Below is an explanation of the High School Journalism Institute regulations. The asterisk (*) marks any rule whose violation is grounds for immediate dismissal from the workshop. Please read all regulations carefully. A student who is dismissed from the workshop for violating any of the rules marked with an asterisk (*) will not receive a refund of any of the workshop fee.
See below for policies regarding:
A. All students must be inside Spruce Residence Hall by 10:30 p.m.
B. All students must be on their dorm floors by 10:45 p.m.
C. All students must be in their assigned rooms for room check at 11 p.m. each day of the workshop.
D. All students must have their lights out and minimize cell phone use by 11:30 each night of the workshop. No one should make phone calls after 11 p.m., except for an emergency.
E. *Separate floors exist for male and female students. No guests of the opposite sex are allowed on the floors except during check-in and check-out hours.
F. Keep your room locked at all times when you are not present. The University assumes no responsibility for missing or damaged property.
G. Once you have been assigned a room, you are responsible for it and are not to switch rooms with anyone else. Keep it neat and orderly during your stay. Bunk beds must be left intact and furniture should not be rearranged. You will be required to pay for any damages you cause. A lost room key card results in a $15 charge to replace.
H. Room assignments will be made to encourage social interaction rather than assigning students from the same school to the same area. However, if a roommate request accompanies the registration of both students involved, as indicated on registration materials, we will make every effort to assign people the roommate of their choice.
I. Please remain quiet in your room and in the halls during the evenings, as there will be other students trying to sleep or study.
J. Except when attending class or another HSJI-supervised activity, students must sign out with their floor counselors when they leave Spruce Hall or Franklin Hall. The digital sign-out system will be used to aid the counselors in locating a student in case of an emergency. Students are required to sign in upon return.
NOTE: Dorm counselors are specially trained and qualified adults who will be present to help you with any problems you may encounter during the week. If you have any questions or problems, please ask! All counselors are or were students at IU, so they are familiar with campus and Bloomington.
Because the practice of quality journalism requires interviewing and photographing or video recording people and events, students may wish to conduct interviews across campus or off campus. HSJI staff have developed the following policies and procedures to address student safety concerns and to comply with University policies while also allowing reasonable access for reporting. This policy and its procedures intend to protect HSJI students and employees from situations that put them at risk for inappropriate interactions between adults and minors.
A. Students must use the “buddy system” while on campus and in Bloomington. Students should not walk alone to class and events on or off campus.
B. Students should save the HSJI counselors’ office phone number into their cell phone contacts.
C. Students must sign with their counselor when they’re going somewhere other than Spruce Hall, Franklin Hall, or another HSJI classroom on campus. They must also sign back in upon their return.
D. Students are encouraged to use the campus and city bus systems, but they may not ride in personal vehicles during the Institute other than the program van. Students who need to make special transportation arrangements or who seek advice on using the bus system are encouraged to talk with an HSJI counselor.
E. No adult, whether faculty, counselors, lab assistants, or visiting professionals, should ever meet in private with a minor. Should they need to meet with students individually, they should do so in an open, public space where other people are present.
F. Non-HSJI employees, such as guest speakers and visiting journalists, do not require background checks if they will be interacting with students in a group setting, such as a classroom, cafeteria, lecture hall, or public space on campus. However, at least one HSJI employee must be present.
G. HSJI staff will recruit volunteers ahead of time, check their names against the Sex Offender Registry, and then check photo IDs against the list on the day of the event.
H. Non-HSJI employees who lead field trips outside of Spruce Hall or Franklin Hall do not need background checks, but at least one HSJI employee must accompany students on the field trip.
I. In compliance with state law, staff and faculty who suspect a child is being abused must inform either Child Protective Services (1-800-800-5556) or local law enforcement (911), which includes IU police departments. At Indiana University, you must also inform the University Director of Public Safety, who is the designated agent under state law.
A. Should you require medical attention at any time, get in touch with a counselor. Minor first aid will be administered by one of the Red Cross-certified counselors. If professional health care is required, students will be taken to the Indiana University Student Health Center or the IU Health Hospital.
B. Parents will be expected to pay medical bills for students. In the event an ambulance is called, the parents or guardians will be expected to pay the cost.
C. Students are asked to send information about allergies or pertinent illnesses, family or personal insurance company information, and the name of a person to notify in case of an emergency.
D. It is the responsibility of the health care facility to notify the parents in cases of serious illness. The healthcare facility also assumes the responsibility for procuring permission for treatment and notifying the parents of the student’s condition.
E. Counselors cannot dispense medication of any kind to students without written permission from parents or guardians.
F. A refrigerator will be made available for students who have medication that must be kept cold.
G. Special accommodations will be made for students with health conditions. Please contact the HSJI office or see a counselor if you have questions or concerns.
