It is the financial responsibility of the student to cover any costs incurred if travel must be altered or terminated early due to student misconduct.
6C5-7.007 Disruptive Conduct
Faculty, students, administrative staff, and employees who intentionally act to impair, interfere with, or obstruct the mission, purposes, order, academic atmosphere, operations, processes, and functions of Florida Atlantic University shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action by University authorities for disruptive conduct, as set forth in 6C5-7.006, 6C5-4.008, F. A. C. and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
6C5-5.012 Sexual Harassment
Sexual Harassment is a form of employee or student misconduct which undermines the integrity of the working or learning relationship. All members of the University community are entitled to study and work in an atmosphere free from any form of sexual harassment. Therefore, it is a violation of this rule for any employee or student to engage in conduct constituting sexual harassment. It is also a violation of this rule to retaliate against anyone who complains of sexual harassment or who participates in a proceeding related to a sexual harassment complaint.
Students should familiarize themselves with the definition of harassment as stated on
http://www.fau.edu/divdept/equalop/sex_har.htm.
Registering at US Embassy
The Program Leaders will register all participants in the SAP at the US Embassy in France
upon their arrival (http://www.embusa.es/indexbis.html). The Program Leaders encourage
family members to keep abreast of the political climate of France by reading updates available at:
The American Citizen Services (ACS) Unit is located at:
Address: 2, rue Saint-Florentin / 75001 Paris Cedex 08 / FRANCE
Telephone: 01 43 12 22 22
Fax: 01 42 61 61 40
For emergency assistance after hours, American citizens may call:
01 43 12 22 22 and ask to speak to the duty officer.
There is also a consular agency at 7, avenue Gustave V / 06000 Nice (01 43 12 22 22).
The American Citizen Services Unit handles a wide variety of services. The unit issues emergency passports, processes passport applications, provides notary services, voting information, and documents births and deaths of Americans in France. It also assists travelers in distress. For example, in acquiring funds from home, in arranging for medical care, or in assisting Americans who are arrested or incarcerated in France. (http://www.embusa.es/cons/services.html).
Passport copies
Students should make copies of his or her passport (photo page) to leave with: a) family member
in the US, b) the FAU Office of International Programs, c) the Program Leader and d) one for the student. It is recommended that students carry the copy of the passport 24/7.
Access to Program Leaders
The Program Leader will carry a cell phone to have access to students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week during the SAP. This cell phone number will be emailed to FAU officials, students and their guardians or spouses prior to their departure. Students must inform the Program Leader, his or her roommate and a buddy (who is not traveling with the student) when they take a trip that is not part of the SAP. Additionally, students and the Program Leader should establish a buddy system where one student knows another student's daily activities. This is a precautionary measure and in no way is to be construed as a violation of privacy.
In the event of an emergency, the chain of command while in France is as follows:
¥ Dr. McConnell (students will have 24/7 access via cell phone); mcconnel@fau.edu
¥ Home stay family (if any)
¥ Roommate (if any)
¥ A buddy, other than your roommate
¥ FAU Police (561-297-3500)
¥ Office of International Programs (tel. 561-297-2580, toll free: (800) 935-5734, fax. 561-297-2850)
What is an emergency?
An emergency is any circumstance that poses a genuine risk to, or that has already disturbed the safety and well-being of program participants. Emergencies will include, though not be confined to, the following types of events and incidents:
¥ Disappearance or kidnapping of a participant
¥ Criminal assaults against program participants
¥ Sexual assault or rape
¥ Serious illness, physical or emotional, injury or death
¥ Hospitalization for any reason
¥ Arrest, incarceration, or deportation
¥ Terrorist threat or attack
¥ Political crisis (local, national, international)
¥ Natural disasters such as earthquakes, fires, floods, hurricanes, etc.
Once the situation has been assessed and stabilized, the Program Leader (along with the host institution) will contact the student(s) involved and the FAU representative in the US, who in turn will notify the parents, guardians or responsible contact person for the participant(s) when this warranted. In the event that the Program Leader is incapacitated, the host institution will inform the FAU campus representative and accompanying family member. Each student should continue his or her daily routine. The host institution will replace the Program Leader until they are able to resume their responsibilities. In the event of death (of the Program Leader or one of his family members), the host institution (in consultation with FAU who will pay for substitute) will find a qualified (PhD) teacher to resume teaching and directorship responsibilities.
The SAP in France will only be cancelled if the country is under threat of war.
Insurance
While the SAP fee includes tourist health insurance and medical evacuation insurance covered by the ISIC card insurance, in the event of a major accident this coverage may not be sufficient. Students are encouraged to contact their home insurance office to see what coverage their policy offers them while they are abroad. Personal liability insurance is not provided. Participants should check to see if his or her homeowner's insurance covers him or her while overseas. Students who take laptops and expensive camera equipment abroad are advised to make sure that such equipment is covered under their homeowner's policy.
Emergency action while at the international program site
http://www.travelcuts.com/usa/html/idcards/isicinsurance.html
The Program Leader, or his representative(s), will need to do one or more of the following depending on the particular type of emergency:
¥ Ensure safety of participant(s).
¥ Contact U.S. Embassy for support.
¥ Contact FAU officials:
1. FAU Police (561-297-3500)
2. Dawn Harris Wooten, Coordinator, Office of International Programs
Phone: 561-297-1080 or -2580; Fax: 561-297-2850
Email: dwooten3@fau.edu
777 Glades Road, SU F106
Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991
3. Catherine S. Meschievitz, Director, Office of International Programs (OIP)
Phone: 561-297-1039 or -2580; Fax: 561-297-2850
Email: cmeschie@fau.edu
777 Glades Road, SU F106
Boca Raton, FL 33431-0991
4. Dean of Undergraduate Studies (561-297-0567)
5. University Provost (561-297-2011)
6. Contact host institution, in the event that the Program Leader is incapacitated.
Previous medical condition
Students should advise the Program Leader and an FAU representative of any medical condition that requires medication. This information will be kept confidential, but is essential for the Program Leader to make sound decisions on behalf of the participant(s). Any medications should be taken with the participant's carry-on luggage and should not be packed in his or her luggage.
1. This Contingency Plan Layout took elements from different sources. Among them: Tulane, UC-Davis, Emory, NAFSA, and Dickinson College.