Participation in an Institute for Field Research (IFR) Field School makes you a representative of the IFR. Therefore, you must adhere to our Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct outlines expected student behavior while at the program, issues related to alcohol consumption, dealing with legal representation if violating local laws, our anti retaliation policy and jurisdiction. Please read carefully before attending any of our programs.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION
Students are subject to disciplinary action for several types of misconduct or attempted misconduct, including but not limited to:
- Disruption of teaching, research, administration, or other IFR activities;
- Physical abuse, threats of violence, rape or other forms of sexual assault, or conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person on IFR property or in connection with official IFR functions, including those activities taking place in the field;
- Disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace, or failure to comply with the directions of an IFR employee or field school staff member acting in his/her official capacity;
- Unlawful use, possession, sale, distribution, or manufacture of controlled substances, identified in federal and state laws or regulations, on IFR properties or at official IFR field activities and functions.
- Archaeological heritage is the property of the people and nation in which students are working. Sites, artifacts and ecofacts are not private property. Trading, selling or otherwise removing material culture from sites without authorization from project director is violation of the law. In many parts of the world, trading in antiquities is considered criminal offence, subject to prosecution and jail time. Do not engage in any trading, exchanging, selling or buying of archaeological artifacts at any time.
- Archaeology is a destructive science. Uncontrolled excavation is considered looting and may be subject to prosecution. Follow your project director(s) and staff excavation and/or survey instructions carefully and do not initiate excavations or any other type of removal of archaeological artifacts, features or ecofacts on your own.
- Dishonesty, such as cheating, multiple submission, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information to the IFR;
- Forgery, alteration, or misuse of IFR documents, data, or identification;
- Theft of, damage to, or destruction of any property of the IFR or property of others while on IFR premises, including field schools, as well as on the premises of all property provided by the program;
- Failure to pay bills for extra services or incidentals associated with the program;
- Unauthorized entry to or use of IFR properties, equipment, or resources or imagery anywhere in the world.
- Field schools are deeply embedded within local communities. Field schools strongly relay on local communities and government authorities for the ability to conduct research and be awarded both official permits and community consent to work at the area. Student behavior that will endanger the reputation of the project may impact this balance and will not be tolerated. It may be cause for immediate removal;
- Any behavior that endangers the student or others – staff members, members of the local community or other students – is reason for immediate removal from the field school.
Students in violation of the code of conduct will be expelled from the program at the instructor’s discretion. In the event a student is expelled, the student is not eligible to receive a refund of any of the fees paid to the IFR. Expelled students will not be permitted to participate in any program activity or be entitled to any program benefits including, but not limited to, travel, meals, academic credit, and housing. Furthermore, the student will be responsible for any additional costs incurred for lodging and transportation once expelled.
ALCOHOL
Drinking alcohol while socializing is common in many parts of the world. The attitude in some countries toward alcohol may be much different than in the United States. Drinking in some countries is part of the social experience, but not the focus of it. Excessive drinking or drunken behavior is not acceptable. Public drunkenness is illegal in many countries. If your consumption of alcohol becomes disruptive to your program, it is cause for immediate expulsion. If you choose to drink, please be responsible.
AVOIDING LEGAL DIFFICULTIES ABROAD
When you are in a foreign country, you are subject to its laws and are under its jurisdiction, NOT the protection of the U.S. Constitution. You can be arrested overseas for actions that may be either legal or considered minor infractions in the United States. Be aware of what is considered criminal in the country where you are.
If you are arrested on a drug or criminal charge, it is important that you know what can and cannot be done. Always use your one phone call to contact the nearest United States embassy or consulate.
| The U.S. Consular Officer CAN: | The U.S. Consular Officer CANNOT: |
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NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
Review the full IFR Nondiscrimination policy here.
ANTI-RETALIATION POLICY
The IFR strictly prohibits any form of retaliation against any field school participant – student or staff member – who in good faith makes a complaint, raises a concern, provides information or otherwise assists in an investigation or proceeding regarding any conduct that he or she reasonably believes to be in violation of the Student Code of Conduct, other Institute for Field Research policies, or applicable laws, rules or regulations.
This policy is designed to ensure that all field school participants feel comfortable speaking up when they see or suspect illegal or unethical conduct without fear of retaliation. It is also intended to encourage all field school participants to cooperate with the IFR in the internal investigation of any matter by providing honest, truthful and complete information without fear of retaliation.
No field school participants should be discharged, demoted, suspended, threatened, harassed, intimidated, coerced, or retaliated against in any other manner as a result of his or her making a good faith complaint or assisting in the handling or investigation of a good faith complaint, that an IFR policy, the Student Code of Conduct, or an applicable law, rule or regulation has been violated. Field School participants who in good faith make a complaint or participate in an investigation or proceeding under this policy, however, remain subject to the same standards of performance and conduct as other participants.
The IFR prohibits field school participants from being retaliated against even if their complaints are proven unfounded by an investigation, unless the participant knowingly made a false allegation, provided false or misleading information in the course of an investigation, or otherwise acted in bad faith. Field School participants have an obligation to participate in good faith in any internal investigation of retaliation.
The IFR takes all complaints of retaliation very seriously. All such complaints will be reviewed promptly and, where appropriate, investigated.
REPORTING VIOLATIONS
If you believe you have been retaliated against or that any other violation of this policy has occurred, or if you have questions concerning this policy, you must immediately notify the Institute for Field Research and/or your field school director. You may also call the Institute for Field Research Hotline, a 24-hour per day, 7-day per week, phone line at 1-(424) 226-6983 or email the Institute for Field Research at info@ifrglobal.org.
REMEDY
Any field school participant – student or staff member – who violates this policy is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of participation and employment.
JURISDICTION
The relationship between you and the Institute for Field Research shall be governed by the laws of the State of California without regard to its conflict of law provisions. You and the Institute for Field Research agree to submit to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts located within the County of Los Angeles, CA, where the Institute for Field Research is located.