Student Rights

The University of Memphis programs are designed to provide students with the opportunity to combine a rigorous academic program with a cross-cultural learning experience that is not available in the United States.

In accordance with university policy, the Center for International Programs and Services wishes to reaffirm student rights and responsibilities in relationship to studying abroad. The following statement is issued in accordance with University policy and after consultation with appropriate University officers. As with all academic programs, the student is responsible for learning the content of a course of study according to all standards of performance established by the faculty. In turn, the student has the right to a course grade that represents the instructor's good faith judgment of the student's performance in the course.

The University of Memphis reserves the right to require the withdrawal of a student from a program if the student's conduct violates the laws of the host country or city or otherwise does damage to the program or to The University of Memphis.

Students are expected to:

• Be responsible for all information contained in the Center for International Programs and Services and The University of Memphis materials concerning fees and program details;
• Attend all orientation meetings;
• Pay all fees and all personal expenses incurred while studying abroad;
• Arrange for and complete all academic work within the allotted time period;
• Participate in travel, sightseeing, and individual contact with citizens of the host country without allowing these activities to interfere with the successful completion of the academic program;
• Respect the reasonable wishes of their hosts when living in a private home;
• Obey all laws, police regulations and practices of the host country. American laws and diplomatic representatives will be able to offer little or no help to a student arrested and/or convicted of drug- related or other crimes.
• Participants must arrive and depart for pre-arranged programs and accommodations per specified dates and times.

It is hoped that this information will help clarify your expectations for a meaningful international experience

Safety Guidelines

Medical Emergencies

Before departure you should learn about the general attitudes toward health care in the culture, e.g. do doctors hesitate to use potent drugs and take a wait-and-see approach or do they aggressively treat problems? This information will be invaluable in dealing with medical emergencies.

In the case of serious medical situations, take the following steps:

• Take the person to a hospital/clinic, verify the nature of the emergency with a doctor, inform health care personnel about chronic medical conditions, and assist with the medical insurance paperwork;
• Obtain the medical help indicated;
• Contact CIPS with the nature of the medical emergency, and keep in regular contact with CIPS until the emergency has passed. Advise CIPS if the student does NOT want the emergency contact notified;
• Have the student call emergency contact. If the student is not able to communicate, CIPS will call the contact;
• If the student is unable to make advance payments for treatment, contact CIPS with details. Note: this is why students should carry the International Student Identification Card and why it is recommended that they carry a credit card;
• If the student has not signed authorization for you to obtain medical treatment, seek authorization from the student's contact person;
• The following is a list of information you should obtain to assess the situation:
  • student's name,
  • date of accident or commencement of illness,
  • details of injuries, symptoms, present condition, including temperature,
  • name and telephone number of attending physician,
  • name, address, and number of hospital or clinic, if applicable, vi. drugs administered,
  • x-rays taken and results, and
  • surgery proposed and type of anesthesia; wait for authorization if necessary and possible (work with doctor).

Natural Disaster and Group Accidents

In the case of earthquake, flood, avalanche, epidemic, bus crash, etc., take the following steps:

• See to the safety of all group members;
• Communicate immediately with CIPS as to the safety and state of health of all group members, the group's location, plans and when you will contact CIPS again;
• Communicate the same information to the nearest American Embassy or Consulate. Diplomatic channels are an alternative way to get information to CIPS if public communication systems fail;
• Consult with American Embassy/Consulate, local police, local sponsors, etc., for advice on how to respond to the situation;
• Discuss plans with group members. This may include change of location, change in program schedule, cancellation of the program, or a shift in emphasis in the program;
• Some students may decide to return home immediately. Of course, this is their prerogative and you should assist in making arrangements;
• Keep in touch with CIPS.

Civil Disturbance

• Be aware of situations and locations which can be potentially dangerous. Warn students and advise them to avoid such areas whenever possible. Discourage or forbid, if necessary, attendance at particularly sensitive political meetings, rallies, or other sizable gatherings;
• Keep the American Embassy notified of your location at all times if you suspect problems are likely to erupt. Make sure you fully understand evacuation procedures to be followed in case it becomes necessary;
• Keep CIPS informed of developments and follow instructions issued by the American Embassy;
• Contact CIPS as soon as possible in the event of a coup, assassination, riot, revolution, etc., so parents who call may be fully informed.

Missing Program Participant (more than 24 hours)

• Inquire with friends and associates of the missing participant about her or his whereabouts;
• Notify the American Embassy, local police, and local sponsor or sponsors and give them your telephone number;
• Notify CIPS at once. CIPS will notify the student's emergency contact. Be sure to provide CIPS with as many details as possible regarding what happened and what is being done;
• Check with authorities daily, and inform CIPS of any new developments.

