When students leave the campus to participate in service-learning experiences, all liability issues should first be properly resolved. Each of the following steps is important to ensure that the students and BYU-Idaho are properly covered and free from liability:

Step 1: The Master Service-Learning Placement Agreement.

This contract should be reviewed and signed by both the faculty member, (acting as the Faculty Agent), and the Community Partner (acting as the Experience Provider). This document outlines the general terms and agreements between BYU-Idaho, the Community Partner, and the students.

• Immediately upon the execution of this document, the original agreement should be forwarded to the Faculty Coordinator (Doug Ladle, Taylor 202A, +1510).
  
• The faculty member maintains the first copy (yellow).
  
• The faculty member provides the second copy (pink) to the Community Partner.
  

Execution of this contract is required when a service-learning partnership between BYU-Idaho and a Community Partner is established. One contract is valid thereafter, for all similar BYU-Idaho service-learning activities conducted at the site.

When establishing a service-learning partnership, contact Doug Ladle, (ext. 1481) to find out if a contract is already in force to find out if a contract is already in force. If so, he will provide you a copy of the active agreement.

For most service-learning activities, this is the only required agreement. In certain service-learning situations, the possibility might exist for a BYU-Idaho student to harm a Community Partner or client through negligence. In these situations, the execution of this agreement provides up to $1,000,000 liability insurance to cover any damage or harm a student might cause a Community Partner. This agreement also requires a student to have his/her own health insurance and to carry vehicle liability insurance if he/she provides transportation for self and/or other students to or from a service-learning site.

Step 2: Proper Orientation and Training.

To prevent any liability problems with a service-learning activity, the faculty member and BYU-Idaho must provide adequate orientation and training to participating students.

• Read and carefully explain in detail the Master Service-Learning Placement Agreement to the students as part of this orientation.
  
• The Community Partner is also obligated to assist with the students’ orientation and training. Ascertain that this step is not overlooked as you prepare and introduce your students to the service-learning experience.
  
  

Step 3: Report the Number of Participating Student.

To provide the $1,000,000 liability insurance coverage for each student participating in service-learning activity, the number of students participating in each class must be sent to the Service-Learning Faculty Coordinator (Doug Ladle, ext. 1481) every semester. This information is needed so a premium can be paid for each student.

Step 4: BYU-Idaho Student Service-Learning Agreement.

The BYU-Idaho Student Service-Learning Agreement must be signed by students participating in activities that would place them at risk. For example: 1) Students traveling out of Rexburg, or 2) Students serving at a site where they could be injured.

The signed agreement is retained by the faculty member.

• Counsel with the Faculty Coordinator for service-learning (Doug Ladle, ext 1481) to determine if this contract is required for your particular service-learning activity.
  
• If it is determined that this agreement is needed, obtain a signed BYU-Idaho Student Service-Learning Agreement from each participating student.
  
  

Several faculty members have found the following ideas effective in having students complete this contract:

• Complete this contract with each student as a class activity. Blank copies of the BYU-Idaho Student Service-Learning Agreement may be obtained from the Service-Learning Faculty Coordinator (Doug Ladle, TAY 202A, ext. 1481). Inform the students about the Community Partner, the service-learning activity, and risks involved.
  
• Have the students read the statements on both sides before signing the agreement.
  
• Another approach would be for the faculty member to first complete information about the Experience Provider on a master copy of the contract. A copy could then be made for each student. Be sure to copy both sides of the agreement. Request the students to write in their personal information, read both sides of the agreement, and then sign the agreement.