A field trip is an off-campus educational/instructional experience provided by Winthrop University faculty/staff to their students which normally involves travel for the group. A trip to an art museum for art students could be considered a Winthrop University field trip, but a social gathering or trip without educational purpose would not normally be considered a field trip.
There are a number of steps you may need to consider in planning your field trip:
Arrange for Motor Pool vehicles, rental vehicles, or charter bus transportation well in advance. Determine the route, stops, timetables, and assign drivers. You will need a system for communicating and performing student counts.
Communicate information to students in advance about schedules, departure locations, route, rest and meal stops, lodging, emergency procedures, protocol for problems, and rules of conduct.
Familiarize students with the site and their surroundings. Winthrop University faculty/staff have a duty to warn their students of any known hazards at the field trip site. University employees must exercise reasonable care to protect and supervise students while they are participating in a field trip conducted by the university.
Faculty, staff, and students must comply with university policies while on field trips just as they would on campus.
The instructional activities and setting during class time should conform with the university's policies including those concerning alcohol and drug use, vehicle use, student misconduct, smoking, principles of academic freedom, and policy on sexual harassment.
Faculty, staff, and students should reference these university polices in their Faculty, Staff, and Student Handbooks. Information on these policies may be addressed with your supervisor or department head.
