Academic Field Trips

Each student participant should complete this Academic Field Trip Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless Agreement for each University sponsored field trip or activity.

If a student participates in multiple field trip activities in a given semester, list the multiple activities, including dates of each, on the waiver of liability form.

A hold harmless clause on a liability waiver form may have legal standing in any court of law. The participant's signature on the waiver form means that the participant will not sue the University if the participant suffers any damage or loss as a result of participating in the activity. The purpose of the hold harmless clause is to discourage claims against the University.

The completed and signed Field Trip forms are to be kept for a minimum of three (3) years in the field trip sponsor's academic department. For minors, the form should be kept a minimum of three years, or until the minor turns 20. If a claim is filed during this period, the department will be requested to provide a copy of the participant's signed waiver of liability form.

Field trips begin and end at site/location.  On occasion, students may need to drive for university business.  Student drivers who volunteer to drive other students in their private vehicles on a field trip must meet all the CSU requirements. These requirements include a current valid California Drivers license, and proof of private vehicle insurance coverage. Student volunteer drivers must be official university volunteers for any University-affiliated Program.

No, such releases are not required. The University does not provide liability coverage for students completing class assignments outside the classroom. Faculty is encouraged to thoroughly scrutinize student assignment sites for potential risks and to recommend adequate personal safety practices.

Such activities are considered field trips so each participating student should sign the standard informed consent form.

There is no University restriction or limitation for students who attend professional conferences and workshops for course credit. If students attend conferences or workshops, students must be given notice that they attend and/or participate at their own risk. if students are compensated for their participation, the activity is considered university business and all documentation must be completed.

Recognizing that field trips involving students are often an essential part of academic course work, there are a number of risks associated with field trips that must be addressed. This is especially important when the trip involves hazardous activities/materials or dangerous sites. Activities should not be held (risk avoidance) in which there is a clear and present danger to the health and safety to students. Inadequate procedures to control the risks associated with off-campus field trips and special events unnecessarily expose participating students to undue risk and increase the potential for loss to the campus community and the CSU.

• Ensuring that the trip is a mandatory course requirement so there is no question of coverage on student travel accident insurance policies;
• Requiring that the field trip be limited to certain authorized participants who sign appropriate liability release agreements;
• Ensuring that trip leaders understand what to do if something goes wrong;
• Arranging vehicle transportation by individuals who have valid driver's licenses and are authorized to use their vehicles only if properly insured; and
• Stipulating the types of safety precautions and instructions delivered to participants.

The "Informed Consent" form is essentially the same as the "Academic Field Trip Waiver of Liability and Hold Harmless" form but is often modified to address the specific hazards and potential injuries associated with a particular activity. The "Informed Consent" form, also often called just a "Release", should be used for activities for all volunteers. Informed consent means that the person who signs the form accepts, understands and assumes the risks inherent with the activity and agrees not to sue the University.

No. The requirements for a student in the class taking a field trip, who will be using a personal vehicle to go to the field trip site, are:

Must possess a valid California Driver's License

Must be covered by State law required minimum liability insurance

In addition, the student, as well as all students on the field trip, must sign the "Academic Field Trip Informed Consent Form."

The requirements are spelled out in Executive Order 1041 that details the necessary authorization and the appropriate carrier insurance and waivers that need to be signed by the student. In particular, the student must be advised of the dangers of flying (especially foreign airlines) and sign the "Student Air Travel Informed Consent Statement" which is kept in the sponsoring department.

Since students are prohibited from driving State vehicles (University rented vehicles are considered State vehicles), students must not drive University rented vehicles. If it becomes necessary for a student to operate a State vehicle, the student must be "officially" appointed as a "Volunteer" through CSUSB's HR Department and meet all the CSU requirements for a volunteer and State vehicle driver.

This CSU purchased insurance policy is an automatic blanket travel and accident policy that covers enrolled students at the academic field trip site, and for travel to and from the site, up to a maximum of $25,000 for specified medical expenses. See the Student Travel Accident Program webpage in the Risk Management website.