Michigan State University
Controller's Office

305 Administration Bldg
East Lansing, MI 48824
517 355-5020

SECTION 25: Field Trips

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  1. General
  2. University Transportation
  3. Initial Arrangements
  4. Funding
  5. Responsibility
  6. Private Automobiles
  7. Exhibits/Forms

I. General

  1. This section sets forth procedures for instructors of organized groups of students to schedule transportation for field trips in connection with a University program.
  2. The cost of field trips, including the travel expenses of the instructor, can be funded from departmental funds, including general funds, or where the cost of the field trip exceeds the unit's ability to support the trip, from the participating students.
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II. University Transportation

  1. Buses, sedans, vans, station wagons and other vehicles are available for transportation.
  2. Qualifications of drivers must be in accordance with all laws and regulations of the Federal government, and  the State of Michigan, and the stipulations of the Office of Risk Management and Insurance and the University Travel Regulations (see Section 35 and Section 70).
  3. Employees (including graduate assistants) may drive University vehicles (except buses) on authorized University trips.  Students may drive only under conditions specified by the Office of Risk Management and Insurance (see Section 35).
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III. Initial Arrangements

  1. The first step in scheduling a field trip is to furnish the Automotive Services Office (Motor Pool 353-5280) with the following information (see Section 245):
    1. Type of vehicle(s) required
    2. Date and time of departure
    3. Destination
    4. Date of return
    5. Name of person to whom vehicle is to be assigned and/or person responsible for coordinating the field trip
    6. Account number to be charged (see Item IV below)
  2. When University Motor Pool vehicles are not available for the date(s) requested, the customer will be offered the choice between leasing a vehicle from an off-campus source or using their personal automobile.  The Motor Pool Office arranges off-campus leases.  Transportation estimates will be provided upon request.
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IV. Funding

  1. Field Trip cost funded by department

    The unit should use good judgment as to the academic value of the exercise and the unit's ability to fund.

    If the cost of a field trip will be covered by departmental funds, the department should provide their account number to the Motor Pool Office when reserving the vehicle(s).  This account will be charged by the Motor Pool Office after the completion of the trip.  There is no need to contact the Field Trip Section of the Cashier's Office.

  2. Field Trip cost funded by students

    1. When students will be required to pay for some or all of the estimated cost of the field trip, the Field Trip Section of the Cashier's Office, 110 Administration Building, 355-3313, is available to facilitate the collection of deposits from the student participants.
    2. The department should furnish to the Field Trip Section the information noted below after making transportation arrangements with the Motor Pool Office.   (This may be done by memorandum via e-mail.)
      1. Name and department of person in charge of the trip
      2. Date of departure and return
      3. Destination
      4. The number and type of vehicles
      5. Estimated total cost given by Motor Pool
      6. Total number of students expected to participate in the trip
      7. The amount to be paid by each student participant.
    3. Field Trips should be planned far enough in advance of the departure date to enable the students to have their portion of the field trip paid to the Cashier's Office, 110 Administration Building, three (3) working days prior to the departure date.
    4. Field trip costs include transportation costs and travel expenses of the instructor(s).  If there are additional costs that are being shared by students, the Field Trip Section should be consulted to determine if it is appropriate to collect through the Cashier's Office.
    5. Students should be asked to make their deposit in the Cashier's Office, 110 Administration Building.  The amount collected from all students should be sufficient to cover the estimated total cost of the trip (unless there will be a co-pay arrangement with the department).
      1. "Field Trip Deposit Cards", (Form CO-ca-7a, see exhibit 25-A) should be used by the student to make their deposit.  They are available in the Cashier's Office for students to use.  Field Trip Cards can also be furnished for distribution within the class.  Contact the Field Trip Section for a supply of cards.
      2. Upon payment of the fee, the Field Trip Card will be validated by the Cashier.  One part is returned to the student as a receipt.   The other part is furnished to the Field Trip Section for accumulating the total deposit.
      3. The Field Trip Cards are to be used for payment of costs listed under Item IV.B.4. only.  Expenses such as meals, lodging, etc., must be paid as incurred by participating students.
    6. The Field Trip Section will notify the Motor Pool Office when sufficient funds have been collected to pay for a trip.  The department or instructor will be notified three (3) working days prior to the departure if there are insufficient funds on deposit to cover the estimated cost of the trip.  An additional one (1) working day will be allowed for students to pay the sufficient funds.  If there are still not enough funds on deposit two (2) working days prior to departure, the department will be asked to cancel the trip unless the department chooses to make up the difference.  In the event of cancellation, the Field Trip Section will notify the Motor Pool Office.   If applicable, the Motor Pool Office will notify the commercial company.
    7. When the actual cost of a field trip is less than the estimated cost, refunds will automatically be made to the students for overcharges of $2.00 or more per student.  Amounts under $2.00 per student will not be refunded.
      1. Refund checks will be mailed to the students within thirty (30) days from the date all charges are determined to have been received and the Field Trip Section has computed the amount due each student.
      2. The instructor must notify the  Field Trip Section in writing within fifteen (15) days of the announced field trip departure date, regarding any students entitled to a full refund because of an excused absence.
      3. Instructors should contact the Field Trip Section for instructions and procedures regarding refunds.
    8. Departments will be responsible for paying field trip expenses incurred in excess of field trip deposits made.
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V. Responsibility

  1. The person to whom the vehicle is assigned is responsible for the conduct of the participants during the field trip.
  2. The responsible person should terminate the trip at any time when in his or her opinion the conduct of the participants will detract from the public image of the University.
  3. Departments may be held responsible for costs incurred to repair damaged vehicles.  Further information may be obtained from Motor Pool regarding the limit on the department's financial responsibility.

VI. Private Automobiles

  1. Faculty and staff members may transport students on field trips in private vehicles and be reimbursed for car mileage from funds collected from the participants via the Field Trip Deposit card procedure.
  2. Those individuals who use privately owned vehicles on University business are responsible for obtaining adequate insurance in an amount that will cover their legal responsibility. (see Section 35, Guidelines for Automobile Use)

    The University does not carry physical damage insurance on a privately owned vehicle.  The University Auto Liability insurance is excess of the owner's personal coverage.

VII. Exhibits/Forms

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