Waiver and Release of Claims

The undersigned student acknowledges and agrees to the following regarding study abroad and off-campus programs offered through the Office of Campus Ministries at Bethel University, College of Arts and Sciences or through an approved partner program. 

1. Policies and Procedures: I have read, understood and will abide by the applicable policies and procedures listed on my Team Member Agreement, and will attend and complete all pre-departure meetings and responsibilities as required. 

2. Payment of Fees: I have read and understand the policies on fees, payment schedule, and agree to abide by them, whether operated by Bethel or an approved program partner. I agree that I will be responsible for any and all required payments and charges applicable to the program. I understand and agree that Bethel’s program fees and charges are based on airfares, lodging rates, ministry fees, and travel costs at the time of application, which are subject to change. 

I also understand that, if I voluntarily leave or am removed from the program (for disciplinary, academic, or any other reasons), I will receive no refund of funds. 

3. Program Changes: I understand Bethel has the right to cancel a program at any time prior to departure, in which case all refundable monies paid by me will be refunded in accordance with the Team Member Agreement. Bethel University also reserves the right to cancel a program that is already in progress and to require all participants to return to the United States if it determines that conditions in program location pose a heightened potential of danger to students. I also understand and agree that Bethel may alter the program’s itinerary, travel plans, or accommodations due to risk factors. 

4. Disclaimer of Liability for Institutional Arrangements: I understand that Bethel does not represent or act as an agent for--and cannot control the acts or omissions of--any program provider, host ministry, host family, transportation carrier, hotel, tour organizer or other provider of goods or services involved in the program. I understand and agree that Bethel is not responsible for occurrences that are beyond its control. I agree to accept all responsibility for loss or additional expenses due to transportation delays, necessary program changes, sickness, weather, strikes or other unforeseen causes if not covered by supplemental travel insurance provided. 

5. Assumption of Risk: I agree that my participation in any mission trip or other off-campus program is voluntary on my part. I also understand that participation in a mission trip or other off-campus program involves risks which may not be found or may be different than those that may exist while studying or staying at Bethel University campus. These include risks involved in traveling to and within, and returning from, one or more foreign countries and engaging in activities while in any other country and include, but are not limited to, risks pertaining to: political, legal, social and economic conditions; local medical and weather conditions; different standards of design, safety and maintenance of buildings, public places and conveyances; and increased potential for theft of personal property, personal injury, illness and/or death. I understand that it is ultimately my responsibility to investigate any and all risks of participating in a program, and I agree voluntarily to assume any and all such risks. I also agree that I am responsible to consult the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs website to gain information on all countries and locations to which I may travel while participating in the program for purposes of: 

• making a decision of whether it is safe for me to engage in such travel
• understanding the procedures for application for passport and visas 
• ascertaining specified Travel Advisories posted on the website, recommended immunizations and other medical safety precautions 

6. Independent Travel and Activity: I understand that I will not elect during the duration of the program to participate in any independent travel (“Independent Travel”) or independent activities (each an “Independent Activity”). I agree that if I make the choice to engage in Independent Travel and/or Independent Activity, I voluntarily assume any and all such risks. I understand that Bethel is not responsible for my safety while I am engaged in Independent Travel or Independent Activity and is not responsible to investigate or advise me of risks associated with any Independent Travel or Independent Activity. I also understand and agree that Bethel is not responsible for any loss, damage, injury, illness, and/or death that I may suffer while engaged in Independent Travel or Independent Activity (which is understood to be unapproved and unsupervised) or when I am otherwise separated or absent from any Bethel sponsored or approved study abroad or other off-campus program activities. If I get separated from the program group or fail to meet a departure bus, airplane or train, I agree that I will take all efforts to join the program group at its next location at my own expense. 

I am responsible for maintaining contact with the faculty leaders of my program throughout the program and for following all program safety policies.

7. Health & Safety and Responsibility for Medical Needs; Insurance: I agree and confirm that I have consulted appropriate medical professionals regarding any specific personal medical needs I may have related to participating in the program, Independent Travel, and/or Independent Activity. I agree to provide Bethel with any medical data and other personal information necessary to allow for a safe and healthy study abroad or other program experience. I agree that there are no physical or mental health-related reasons, problems or special dietary requirements or restrictions which preclude or restrict me from safely participating in the program and that, if I have special needs based on any physical mental health condition, I have and/or shall work with Bethel to arrange appropriate reasonable accommodations. I agree to research any vaccination, immunization, and quarantine requirements of my travel destination and to arrange compliance with the same. I agree that, should I have any physical or mental condition arise within 30 days prior to program departure that may affect my ability to safely or lawfully participate in the program to confidentially notify the staff of Bethel’s Office of Campus Ministries so that they can coordinate with me to determine if I may travel for and participate in the program, with or without reasonable accommodation. I agree to assume all risk and responsibility for my medical or medication needs and the costs thereof. If medical treatment or hospitalization is required in a foreign country or in the United States during the program, I authorize Bethel to facilitate necessary care deemed appropriate. (A separate Medical Authorization and Release must be signed prior to participating in a program.)

