I. GENERAL CONDUCT

The Institute for Tropical Marine Ecology, ITME, operates its field station at the Pringle Compound / Lease Enterprises Ltd. (Belfast), Begonia Drive, Belfast, Commonwealth of Dominica as a group living arrangement, and as such students and staff are in contact with one another almost around the clock on a daily basis. Therefore, we have found it helpful to adopt the following behavioral expectations for all members of the ITME team:

1) First and foremost, ITME is committed in its role as a teaching institution, to increasing student knowledge and awareness of marine resources and ecosystems. Students and staff alike are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner in regards to academic and social interactions. This includes observing quiet space in the classroom / library even when classes are not in session, attending lectures promptly and regularly, observing appropriate attire, completing any outside work on a timely basis, and respecting study hours.

2) Any form of personal or public harassment including, but not limited to: sex, race, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, religion, or physical or mental disabilities will not be tolerated and will result in an official warning/dismissal (see page 3).

3) Group living can be a challenging yet ultimately rewarding experience if all participants seek not only to conduct themselves in a respectful manner, but also to expect the same from fellow students. Privacy in such a situation is often of the utmost concern, yet can be difficult to attain. Personal space of both staff and students should be respected at all times. Staff housing remains off limits to students at all times. Faculty/staff should be contacted during academic hours at the teaching facilities.

4) Quiet hours will be strictly enforced from 8pm to 7am. This has been set aside for study, writing letters, reading, or quiet reflection. Walkman radios are allowed, but no public music or boom boxes will be allowed.

5) Smooth station operations are dependent on the full participation of all students in assigned duties relating to the academic program (e.g. gear maintenance) and the physical plant (e.g. gutter clean-up, locking of doors, turning off lights, disposing trash).

6) Food will be served cafeteria style, in sufficient quantity for the number of enrolled students, and certain items, although favorites among many students may be in short supply. It is therefore essential that all students respect the fact that those at the end of the line are also hungry and eagerly awaiting a chance to serve themselves. Seconds are fine, and encouraged, but not until all students and staff have had a chance to serve themselves. All participants will also be expected to fully participate in preparation and cleanup as needed. Set mealtimes are to be followed. Clean ups will not be delayed to accommodate late arrivals.

7) Students will be assigned kitchen duty to assist in the clean up after meals (Mo-Sa). Students not on kitchen duty are not to be in the kitchen. No food or kitchen items are to be removed from the kitchen other than for the purpose of preparing/serving meals for the group. All instructions regarding resource conservation (e.g. food, utilities, furniture, equipment) are to be followed carefully.

8) Safety is of the utmost concern to ITME and all attempts to ensure staff and student safety will be enforced. However, student cooperation in this matter is essential. We are all responsible for each other's safety, and many times our personal safety will rely on the safe practices of the other participants. It is absolutely essential that ANY unsafe practices be brought to the attention of an ITME staff member immediately. This includes, but is not limited to, unsafe diving (see dive policy), unauthorized off-site activities, excessive drinking, any drug use, reckless behavior of any kind, giving out information to strangers (e.g. times of presence, departure etc.), and leaving doors unlocked while sleeping or not in your room.

8) Curfews will be strictly enforced as follows: 10:00 PM (Sunday - Thursday) and 12:00 AM (Friday and Saturday). Curfews are enforced for your own protection and to ensure that a search can be launched promptly in the event that you are missing. Curfews also help ITME to maintain its respected position within the community, and ensure that all participants are well rested, and in optimal health, allowing them to fully participate in a complete range of activities. Failing to sign out/in is considered a violation and will lead to a warning/dismissal. Sitting in a visitor's car on or near the premises after curfew is considered a violation. On occasion, and in the company of ITME staff, curfew times may be changed to accommodate the students' participation in cultural, educational or social events. Such requests must be submitted to the director 48 hours in advance for consideration of approval. No sleepovers.

9) Students will make friends in the local community and this will broaden their international experience. However, non-family members will not be allowed on site to visit students.

10) Students will not be allowed to possess or consume alcohol on site. During ITME sanctioned occasions (e.g. formal dinners) students above the age of 18 will be allowed to consume alcohol, within reason. Under no circumstances are students allowed to consume alcohol on any day preceding SCUBA activities.

11) Open flames (e.g. candles, lighters, matches) are not permitted inside any room.

