Consent and Release Form
The following agreement is designed to protect all participants in Suffolk University's (SU) study abroad program, known as the Summer Law Program in Galway, Ireland including students, faculty members, SU, and the agencies and individuals cooperating with the University. You, as the student, must sign this form to indicate agreement with provisions and permission to participate. Please pay particular attention to the withdrawal policy.
Name of Program: Summer Law Program in Galway, Ireland.
General Release:
I understand that participation in the Summer Law Program in Galway is entirely voluntary and that any program travel involves some element of risk including travel to, from, and within Ireland.
I agree that, in partial consideration of SU sponsoring the Summer Law Program in Galway and permitting the student to participate, I (including my parents, guardians, and legal representatives) shall not attempt to hold SU, its trustees, officers, employees, faculty, agents and co-sponsoring institutions and their agent(s) liable for any injury, death, or loss to person or property sustained by me while participating in or arising out of any travel or activity conducted by or under the auspices of Suffolk University Law School's Summer Law Program in Galway ("Program").
I am fully aware that this release includes all of my travel arrangements. I have been informed that they are my sole responsibility. SU, its trustees, officers, employees, faculty, agents, and co-sponsoring institutions and their agent(s) are not liable in any way for any type of injury, death, or loss that I might suffer as a result of those arrangements.
I also understand that I am fully responsible for any travel, hotel, and subsistence expenses incurred before and/or after the official dates of the program.
Housing:
SU does not directly provide housing for participants. SU has made an arrangement with the National University of Galway (NUIG) to provide student housing during the Program and will collect the housing fee on behalf of NUIG. However, I understand that I will enter into a housing agreement directly with the International Housing NUIG and SU will not be a party to that agreement. If any disagreement arises related to this housing agreement, or about property damage or personal injury connected to the housing I will resolve that disagreement with the International Housing NUIG and will hold SU harmless for any damage for which I am held responsible. The Suffolk University Law School (SULF) on-site Director will work with me to facilitate resolution of any disagreement between me and the International Housing NUIG to the extent possible. If I choose to not stay in the NUIG housing, I understand that I am undertaking all risks and costs associated with my choice, including but not limited to transportation costs to and from classes at NUIG.
SU requires students planning to operate a motor vehicle overseas to obtain liability and collision insurance that will cover them in the applicable foreign countries. SU also recommends that students insure their personal property from loss or theft.
Medical Treatment & Health Insurance:
I understand that while I am overseas it is possible that a medical emergency may develop rendering me incapable of authorizing necessary medical care, hospitalization, or surgery. In the event of such a situation, to the extent possible or medically prudent, a Program representative or agent will immediately contact the person that I have designated below as my emergency contact for such authorization prior to such treatment. However, this may not be practical or possible depending upon the nature of the emergency. Therefore, I authorize SU through any of the faculty members participating in the Program, to secure any necessary emergency medical treatment, including the administration of anesthesia and surgery. I understand that such treatment shall be solely at my expense and I agree to reimburse SU for any expenses which it may incur on account of my injury or treatment. I also understand that by this authorization I am not conveying upon SU a general power of attorney to make decisions about my health.
I further agree that I (including my parents, guardians, or legal representatives) shall not attempt to hold SU, its trustees, officers, employees, faculty, agents, and co-sponsoring institutions and their agent(s), liable for any injury or death sustained by me in connection with any medical care, hospitalization or surgery I undergo while participating in the Summer Law Program in Galway.
Insurance Coverage:
I understand that I must have health insurance before I travel to Ireland and it may be necessary for me to cover medical expenses abroad and then apply for reimbursement from the insurance plan afterwards. In such a case, I will be solely responsible for preparing and submitting the claim for reimbursement.
Program Changes or Termination:
I understand that SU reserves the right to make cancellations, changes, or substitutions in courses or instructors in cases of emergency or changed conditions in the interest of the Program.
In the event of a total program cancellation by SU, all money advanced by students shall be refunded within twenty (20) days after the date of cancellation.
Withdrawing from a Study Abroad Program
Withdrawal, voluntary
Study abroad programs incur up-front, in-country, nonrefundable costs before the program begins. For this reason, should you withdraw from the program for any reason, only a partial refund of those costs recoverable may be refunded according to the pro-rated schedule, as listed below.
Please note that exceptions can be made in extraordinary circumstances.
A $300 deposit, due at the time of application, is non-refundable, absent extraordinary circumstances.
Withdrawal, Involuntary
Though very rare, Suffolk students may be required to withdraw from a study abroad program involuntarily. Reasons could be - but are not limited to - medical needs, political instability, natural disasters or other evacuations Every reasonable effort to advocate for refunds of unspent expenses will be made. However, Suffolk University will not assume any financial responsibility for such involuntary withdrawals.
Suffolk University reserves the right to cancel any overseas program where the security of Suffolk students might be threatened. This may occur even if the United States Department of State has not issued a travel warning or travel alert. Suffolk University will not assume any financial responsibility for a canceled study abroad program.
If a host university or program provider terminates the participation of a Suffolk student in a study abroad program, Suffolk University will not assume any financial responsibility for such an involuntary withdrawal.
Programs for Study Abroad will notify the Suffolk University Division of Financial Aid of all program withdrawals. Please note that students who withdraw after a program begins should expect to repay any financial aid awarded for the program.
Financial Policies and Procedures
1.) Students with financial holds on their accounts are required to clear those holds before they may leave for the Program.
2.) I understand the failure to pay any fees related to the Program may result in a penalty fee, a hold being placed on the student's account, or the inability to receive credit.
3.) I agree to pay for all costs arising out of my voluntary or involuntary withdrawal from the Program prior to its completion for whatever reason, including withdrawal caused by illness or disciplinary action, as set forth above. I agree that I (including my parents, guardians, and legal representatives) shall not assert claims or hold SU, its trustees, officers, employees, faculty agents, and co-sponsoring institutions and their agent(s) responsible for any costs or losses resulting from said events. Monies forfeited through withdrawal or dismissal from a study abroad program will not be credited toward tuition fees for further studies at Suffolk University
Travel warning/force majeure
I understand that conditions abroad may change rapidly. I further understand that Suffolk University policy prohibits travel to a country or area where a Department of State Travel Warning is in effect. However, Suffolk University shall not be liable to the student for its failure to perform any of its obligations under this Agreement during any period in which such performance is precluded, delayed, or rendered impossible or impracticable due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control, including without limitation earthquakes, governmental regulation, fire, flood, labor difficulties, civil disorder, US Department of State Travel Warnings, and acts of God. Such force majeure events may result in the loss of all deposits and fees already paid.
State Department Travel Information
If, prior to the commencement of a program, a U.S. State Department Travel Warning or Alert covering the program dates is issued for Ireland, all registrants will be notified promptly and be given an opportunity to withdraw from the program.
If, during the course of the program, a U.S. State Department Travel Warning or Alert covering the program dates is issued for Ireland, students will be notified promptly and given an opportunity to withdraw from the program
