Studio Site Visits

It is often the case that studio options, and occasionally other courses, involve travel to sites. Chairs must approve in advance any site visits that require long-distance travel. While this travel may be considered a course requirement, instructors are advised to provide alternate assignments for students who cannot or choose not to travel, whether due to visa constraints, health issues or other concerns.

The school has designated one week each term as the preferred site visit week for trips that require students to miss more than a day of classes. It is not a requirement that instructors adhere to this guideline. However, it is extremely helpful in non-studio classes for student absences due to studio travel to be clustered in the same week. This enables instructors in these classes to avoid scheduling exams or paper submissions in that week, and it may stimulate them to schedule make-up reviews the following week for their students who have been absent.

For 2007-08, the preferred week for fall term studio travel is October 8-12 (Columbus Day week). For spring term, the best weeks will be either February 18-22 (President’s Day week) or March 24-28 (Spring Break). Instructors should announce the dates of studio travel during their studio options presentations at the beginning of each term.