II. GROUNDS FOR WARNING AND DISMISSAL

In expecting full compliance with ITME's rules and regulations, and in recognition of the fact that students are adults and therefore responsible for their own behavior and the consequences of that behavior, we have enacted the following grounds for dismissal. With the exception of certain inexcusable behaviors, such as drug use, or physically threatening or causing harm to another participant (which will result in immediate expulsion), ITME operates a stringent policy of "three strikes and you're out."

1) A first warning by any staff member shall be considered strike one ("1st Warning"), and noted on your records. You will receive a written copy of the "1st Warning".

2) The second warning by any staff member shall be considered strike two, and lead to a 2nd Warning, copies of which will be sent to your parent or guardian.

3) The third violation of any rule (excluding those severe violations which lead to immediate expulsion) will be grounds for REMOVAL from the program within 24 hours. In the event of expulsion, no refund of tuition will be given and academic records will be withheld.

The following behaviors are grounds for a warning:

1) Any violation of the Rules of General Conduct, as stated above,
2) Repeated tardiness or absence from class or any other program-specific activity of duty,
3) Repeated disregard of any site-specific rules / instructions (e.g. signing out, returning books cleaning kitchen, staying out of "off-limits" areas such as faculty housing),
4) Any suspected use of illegal drugs,
5) Excessive alcohol use, including such obvious behaviors of intoxication as stumbling, slurring, or vomiting,
6) Sexual harassment in any form, of either sex, as deemed harassment by the offended, and
7) Any form of harassment with regards to race, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, religion, ethic values, physical or mental disabilities.

The following behaviors are grounds for immediate expulsion.

1) Possession of, or confirmed use of any illegal drug,
2) Possession of a firearm or firearms,
3) Any form of physical threat, actual or verbal, toward any ITME participant, staff member or Dominican citizen,
4) Any destruction of ITME property, whether intentional or as a result of reckless behavior, and any destruction of the personal property of another individual/organization, and
5) Theft of any property-individual or organizational. BE FURTHER AWARE THAT IF CAUGHT VIOLATING ANY DOMINICAN LAW, ITME CANNOT PROTECT YOU FROM THE LAWS OF DOMINICA. YOU WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO ITS LAWS AND REGULATIONS WITH NO EXEMPTION MADE FOR FOREIGN CITIZENSHIP.

III. SPECIFIC RULES FOR OFF-CAMPUS ACTIVITIES AND BEHAVIOR

1) Both the Rules of General Conduct and the Grounds for Dismissal apply off-site.

2) Employ the buddy system when off campus at any time (including sports activities such as jogging), and always let a third person (student or staff member) know approximately where you can be found. Remember to use the sign-out log whenever leaving the field station.

3) The following activities are strongly discouraged. Students engaging in any of these activities do so at their own risk.

a. Mountain climbing, hiking without guides, swimming at north and east coast shores.
b. Cliff diving of any kind. (The waters of Dominica, fresh and salt, are capricious and full of hazards for the unfamiliar visitor.)
c. Renting a car or motorcycle during the course of the semester, to include borrowing said vehicles of a local.
d. Riding in the back of a pickup truck or accepting rides with strangers. (Students are to accept rides only with established and licensed bus drivers. Many roads in Dominica are treacherous and steep, not all drivers/vehicles are insured, and it is not uncommon to see drivers under the influence of alcohol, or marijuana.)

By signing this form, each student/participant acknowledges the dangerous nature of the abovementioned activities, and accepts full responsibility for his/her actions:

4) Remember that you are a representative of ITME when off campus, and as such will be closely watched. Dominica is a conservative country, which expects a certain level of decorum in dress and conduct from its visitors.

5) All the laws of Dominica are to be strictly followed at all times.

IV. MID-SEMESTER BREAK (12-week semester programs only)

1) Mid-Semester Break begins at 8PM on the last day of classes of the first half of the semester and at 10PM the day before classes resume. In general, the mid-semester break is 4 days in duration.
2) Students leaving the island or spending the break at another location in Dominica, must provide their parents and the ITME staff with contact numbers and travel itineraries.
3) Students may stay/sleep on campus, but must provide for their meals (kitchen /services will be closed), and transportation.
4) No visitors are allowed during the break. Curfews do not apply.
5) All other rules and regulations stated in I-III are to be followed. Ignoring said rules may lead to warnings and/or dismissal from the program.

By my signature, I ……………………………….., hereby understand and agree to abide by
(print name)
the rules and regulations as set forth above:

___________________________________________________________.
Signature

9/04