Policies and Procedures

Introduction

The International Institute for Scientific and Academic Collaboration (IISAC) has developed Policies and Procedures for the Semester in India Program (SIP) to:

Safeguard its mission to provide an enjoyable and transformational experience for its students while studying abroad in India and;
Maintain an optimal learning environment for IISAC students.

Although policies and procedures generally appear restrictive, they are meant to protect and nourish your study abroad experience in India and of other students as well. It is our sincere intention to give you the room to grow and mature and, in turn, our expectation is that you will accept the liberties incumbent upon you as a responsible and competent adult.

This document sets expectations for students' conduct, establishes standards of behavior, and identifies courses of action IISAC may take to resolve any failure to meet these standards and expectations.

IISAC requires all SIP students to adhere to the following policies and procedures. A violation of these policies and procedures may also constitute a violation of foreign and domestic city, state, or federal law and vice versa.

Late Arrival

Students are expected to arrive on the time, date and location specified by IISAC to the Program Orientation in India. Students must provide a written request to the IISAC Chairman to receive permission for late arrival to the orientation program. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from the program at the discretion of the IISAC Chairman.

Withdrawal

Students are required to stay for the entire program duration and complete all academic responsibilities such as examinations and papers prior to the conclusion of the program. If an exceptional circumstance such as physical injury, emotional health problems or family emergency causes a student to depart early, IISAC will work with the student and his/her home institution to provide alternative arrangements for completing the academic coursework. However, IISAC cannot guarantee that such arrangement can be provided or that the credits will be obtained. Please see Withdrawal Policy in the Pre-Departure Handbook for details on cancellation prior to departure. If the student withdraws from the program without prior written consent from the IISAC Chairman, IISAC will impose academic penalties and monetary fines as it deems appropriate under the circumstances.

Exceptions

If at any point prior to or during the semester, the student feels an exception to any IISAC policy should be made, he/she must submit a request in writing to the IISAC Chairman. No other party is authorized to grant exceptions to IISAC policies and procedures. The IISAC Chairman will consult the relevant parties and make the decision.

Substance Abuse Policy

Unlike the United States , alcohol can be legally purchased by people over the age of 18 in India . However, the penalties for substance abuse violations in India are often harsher than in the U.S. Excessive alcohol consumption leads to poor and unsafe judgments, which may be dangerous for foreigners in any country. Drunkenness is also frowned upon and is socially unacceptable in India . If your alcohol use proves disruptive or unsafe to you, the group or the program, you will be dismissed from our program per the discretion of IISAC officials and/or criminal prosecution may be pursued as per the laws of India , Tamil Nadu and/or Pondicherry .

Any use of illegal drugs or narcotics will result in immediate expulsion from the program and criminal prosecution will be pursued.

Please remember that students traveling to India are subject to Indian laws and are not protected by the laws of their home country.

Disruptive Conduct

Students should conduct themselves in a dignified manner while participating in IISAC's Semester in India Program. Students should be respectful of Pondicherry University students, faculty members and University officials. Students that threaten the health, safety, or welfare of another or trespasses into any Pondicherry University facility, service or activity will be violating IISAC's Policies and Procedures. Any and all violations of these policies is grounds for expulsion from SIP.

Theft

Theft is defined as taking or possessing the property of another without right or permission. Students shall respect the property of the University, its guests, and all members of the University community. Specific violations include the unauthorized taking, misappropriation, possession, retention, or disposal of any property owned or maintained by the University, another student, a person attending a University sponsored event, or any other person. Such conduct is grounds for dismissal from SIP and may be reported to the local law enforcement.

Sexual Assault and Harassment

IISAC and Pondicherry University is committed to protecting its students and will not tolerate sexual assault or harassment. Sexual assault occurs when a person is physically forced, is coerced, or physically or mentally is unable to give consent and may be committed by an acquaintance or a stranger. Sexual harassment refers to verbal or physical contact of a sexual nature that is unsolicited, unwelcome, and personally offensive. Examples of sexual harassment include: repeated offensive sexual flirtations, advances or propositions, repeated verbal comments about someone's appearance, the inappropriate display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures, or any offensive or abusive physical contact. Violations will be judged by IISAC and Pondicherry University and may be reported to the appropriate law enforcement authorities.

