Program Policies and Procedures

With Regard to Student Enrollment

1. The normal ratio of Program Leader to students is 1 to 15. Some programs may require more extensive assistance and supervision than others. An Assistant Leader may be a faculty member, graduate assistant, spouse, or another individual who is employed by the program and who is expected to travel and stay with the students throughout the course of the program. Faculty and staff leading high demand programs will establish a participant selection process and make it very clear in recruitment literature that selection is competitive.

2. Rhodes students seeking to enroll in a Rhodes Off-Campus Program must complete and submit an Off-Campus Study Application for Rhodes Summer/"Maymester" Programs to the Buckman Center for International Education. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. As soon as an application is complete, it is reviewed. Admission decisions are usually made within two weeks of a submitted, completed application. Some programs fill quickly, prior to the March 15 deadline. Therefore, it is important to apply as early as possible.

Deadline for Scholarship Applicants: February 1 (or next business day)

Deadline for Non-Scholarship Applicants: Rolling Admission ending on March 15 (or next business day)

An Off-Campus Study Application consists of:

Application Fee ($50 payable to Rhodes College, checks only)
Complete Off-Campus Study Approval Form for Rhodes Summer/"Maymester" Programs (Late submissions must include a $60 Late Fee in addition to the $50 Application Fee)
Unofficial Academic Transcript (printed from Banner Web)
Statement of Responsibility & Assumption of Risk Form

For Scholarship Applicants:

Scholarship Application
First Scholarship Recommendation
Second Scholarship Recommendation
Scholarship Language Evaluation (if Applicable)

Applicants are not officially enrolled in a program until they receive notification of acceptance from the Buckman Center.

3. Non-Rhodes students must complete and submit a Non-Rhodes Student Application Form in addition to $45 application fee and the Statement of Responsibility and Assumption of Risk Form. They must also submit an official transcript from their home institution and be accepted before they can participate in a Rhodes program. These applications are also reviewed on a rolling basis and must be received by the Buckman Center no later than March 15 (or next business day).

4. The Statement of Responsibility and Assumption of Risk Form is the only waiver necessary for student participation in a program (unless you have specific requirements associated with your program). If a program leader should want to include a program-specific waiver involving risk and/or responsibility, s/he must have it verified by the Buckman Center, and it should be completed along with the Off-Campus Study Application.

5. Eligibility: The Buckman Center welcomes applications for Rhodes programs from students who possess a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 (unless specified higher than 2.50) and are in good social standing. Some Rhodes programs have additional language requirements or other prerequisites, which must be stated clearly in all marketing materials. Applicants are reviewed on the basis of their complete academic record, timely submission of required documents, and disciplinary history. Applicants who have been denied based on one or more of these factors may request a review of the decision by submitting a letter of appeal to the Director of International Programs within 5 business days of the decision. Applicants who have been denied based on an insufficient grade point average MUST also submit a letter of support for participation on the program by the Rhodes faculty member leading the program.

All admissions are conditional based on continued good academic and social standing.

With Regard to Programming and Implementation

1. Study abroad and domestic programs may offer a maximum of 1.5 credit hours for each week of instruction, regardless of the number of course involvements for each student. Any deviations from this policy must be considered, in advance, by the Educational Policy Committee. Courses will normally entail a minimum of 20 teaching and contact hours per week, excluding excursions, group meals, homework, and other assignments.

2. Faculty and staff leading and accompanying programs are required to attend a Risk Management Workshop prior to the program abroad.

3. Faculty leaders are responsible for leading country or site-specific safety sessions with students before departure and, if deemed necessary, again on site.

4. Faculty members will rent or purchase a cell or satellite phone for use during the study abroad or domestic program. Monies needed to rent or purchase the phone should be included in the program’s budget.

5. Secondary program leaders/program assistants who are not agents of Rhodes College must be approved by the Dean of Faculty. Criteria for eligibility include, but are not limited to, program needs, international experience (if applicable), qualifications and discipline. Contact the Buckman Center for more information.

6. It is strongly discouraged that program leaders be accompanied abroad by friends and/or family members. Should friends and/or family members be included, this must be requested in advance by the program leader and approved by the Director of International Programs in consultation with the Dean of Faculty.

7. Rhodes will not allow scholarship monies, institutional financial aid or any other Rhodes monies to be applied to travel, study, internships, research trips, or College-related business in countries or regions for which the State Department has issued a Travel Warning prior to the start of the program or trip. In extenuating circumstances, appeals to waive the Travel Warning Policy may be made in writing to the Dean of Faculty.

8. Students wishing to study, intern or serve on a non-Rhodes program and in an country or region for which the State Department has issues a Travel Warning must sign a waiver indicating that they understand that they are going to a Travel Warning country, that Rhodes will not allow transfer of scholarships or financial aid and they are studying, interning, or serving in that country or region against the advice of the College.

You may obtain U.S. Department of State travel warnings/advisories and consular information for the country to which you are traveling at http://www.travel.state.gov/.