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 B-level 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, Office of Judiciaries 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 no later than the program application deadline 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.

Students who have a judicial record and will be on probation for an A-level offense at any time during the program will not be allowed to participate on an Ohio University study abroad program.

Students who are on career probation for an A-level offense may petition to apply to study abroad if the offense took place at least one year prior to the time of application to the study abroad program AND there have been no further judicial violations.

Students who are placed on judicial probation or receive more severe sanctions after having been accepted in their study abroad program may no longer be allowed to study abroad. If the offense is a B-level, students may petition the review panel as indicated above. Students on probation or additionally sanctioned for A-level offenses will not be allowed to participate on the Ohio University study abroad program. They 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) must be in good standing with University Judiciaries and the HCOM Committee on Student Progress at both the time of application and participation in a study abroad program. HCOM Students under any type of sanction will not be allowed to study abroad.

 

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