Part 4: Student Expectations (Semester)

Part 4: Student Expectations

Part 4: Expectations and Academics While Abroad

In this lesson, you will learn about:

• Expectations for student conduct while

abroad

• University alcohol policy

• University drug policy

• Examples of misconduct

• Academic expectations

This section is all about expectations: what’s expected of you as a representative of

St. John’s University (the “University”) and the United States, and what you should

expect as you look ahead to the academic side of your program.

Expectations: Student Conduct

Expectations for Student Behavior

• All Global Studies students are bound by the expectations of the St. John’s

University Student Code of Conduct even when they are attending classes

outside of the United States.

• Study abroad students are held to an even higher standard when representing

St. John’s University in another country. As such, you won’t be given as many

“chances” before major sanctions – including dismissal from your Global Studies

program - are imposed. A violation that may have been handled much less

conservatively in New York, can actually result in program dismissal when you

are in a Global Studies program.

• The student conduct process will also be different from your home campus.

This will be most evident in the appeal process, which has a much shorter

window than for violations that take place in New York.

Expectations: Student Conduct

Expectations for Student Behavior

• Students with a previous conduct history in New York have even fewer

“chances” and may find themselves dismissed from their Global Studies

program as the result of even one violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

• Sanctions are determined collaboratively between the local student conduct

administrator, the Office of Global Studies and the Director of Student

Conduct.

• One sanction unique to a Global Studies program is a travel restriction,

which will limit a student’s opportunities to travel and fully experience the city

where he or she is studying. Travel restrictions are often the last step before

program dismissal.

Expectations: Student Conduct

Alcohol Violations (as defined by Student Code of Conduct)

The sale, use, distribution, consumption or procurement of alcoholic beverages on

University premises is prohibited. The sale, use, distribution, consumption or

procurement of alcoholic beverages for anyone who is under the age of twenty-one

(21); being in the presence of alcohol on University premises; suspicion of alcohol

intoxication; the use of false identification to procure alcohol. Students are expected

to abide by all federal and state laws regarding alcohol.

Expectations: Student Conduct

Alcohol Violations Abroad

• Although you are very likely studying in a country that either has no established

drinking age or has no law that prohibits people under 21 from engaging in

alcohol use, you remain bound to the expectations of the Student Code of

Conduct.

• Do not purchase bottles of wine or other alcohol-related “souvenirs” for friends

or family members back home. If you keep the alcohol in your room, you are

subject to an alcohol violation.

• If you are even in the presence of alcohol or empty alcohol bottles while on your

campus abroad, you are still considered in violation of the alcohol policy. It is

not sufficient to claim that you were not drinking and it is not sufficient to claim

that you did not “see” the empty bottles.

Expectations: Student Conduct

Alcohol and Cultural Context

• Binge drinking is an unfortunate part of American culture. Because young adults in

other countries grow up with different attitudes regarding alcohol, drinking in

moderation is considered a standard expectation. In some places, the cultural

stereotype of the “ugly American” who drinks too much and loses control is

prevalent. Drunken behavior is looked down upon in many parts of the world.

• Because binge drinking is an ongoing problem among the college student

population in the United States, American hospitals routinely deal with patients

suffering from severe or acute alcohol intoxication. While the same assistance can

and will be provided abroad if needed, treatment for alcohol poisoning is considered

a waste of resources and medical staff time that could be spent on other

(unavoidable) incidents. If our staff determine you are intoxicated enough to go to

the emergency room it’s likely you will be dismissed from the program.

• Be smart, stay safe, drink in moderation (if you’re over 21).

• Remember, if the onsite staff, faculty or program leader suspect that you are

intoxicated, you will be charged with a violation of the alcohol provision of the

Student Code of Conduct (even if you’re over 21).

Expectations: Student Conduct

Drugs Violations (as defined by Student Code of Conduct)

The use (or being in the presence of the use), possession, distribution or

manufacturing of narcotic or dangerous drugs or any illegal or controlled substances,

except as expressly permitted by law or those prescribed by a physician and kept in

their labeled containers. Being in the presence of narcotic or dangerous drugs and/or

illegal or controlled substances on University premises or off-campus is prohibited.

Use, possession, distribution or the manufacturing of plants or chemicals to induce

an altered state of consciousness is prohibited. Students are expected to abide by all

federal and state laws regarding illegal or controlled substances.

