General Security Guidelines and Agreement for Joint-Enrollment Program in Toulouse, France, 2006

Security Guidelines: The program directors place your safety and well-being above all other concerns. Nevertheless, you are the one who is best able to guarantee that safety. So keep these items in mind from the time you leave the U.S. until you return:

Avoid any hangouts popularized or frequented by American tourists.
Make an effort to blend into the local population as much as possible.
Speak only French in public.
Never speak English loudly or yell across long distances, as these behaviors attract attention.
Avoid shorts, cut-offs, ragged clothing, tank tops, or any other distinctively casual American attire in public and while attending classes and program activities.
Do not congregate in large groups on the streets.
Get written permission from the Program Director on the appropriate form before attending a public event that involves large crowds of potentially unruly people.

· Be observant at all times. Grip tightly pocketbooks, cameras and camera bags, tote bags, backpacks, etc., while you are walking or riding public transportation.

· Minimize the amount of identification and money you carry with you – take only what you need for a given activity.

· Be alert to persons who bump or jostle you. Do not put down, even for an instant, pocketbooks, wallets, passports, cameras, etc., in plain sight or where they’re accessible to strangers.

· Always check before you go out on public streets or on public transportation to be sure that zippered or snapped compartments of bags, billfolds, wallets, etc., are closed.

Security Agreement:

I understand that during the Toulouse portion of the trip, any weekend or late-day trips must be authorized in writing by the Program Director on the appropriate form. The Program Director(s) must also, in writing on the appropriate form, authorize any evening activity that necessitates my return after 2:00 a.m. I understand that I will not be granted permission to leave Toulouse on any weekday or weekend unless accompanied by the family in Toulouse with whom I am staying or by one of the program chaperones.
I understand that I will not be granted permission to travel outside Toulouse if such travel conflicts with class hours or scheduled academic excursions. I understand that if I miss classes without acceptable excuses, I will incur academic and/or other penalties. I understand that if I am absent from activities or classes, it is routine for the Program Director to call my host family and inquire about my condition.
I understand that in Paris, I will be under the supervision of teacher/chaperone(s) at all times, day and night. I will abide by any and all rules set by my teacher/chaperone(s), and I understand that any behavior that endangers the group or its individual members may result in penalties that, if the Program Directors find it necessary, include sending me home immediately at my or my family’s expense.
I understand that I am forbidden to consume alcoholic beverages unless I am in the presence of my French host parents or the program chaperones, and this only with the explicit permission of my parents or legal guardians (see below).
I hereby acknowledge that I have read these General Security Guidelines and that I agree to abide by the procedures described in this and all other program documents. I also understand that all decisions made by the Program Director(s) are final and binding.

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Participant Signature Date Parent Signature Date

I, the parent or guardian of this participant, hereby grant my permission for him or her to consume alcoholic beverages in the presence of his or her French host parents or the program chaperones.

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