In addition, I confirm that I have a comprehensive health and accident insurance policy which adequately covers me while studying abroad or participating in another program outside the United States of America. (Note: All students will be provided with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) - travel insurance for the duration of the mission trip or other off campus programs.) 

I also agree that Bethel (including the faculty member or other person responsible for leading or supervising the program), may take any actions considered to be warranted under the circumstances to protect my health, safety or well-being or the health, safety or welfare of other program participants. These actions may include removal of any participant from the program or the removal of other program participants. I agree that I will not receive any refund of program fees if involuntarily removed from the program. 

8. Standards of Conduct: I agree that each local community and foreign location has its own laws and standards of acceptable conduct, including dress, manners, morals, politics, drug/alcohol use and behaviors. I recognize that behavior which violates these laws and cultural norms could harm Bethel’s relations with these countries and institutions therein, as well as my health and safety. I agree to become informed of, and abide by, all such laws and standards for each foreign location to or through which I will travel during the program duration. I am aware that I may be in legal jeopardy, if any violation occurs and that U.S. standards of due process may not apply. I understand and I agree that any legal problems I encounter with foreign nationals or the government will be at my expense. Bethel may not be held responsible for providing me any legal representation. 

8.1 I also agree that I will comply with Bethel’s rules, standards and instructions for student behavior, including but not limited to the policies outlined in the student Code of Conduct and “The Covenant for Life Together.” 

8.2 I also agree that Bethel has the right to enforce the standards of conduct described above in its sole judgment, and that it may impose sanctions up to and including removal from the program for violating these standards or for any behavior detrimental to or incompatible with the interest, harmony and welfare of Bethel, mission trip or other off-campus program, or other participants at any time prior to or during my participation. I agree that due to the circumstances of the program, procedures for notice, hearing and appeal applicable to student disciplinary proceedings on Bethel’s campus do not apply. I agree that If I am removed from a program, I will be sent home at my own expense and I will receive no refund of program fees. 

8.3 I also agree that I will not operate a motor vehicle of any kind while participating in my mission trip or other off-campus program, and further agree that I will not engage in any of the following activities during the duration of the program: riding as a pilot, student pilot, operator, or crew member, in or on, boarding or alighting from, any type of aircraft; mountaineering where ropes or guides are normally used; hang gliding; parachuting; bungee jumping; racing by horse, motor vehicle or motorcycle; parasailing and any other like activity normally considered to be ultra-hazardous, inherently dangerous or regarded as an extreme sport. 

9. Release, Waiver and Indemnification of Institutional Liability: Knowing the dangers, hazards and risks of traveling and studying abroad, and in consideration of being permitted in the program, I, on behalf of my family, heirs, beneficiaries, and personal representatives, agree to assume all the risks and responsibilities surrounding my participation in the program and any Free Travel or Free Activity and forever discharge, release, waive, and agree not to sue the program provider or Bethel University and/or its past and present predecessors, successors, assigns and each of their board members, trustees, officers, agents, employees, insurers and students (the “Released Parties”) from and for any and all claims or causes of action for any losses, damages, property damage, property loss or theft, costs, complaints, personal injury, personal illness, death or other loss arising from or relating to any one or more of my participation in the program or my Free Travel or Free Activity. This release of claims includes, but is not limited to, any suffering, illness, injury, or death that may be sustained by me or my property while I am in, on, upon, or in transit to or from the location of, or participating in the Program or in any activities in connection with the Program. 

Without limiting the foregoing, this release and waiver applies to any independent Free Travel or Free Activity that I may undertake during the duration of the program. In the event I choose to assert any claims in contravention of this agreement, I will be liable for the expenses and reasonable attorneys’ fees and expert witness fees incurred by Bethel in defending the claims asserted. 

I agree to waive any and all claims that may arise against the Released Parties as a result of my participation in the program and any Free Travel and/or Free Activity, including but not limited to claims alleging negligence, gross negligence, and/or willful and wanton negligence. I further agree to waive the protection afforded by any statute or law in any jurisdiction whose purpose, substance and/or effect is to provide that a general release shall not extend to claims, material or otherwise, which the person giving the release does not know or suspect to exist at the time of executing the release. 

I confirm that my agreement and obligations hereunder shall not be limited or reduced in any way because any of the losses, damages, property damage, property loss or theft, costs, complaints, personal injury, death or other loss, including those resulting from the any of my illness, injury and/or death, arise or result, in whole or in part, from the negligence of, or breach of any express or implied warranty or duty by Bethel, or any of its operators, or parent, subsidiary and related entities, or its or their respective officers, directors, employees, agents, servants and insurers. 

I am entering into this agreement for myself and my heirs, beneficiaries, assignees, family members, next-of-kin, executors, personal representatives, administrators and successors of every kind.