Field trips are a valuable part of the educational experience. The learning process is improved by the opportunity to observe things in the field. Students involved in everything from the arts to the sciences benefit by going to off-campus environments.

Unfortunately, in a litigious society, injuries caused in off-campus field trips and travel create exposure to lawsuits that University employees must understand and address. Field trips expose participants to an element of risk and the potential for injury that may not be present in the classroom. By complying with the required use of the UC Waiver of Liability, by knowing who can and who can't participate in field trips, by following certain guidelines with respect to transportation, and by understanding what kind of insurance provides coverage for field trip participants, faculty and staff can better plan their field trips, encourage people to think about the potential risks of field trips prior to beginning them, and reduce the University's exposure to costly claims and lawsuits.

Whether a field trip is or is not a required component of a class, i.e. whether the student must go on the field trip to fulfill a class requirement or has the choice of participating or not, students on field trips must sign the UC Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risk, and Indemnity Agreement. Further, any participant on any UC field trip who is not a student must, without exception, sign the UC Waiver of Liability Agreement. It puts participants on notice that there is risk associated with the activity they intend to participate in and releases the University and its employees from liability if the participant is injured. If your department sponsors field trips and does not use the UC Waiver of Liability it may be unnecessarily exposing the University and the department itself to costly claims and lawsuits. (For additional information see Quick Tips: The UC Waiver of Liability).

It is UC policy to limit participation in UC-sponsored field trips to authorized employees and students registered in the class in which the trip occurs. This improves staff control and supervision and consequently reduces risks. Students, spouses, children, and friends not registered in a class are not allowed to participate in class field trips without specific authorization from a department control point. If a department determines that a person not registered in a class may participate in a class field trip, that person must sign the UC Waiver of Liability - Elective/Voluntary Activities just like the other participants.

Departments may choose to make the transportation arrangements to get students to and from the field site. However, transporting people creates risks. Since the principal goal of a field trip is the instruction that occurs at the field trip destination, we recommend that, whenever possible, University employees minimize their involvement in transportation arrangements. If it creates no hardship or inconvenience there are fewer complications if the role of the University begins and ends at the field trip destination. It is therefore preferable that field trip participants make their own transportation arrangements to get to the field trip location.

EMPLOYEES' PERSONAL VEHICLES AND RENTAL VEHICLES: When a University employee uses a personal vehicle or a rental vehicle while engaged in activities within the course and scope of his/her employment, it is the employee's responsibility to obtain appropriate insurance. For additional information see Quick Tips: Insurance When Driving on UC Business.

UNIVERSITY VEHICLES: The University insures its vehicles for both liability and physical damage. If University vehicles are used on a UC field trip the University auto liability and physical damage insurance programs provide coverage. Any accident must be immediately reported to this office and Transportation Services by completing and submitting a Report of Vehicle Accident or a Transportation Services Damage Report (available from Transportation Services). For additional information see Quick Tips: Insurance When Driving on UC Business.

STUDENTS' PERSONAL VEHICLES: When a student uses a personal vehicle or a rental vehicle it is the student's responsibility to obtain appropriate insurance. The University does not purchase or provide insurance coverage for the personal vehicles of students.

BUS CHARTERS: Departments may charter buses to get field trip participants to an off-campus site. When the University charters buses, the bus company is required to carry insurance. The amount of insurance is based on the number of passengers. The Purchasing Department has agreements with bus companies that meet our insurance requirements.

BOAT CHARTERS: When the University charters boats the charter company is required to carry insurance. The amount of insurance is based on the number of passengers. The Purchasing Department can provide departments with information about vessel charter companies that meet our insurance requirements. For additional information see UCSB Risk Management: Boat Charters.

BOAT TRAVEL (Non-Charter): An alternative to chartering a boat is to schedule the trip on a regularly-scheduled boat open to the public and to ask the participants to purchase their own tickets. In this case the insurance we require when entering into a charter agreement with a vessel owner is not necessary. For additional information see UCSB Risk Management: Boat Charters.

EMPLOYEE LIABILITY COVERAGE: The University maintains a self-funded general liability insurance program. It provides coverage for the negligent acts or omissions of employees as long as they are engaged in activities within the course and scope of their employment. The program does not cover students. For additional information see Quick Tips: General Liability Insurance.

EMPLOYEE'S WORKERS' COMPENSATION: The University maintains a self-funded workers' compensation insurance program. It provides coverage for employees if they are injured while engaged in activities within the course and scope of their employment. When injured, an employee can contact the department MSO or AA and request an Employee's Claim for Workers' Compensation Benefits form. California law requires that this form be given or mailed to any employee, injured on the job, within one working day of the time the injury is reported to the employer or the time the employer becomes aware of the injury. For additional information see the UCSB Workers' Compensation web site.

STUDENT ACCIDENT/MEDICAL COVERAGE: The University does not provide medical and accident insurance coverage for students. It is a student's responsibility to purchase and maintain medical/accident insurance.The University does provide interim insurance for registered students who are participating in certain off-campus activities that are scheduled, sponsored, and supervised by the University. For additional information see Quick Tips: Student Off-Campus Insurance.

When participating in a covered activity, an eligible student is automatically covered with $10,000 of accidental death and dismemberment insurance and $5,000 of accident and sickness medical insurance. The procedure for making a claim against this program is described in Quick Tips: Student Off-Campus Insurance. Use the Student Off-Campus Insurance Claim Form to make a claim. The UC Field Trip Group Leader must provide the Attending Physician's Statement to the treating doctor to report any treatment provided and any costs incurred as the result of any injury or illness contracted by an eligible UCSB student participating in a covered activity. Complete and submit both forms to UCSB Risk Management. Student Off-Campus Insurance coverage stops when the student returns to campus.