Memorandum
To: Faculty
From: John Orr, Provost
Date: July 26, 2007
Re: Individually Sponsored Residential Projects (ISRP's)
Many students and faculty augment the educational opportunities available at WPI's formal project centers and programs with individually sponsored residential, off-campus projects. After reviewing these offerings, WPI's risk management advisor, William L. Granahan, Senior Consultant at Milliman and Robertson, Inc., recommended that all such programs adhere to common, carefully structured risk management protocols such as those developed and implemented by IGSD. Otherwise, students, faculty, and WPI are exposed to unnecessary risk.
Hence, I am requiring completion of the following risk management protocol by all faculty intending to advise students who will earn academic credit while in residence off-campus in individually sponsored projects.
Two terms in advance of the off-campus activity: Faculty advisor sends a letter of intent to the Provost's office (with a copy sent to Natalie Mello in the IGSD). The letter describes the scope of the anticipated project, where it will happen, how many students will participate, and the term that the students will be off-campus.
- Ten weeks prior to departure: Faculty advisor completes and submits a completed ISRP Information Form (PDF) to the IGSD. The ISRP form is co-signed by the academic department head (MQP or HU&A activity) or Dean of IGSD (IQP). At this time a signed Transcript & Judicial Release Form for ISRPs (PDF) must be submitted for each potential student participant.
- Eight weeks prior to departure: All students expecting to participate in an ISRP should be in good academic standing at this time. WPI reserves the right to withdraw acceptance to students who are subsequently placed on academic warning. Students placed on academic probation are not eligible to participate. Upon review of academic and judicial records for each student the IGSD will inform the advisor of students who may be disqualified due to poor academic performance or judicial history at WPI.
- Six weeks prior to departure: Student participant(s) submit the following forms to the faculty advisor: the Acknowledgement of Voluntary Participation, the Off-Campus Students' Health Update and Records Release Form, and the WPI Off-Campus Travel Information Form.
- Five weeks prior to departure: The advisor submits these completed forms (item 3) to the IGSD. Please note that all forms can be found at the IGSD Web Page http://www.wpi.edu/Academics/Depts/IGSD/.
Activities that do not fulfill the conditions of this protocol by providing the required information at the time specified will not be eligible to earn academic credit.
At the completion of step 3, WPI's risk managers will review the information provided and make a recommendation to the Dean of IGSD, who will assist me in making a final decision to approve or disapprove the activity based on considerations of risk management. The faculty advisor will learn of this decision no later than the first day of the term preceding the proposed activity.
Although additional forms and procedures are always a burden, the information requested here is necessary for prudent risk management. Taking the time to collect it carefully and completely will protect everyone in the WPI community.
Maintained by webmaster@wpi.eduLast modified: April 08, 2008 09:15:51