Dismissal Policy

IISAC's Program Coordinator will warn its students who are abusing the rules and are in danger of disciplinary sanctions. However, when the offense is of such significance to warrant suspension, a warning is not necessary. The Program Coordinator may suspend a program student for one week while the final decisions are made in collaboration with IISAC's U.S.-based team. During this period, the student will be prohibited from all IISAC group activities. If the student is dismissed from the Semester in India Program, IISAC will notify the student's home university/college and parents (if the student is a minor) of its decision and the reasoning behind the course of action taken.

Host University Modifications

IISAC is not responsible for modifications or changes made by Pondicherry University which include changes to academic calendar, room and board as well as other program components.

Residence Hall Regulations

SIP students must follow Pondicherry University policies in regards to residence hall behavior and residence agreements established by Pondicherry University . Additionally, SIP students are responsible for the behavior of their guests and for ensuring that guests comply with all Pondicherry University regulations.

Academic Integrity

All students must subscribe to the highest academic integrity during their studies at Pondicherry University . It is unacceptable to misrepresent results of one's research, to steal the words or ideas of another, to cheat on an assignment, or to allow or assist another to commit these acts corrupts the educational process. Students should do their own work and should not give or receive unauthorized assistance. Any violation of this standard can result in expulsion from the host and possibly home university. Below are possible violations:

Plagiarism includes the use of someone else's words, ideas, or data as one's own. When a student submits academic work that includes another's words, ideas, or data, whether published or unpublished, the source of that information must be acknowledged with complete and accurate references and, if verbatim statements are included, with quotation marks as well. By submitting work as his or her own, a student certifies the originality of all materials not otherwise acknowledged
Fabrication is the use of invented information or the falsification of research or other findings. Fabrication may include false citation, the use of fictitious data, unauthorized submission of an academic work prepared by another, etc.
Cheating is an act or an attempted act of deception by which a student seeks to misrepresent that he or she has mastered information that has not been mastered. This includes copying portion of another's academic work, allowing another person to copy one's own academic work, the unauthorized use or possession of a class textbook, notes, or any other material to complete or prepare an academic work, the unauthorized collaboration with other person on an academic exercise, etc.

Class Attendance

Students must attend all registered courses on-time. Students may only miss classes if approved by the Program Coordinator and Foreign Student Advisor and for a legitimate reason such as physical illness. Students who miss classes without permission will be at risk for dismissal at the discretion of IISAC officials. Students cannot travel away from the program during while classes are in session but may travel during the weekends. However, it is highly advised for the students' safety that the Program Coordinator be notified of all travel plans.

Health and Safety

Students should understand that living and traveling in a foreign country involves inevitable risks to one's health and safety. Therefore, students are responsible to provide accurate and complete information on the Medical Information Form and to exercise good judgment and common sense in a variety of area which include food, drink, hygiene, conduct, sexual behavior, and exposure to carriers of infections and diseases such as mosquitoes and animals. IISAC will provide information on vaccinations and general advice on health matters prior to travel, during the initial orientation and throughout the program. However, the student is ultimately responsible to maintain health and safe conduct while abroad as well as to obtain medical advice on living and traveling abroad from competent medical authorities.

Students must understand that building safety standards in foreign countries are not the same as those in the U.S. and agree to accept that risk.

Given the dangers and risks of driving motor vehicles in India , students are forbidden from operating or owning vehicles while enrolled in the Semester in India Program. If the student is caught driving a motor vehicle while enrolled, IISAC will bear no legal or financial responsibility for any accident while operating the vehicle. Additionally, the student may be dismissed from the program as per the discretion of IISAC officials.

Program Cancellation

IISAC reserves the right to cancel the Semester in India Program indefinitely for any number of reasons such as insufficient enrollment, U.S. State Department Travel Warnings, or other factors beyond IISAC's control. In the case of a cancellation of the program, IISAC will provide alternative program suggestions, deferment of enrollment to another semester or a full refund of the program fees including deposit and application fee.