Student Arrest

• Visit the student in jail and determine what happened;
• Have the student call emergency contact person. If the student is unable to make a call, CIPS will call contact;
• Report situation to American Embassy or Consulate; Assist the student in obtaining funds for bail if possible;
• Notify CIPS about incident.

Robbery

• Call local law enforcement agency;
• Assist the student in obtaining funds to replace stolen money;
• Have the student call emergency contact;
• Notify CIPS.

Assault

• Go through medical emergencies protocol in section 1;
• Call local law enforcement agency to report incident;
• Notify CIPS about the incident.

Rape

• Go through assault protocol in section 7;
• Notify CIPS about the incident;
• Help student find counseling. Keep in mind that in many cultures medical doctors are often the first point of contact for people struggling with emotional or psychological issues;
• Help student (if requested or required) to return home.

Death of Student or Faculty Member

If a student or faculty member dies while participating in the program, record all available facts accurately. The atmosphere surrounding the program will be emotionally charged, and it will be difficult to manage the program while handling all of the details listed below. Even so, it is very important that the tasks below are handled promptly and effectively.

Take the following steps if a student or faculty member dies:

• If word comes by phone, obtain the identity of the person giving the information;
• Determine the cause of death - if an illness, what illness; if an accident, what kind, where it happened, others involved, etc.;
• Find out time and place of death; Get name and address of undertaker, if available;
• Determine participant's religion. If Catholic, check if last rites have been administered. If Jewish, contact a local rabbi immediately. For those of other religions, wait until you have heard from the family as to their wishes;
• If the participant dies in an accident, inquire about the local laws regarding autopsy;
• Find out if anyone has contacted the participant's family;
• Contact ISIC card services number and, if applicable, the participant's insurance company for coverage of repatriation of remains.

Reporting the information:

• Inform CIPS immediately. CIPS will then inform the participant's family personally;
• Notify the US Embassy or Consulate.

Follow-up:

• Continue to keep a chronological record of events and actions as they occur;
• Talk to other student participants and keep them informed and counseled;
• CIPS will give the participant's family as much support as possible;
• CIPS will send a letter of sympathy to the participant's immediate family;
• CIPS will assist the program director in making arrangements for the repatriation of the body or remains;
• Gather the participant's belongings and make an inventory;
• Ship the belongings and inventory to CIPS, which will then forward everything to the participant's family.

Checklist

• Roundtrip airline ticket reserved and purchased
• Current passport (with a copy of all pages kept separately)
• International Student Identity Card (ISID) application completed
• International health insurance coverage purchased
• Long distance telephone calling card obtained with international rates.
• Confirmation that you can use your ATM card in the UK
• Visit the British Tourist Authority web site
• Purchase Britrail, and other travel tickets in the U.S. prior to departure
• Prepare a customized medical kit (including prescription medications in labeled bottles, generic prescriptions for refills, and an extra pair of eyeglasses/contact lenses if worn)
• Complete the Statement of Understanding Form
• Complete the Health Information Form
• Complete the Permission for Emergency Treatment Form
• Complete the Illegal Drug Use Policy Form
• OTHER: ____________________

Travel Hints

• Beware of jet lag, culture shock, homesickness, loneliness, changes in diet, lack of exercise etc.
• Dial 999 in an emergency (police, fire or ambulance) while in the UK
• Be flexible -- while languages are similar and many of America's cultural roots are grounded in Britain -- there remain many significant differences that will affect different people in different ways
• 1 (one pound) = approximately US $1.80 currently.
• You will walk a lot. Bring comfortable footwear
• Use public transportation. It is generally safe, inexpensive and reliable. Please note that public transportation usually stops by 11PM or midnight at weekends
• Use common sense. Remember, you are subject to local and not U.S. laws
• Look to the RIGHT when stepping off the pavement (sidewalk)
• Do not carry, buy, sell or use illegal drugs
• It will be cool and it will rain! Come prepared (include an umbrella and Ziplocs/trash bags)
• Pubs are a center of most communities. The minimum drinking age (for alcohol consumption) is eighteen. You are not obliged to consume only alcoholic drinks in pubs
• Drink lots of water
• Always ask for student discounts and use your International Student Identity Card (ISIC) whenever possible
• Eat as the British do (or expect to pay for it!). Diets tend to be cosmopolitan ranging from English pub fare, to Greek kebabs, Chinese and Italian dishes
• Take a camera and lots of film
• Travel in pairs or with a group
• Avoid being a conspicuous tourist
• Set-up email accounts before departure
• You will be able to purchase just about anything you can buy at home (if in doubt, try Tesco, Asda or Sainsburys)
• Keep a diary. You will appreciate it later