SUBJECT: UNIVERSITY POLICY FOR STUDY ABROAD

APPLICABILITY: TOTAL UNIVERSITY

POLICY. The University of North Texas will endeavor to provide out-of-country study opportunities for students in their academic degree programs through a variety of mechanisms. The university Study Abroad Center shall have primary responsibility for coordinating out-of-country study programs and serve as the central clearinghouse for information concerning these programs. Faculty, staff and students who participate in out-of-country study programs are responsible for complying with and are subject to all applicable laws and university policies.

I. RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Study Abroad Center. The university Study Abroad Center (SAC) is responsible for coordinating all out-of-country study programs, developing general guidelines for these programs and monitoring compliance with applicable federal and state laws, rules adopted by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and university policies. The SAC shall consult with the appropriate university officials in establishing academic and other requirements for participation in out-of-country study programs.

B. Faculty. University of North Texas study abroad activities are the joint responsibility of the academic units (departments and colleges) that sponsor or approve academic credit for them and the SAC. All study abroad programs offered by the university must be coordinated through the SAC. Faculty members should follow all guidelines established by the SAC when participating in out-of-country study programs. All university policies related to the conduct of official university activities apply to study abroad programs in the same manner as if the course or activity was conducted on campus, including provisions of the university Faculty Handbook, the Student Code of Conduct, and all other personnel and student policies.

C. Students. Students participating in non-university programs must register with the Study Abroad Center in advance of departure. The unique costs of study abroad programs (e.g. transportation, housing, administrative costs, etc.) are the responsibility of participating students. All students participating in study abroad programs through, or affiliated with, the University of North Texas must have international health and accident insurance that includes medical evacuation and repatriation benefits. All university policies related to the conduct of official university activities apply to study abroad programs in the same manner as if the course or activity was conducted on campus, including the Student Code of Conduct. Violations of the Student Code of Conduct will be referred to the Center for Student Rights and Responsibilities for appropriate university action.

Each student participant is responsible for ensuring academic credit earned for an out-of-country program applies to his or her degree program. Students participating in an international student exchange program are subject to residency requirements of the university, college, and degree program in which they are registered. Exchange credit generally does not count as resident credit. Students are responsible for determining these matters before departure.

II. DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION

The SAC will make every effort to incorporate universal design concepts in the development of study abroad programs.

Students with disabilities are responsible for registering with the Office of Disability Accommodations and complying with university policies in advance of departure to a foreign country. Reasonable accommodations will be provided in accordance with federal and state law and university policy.

III. HEALTH AND SAFETY

A. Safety and Security. The safety and security of university students and faculty participating in programs outside the United States is a primary consideration in the planning and conduct of study abroad programs. While the SAC is responsible for collecting general information on safety and security issues related to locations, travel and logistics of study abroad programs, participants are equally responsible for taking appropriate safety and security measures. These measures include, but are not limited to, personally researching the international threat level and safety and security concerns in the host country; attending all study abroad orientation sessions; and taking appropriate personal safety precautions en route to and upon arrival in the host country.

B. Travel and Laws. The university student travel policy applies to all travel en route to and while in the host country. All participants in the study abroad program are responsible for following the student travel policy as well as all traffic safety and other laws of the host country. Faculty, staff and students are personally responsible for sanctions imposed by the host country for violations of its laws and all legal costs incurred as a result of the violation(s).

C. International Health and Accident Insurance. All participants in a University of North Texas study abroad program must have approved international health and accident insurance that includes coverage for emergency evacuation and repatriation of remains.