3.18.01

Part 1. Purpose 

This procedure establishes logistical standards for curricular, course-related field trips to support College Policy 3.18. 

Part 2. Requirements for Conducting a Curricular Field Trip 

The course instructor must make sure to meet the following requirements when planning and conducting a curricular field trip:

• Trips must be approved by the beginning of the relevant semester or at least six (6) weeks in advance, whichever is longer, by the appropriate dean.
• Faculty must state in the syllabus that the class may have required field trips.
• Prior to participation, students must complete the student field trip waiver of liability release and indemnification form if applicable. The determining factor is level of risk, not distance from campus.
  • The form is generally not required when the activity/field trip occurs in a nearby public area and presents no greater risk than ordinary campus activities. 
  • The decision regarding whether a form is required will ultimately be decided by the supervising Dean in consultation with the public safety administrator.
  • Forms will be maintained by the Dean supervising the faculty leading the field trip. 
• Field trips are subject to the availability of funds.
• To accommodate the needs of students with disabilities documented with the Accessibility Resource Center, faculty must work with the Accessibility Resource Center when requested by the student. Students must initiate the request for accommodations at least one (1) week prior to the field trip.
• Travel arrangements to the field trip location must follow these criteria:
  • If planning to use rental vehicles, faculty must coordinate with the Public Safety Department at least four (4)  weeks in advance to arrange for appropriate transportation and completion of any necessary student waivers. Anyone driving a rental vehicle for a field trip is required to complete a driver’s license check.
  • Students who choose to drive to the field trip on their own may do so. 

For co-curricular field trips, review the current Student Life Guide for further details.

Subpart A. Faculty Are Prohibited from Transporting Students to Field Trip Location Via Personal Vehicles

Faculty may not transport students to or from a field trip location using personal vehicles. 

If a faculty member needs transportation for students for a field trip, the faculty member must work with the Campus Safety Administrator in the Public Safety Department to identify and coordinate appropriate transportation for the students. 

Part 3. Responsibilities

Subpart A. Faculty

The faculty member conducting the field trip is responsible for: 

• ensuring relevant forms are completed by students (or guardian), 
• ensuring that no student participates in the field trip without having first submitted a signed form, and
• providing a roster of which students are attending the field trip and completed forms to their supervising dean.

Subpart B. Academic Dean 

The academic dean who supervises the faculty member conducting the field trip is responsible for maintaining records of completed forms for at least one (1) year.

Subpart C. Student 

The student is responsible for completing and submitting the student field trip waiver of liability release and indemnification form within the required timeframe.

Owner(s) Title: Vice President of Academic Affairs

Date of Adoption: 10/14/2026

Date of Implementation (if different from adoption date): N/A

Date Last Reviewed: N/A

History and Subject of Revisions: 10/14/2026 (Adopted)

Regulatory Authority (e.g. Minnesota State policy, federal or state law):  N/A