Overview:
Unlike the common college situation in which students and faculty gather only at class and then disperse to their separate activities and residences, Sierra Institute groups necessarily travel, learn, recreate and reside together. For the most part, this cohesion and intimacy is one of the unique joys of our programs. It does, however, mean that the safety, functionality, and contentment of the group as a whole are very dependent on the behavior and attitude of each participant.
Intentions:
Safety: for the group to suffer no injuries and no temporarily lost or missing persons.
Functionality: for the group to cooperate as a unit, educationally and socially, each individual finding the balance between self-assertion and compromise so that he/she feels involved, supported and empowered.
Contentment: for each individual to feel they are content, within reason, with the day to day educational, recreational, and social processes of the group.
Code:
Behavior and attitude are inappropriate if they interfere with the safety, functionality, or contentment of the group.
Expectations:
All members of the group will maintain appropriate behavior and attitude, as defined above.
All members of the group will follow all Sierra Institute rules and procedures (as outlined by the instructor) concerning the safety of the individual, the group, and the land (for example, no rock climbing, required use of “hike log,” minimum impact camping, etc.).
During program time, all members of the group will abstain from controlled substances (illegal drugs), the consumption of alcohol, and public nudity.
Especially in the international programs, but applying also to the domestic ones, all members of the group will behave with sensitivity to the cultural and community norms of the people with whom they are interacting.
Disciplinary actions:
The Sierra Institute reserves the right to take disciplinary action against anyone who engages in inappropriate behavior or attitude. Depending on the severity of the offense, such action could range from warning to probation to immediate dismissal. The instructor must work with the Sierra Institute director and with HSU Distance & Extended Education staff to determine the proper course of disciplinary action. The student will have fair chance to present their point of view.
Agreement:
I agree to the above code, will follow the described expectations, and understand that I am subject to disciplinary action should I violate them.