Policy on Judicial Standing for Study Abroad Participants

Studying abroad presents significant opportunity for academic and personal growth. At the same time, it introduces new rules, expectations and obligations that may put additional stress on participants. Misbehavior, including violation of the Student Code of Conduct or host country laws, could result in serious and even life-threatening consequences abroad.

In order to promote a positive and safe learning environment for our students and programs abroad, judicial records for all applicants will be examined both at the time of application to and again before the beginning of a program. Students who have shown a history of poor decision-making based on their judicial records could be denied admittance to or removed from OHIO-sponsored study abroad programs. If removed from the program after acceptance, they will be responsible for nonrefundable and non-recoverable costs as outlined in the Conditions of Participation.

Specifically:

Students who have a judicial record but are not currently on disciplinary probation may apply to study abroad.

Students who have a judicial record and will be on probation for a judicial offense at any point during the program may petition to study abroad. A review panel made up of representatives from the study abroad program, the Office of Education Abroad, Community Standards & Student Responsibility, and the Dean of Students will consider petitions. A representative of Legal Affairs will serve on the panel in an advisory capacity. Petitions must be submitted to the Office of Education Abroad within three days of notification and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Students cleared to study abroad by the review panel must still meet all eligibility requirements for the program and be nominated to the program by the director.

The petition should address the following:

1. Reasons for wanting to go abroad
2. What you've learned since your incident
3. Your plan for being a responsible community member during the program

Petitions should be submitted per email to education.abroad@ohio.edu.

Students who are placed on judicial probation or receive further sanctions after having been accepted in their study abroad program may no longer be allowed to study abroad. Students will be allowed to petition as outlined above. If the petition is denied, students will additionally be held responsible for nonrefundable and non-recoverable costs as outlined in the Conditions of Participation.

Students matriculated in the Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine (HCOM) under any type of sanction with Community Standards and Student Responsibility or the HCOM Committee on Student Progress at the time of application or during the program travel dates will need to follow the petition process outlined above if they wish to be considered for participation. HCOM students who are placed on judicial probation or receive further sanctions after having been accepted in their study abroad program may no longer be allowed to study abroad.

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