Expectations: Student Conduct

Drugs Violations

• If a substance is illegal in the United States, then it is considered illegal for use,

possession or distribution by a student in a Global Studies program.

• A student found in violation of the Drugs policy will be dismissed from their

Global Studies program immediately. This includes the loss of all tuition and

fees associated with the program – not to mention the loss of opportunity to

enjoy the full experience of studying abroad.

• In addition, some prescription drugs that are legal for use in the U.S. may be

illegal for use in the country where you are studying or traveling while abroad.

Be sure to research this carefully prior to departure!

• Just say no.

Expectations: Academics

Academic Excellence – the standard, not exception!

• Treat your course like any other; it will show up on

your transcript like any other!

• Participation in activities and assignments should be

taken very seriously

Attendance:

• Attendance is mandatory - you must attend EVERY

class

• Excused absences must be accompanied by a

doctor’s note or other verification of illness by on-

site staff or program leaders. If you are too sick to go

to a doctor, please notify the on-site staff or program

leader so that they can get you the care you need

and you are not penalized academically.

• Academic penalties for missing classes and activities

can be severe

Remember, this is study abroad, emphasis on “study.” Academics always come first,

and you’re expected to devote the same care and dedication to these classes as you

would any other.

Expectations: Academics (Courses Abroad)

• You must complete a minimum of 12 credits during your semester abroad

• You must take at least one in-person class in each country for DTW or three in-person classes

for other single country semester programs.

• Your dean and/or the Office of Global Studies must authorize any add/drop request

• Pass/Fail options are at the discretion of your dean and must be pre-approved by him/her

Expectations: Academics (Registration)

• Semester students are responsible for registration of approved courses.

• You will receive a course registration “cheat sheet” shortly before course

registration begins.

• Registration should take place within a week of your scheduled registration time

so we can determine which courses can run and if any need to be cancelled. We

will notify you immediately if we have to cancel a course that you were enrolled in

and work with you to determine an appropriate course alternative.

• Students taking modular courses (5 weeks in duration) cannot add/drop courses

after the 1st week of courses. For the most part, courses are Monday – Thursday

so the add/drop request must come by the end of the first academic week of each

modular course. To request and add/drop for modular courses you should

complete the Registration Change form and email it to your dean and the Office of

Global Studies ([email protected]).

• Students taking semester-long courses can add/drop courses through

UIS prior to the University add/drop deadline.

Expectations: Course Textbooks

• Booklists will be available online for

all programs approximately two

months prior to your departure.

• Check your program’s Accepted

Students Page for all of your book

requirements

• E-books maybe an option

• If a book is not listed for your class,

your professor may charge for

handouts or field trips as an

alternative

Just like in New York, your classes may have required textbooks. But don’t worry, your

professors won’t leave you out to dry - they’ll provide us with booklists for each course,

which we’ll post on our website.

Expectations: Online Courses

• Take note of the time difference – this means your deadlines will be different than

those listed on the syllabus.

• Notify the professor beforehand that you’ll be studying abroad.

• Make sure you know which book/course materials to purchase well before your

program departs. It’s very possible these materials will not be available abroad.

If you are taking an online course along with your abroad courses, please note a few

considerations you should take prior to your departure.

Expectations: What would you do?

Your roommate has decided to invite some friends over to have a few drinks. He

or she asks you if you’re ok with this and invites you to join in the festivities.

• What would you do? (Our recommendations are on the next slide)

Expectations: What would you do?

Remember that even being in the presence of alcohol is considered a violation

of the St. John’s University Student Code of Conduct – regardless if you were

drinking or not. If a situation like this occurs we recommend:

1. Reminding your roommate that everyone could get in trouble and advising

him or her against such activities.

2. Chances are your roommate already knows this (everyone has to complete

this Blackboard course before departure) and may brush off your advice. In

this case, feel free to notify an RA or on-site staff member if you know

something like this is occurring without your consent. In Seville, notify the

security guard after normal business hours.

3. If you feel uncomfortable notifying an RA or on-site staff member, we

recommend leaving the room and removing yourself from the situation as

soon as possible. Our campuses abroad are pretty intimate and any more

than 3 people in a room will quickly start to sound like a party – which will

immediately be checked up on by an RA.