Program Guidelines and Information Sheet

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION CAREFULLY!

Introduction    

Welcome to the Timberline Campus of Colorado Mountain College and congratulations on your decision to pursue a career in the field of Outdoor Recreation.  The Outdoor Recreation Leadership/Wilderness Studies Program is designed to provide you with a strong academic background coupled with the latest information and technology in Recreation Services.  In addition to a strong academic background, technical outdoor skills and applied leadership skills will be the focus of our program. 

            Our mission statement reads:  "The mission of Colorado Mountain College's Outdoor Recreation Leadership/Wilderness Studies Program is to provide our students with strong academic and experiential opportunities which  emphasize safety, environmental awareness, and technical skills, while promoting personal growth and group development through rediscovery of the natural world.  To this end, we seek to lead our students to higher educational learning opportunities and a professional career path in Recreation Leadership."

            To achieve this goal, we must all work together in a conscientious and professional manner.  The following information is offered to provide you with guidelines that will build a foundation for success.

SAFETY                       

Safety will be the primary concern of all persons at all times.  If at any time you feel physically or emotionally unsafe or recognize unsafe conditions, please stop the activity immediately and correct the situation.

ATTENDANCE 

This program is the beginning of your career as an outdoor professional.  Just like showing up for a job everyday, you are expected to attend all classes.  Excessive, unexcused absences may effect your grade and result in failure of the particular course.

PUNCTUALITY             

As with any career, punctuality is important.  It is the responsibility of each student to be ready to begin class on time.  Tardiness is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

ASSIGNMENTS             

All homework and reading assignments will be completed as assigned.  All work done outside of the classroom must be typed.  Correct punctuation, spelling and grammar is expected.  Late assignments (unless pre-approved by the instructor) and/or work that is not typed will not be accepted.

PORTFOLIO                

Sometimes referred to as the "portable file cabinet," this portfolio, a large, portable file box, will be organized by class.  Each class file should be kept neat and organized with handouts, written assignments, class notes, etc.  This portfolio will be a tremendous resource for you in the future.

TESTS                         

Students are responsible to be in attendance for all scheduled tests.  Cheating will result in a score of ‘0’.  Unexcused absences will also result in a test score of ‘0’.

QUIZZES          

Students should be prepared for quizzes at any time on previously assigned reading, lecture or homework.

GRADING        

Grades will be determined on a percentage basis and may differ from class to class.  Grades may be issued on the following basis:  attendance, class participation, assignments, attitude, professionalism, and tests/quizzes.  Some components of this program may be challenging.  Always contact the instructor if you are having difficulty in the class.  The Learning Lab can also be a great tool for additional help.

FIELD TRIPS               

Field trips are an extension of the campus.  Students on field trips will be subject to the same rules and will conduct themselves in a professional manner at all times.  Representing Colorado Mountain College and the Outdoor Recreation Leadership/Wilderness /Studies Program in a professional manner is of utmost importance.  Failure to do so may prevent future participation in the program, and subsequent disciplinary action from the College.

GROUP AND PERSONAL EQUIPMENT 

It is the student’s responsibility to provide all equipment listed on the "Required Personal Equipment/Clothing List" for any field course.  Failure to do so may eliminate participation in that course.  This is a safety issue.  Any group gear assigned to you or your group becomes your responsibility for care and maintenance.  Failure to properly care for any program gear may result in a billing statement assessed to the student for the repair or full replacement of damaged or lost equipment.

CMC STUDENT HANDBOOK    

Read and be familiar with your student handbook.  It contains valuable and important information.  Student responsibilities, honesty, and the “code of conduct” listed in the handbook also apply to all academic and field courses in the Outdoor Recreation Leadership/Wilderness Studies Program.

PERSONAL ATTITUDE/PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR      

You are preparing for a professional career in the field of Outdoor Recreation. This is a people profession and, as such, your friendliness and willingness to work with people is important.  Your dress, appearance and personal hygiene must reflect a professional demeanor.  The professionalism you develop now will carry with you into your career and/or educational opportunities.  Unprofessional behavior will prevent you from advancing your career and/or educational opportunities.  Careers in the outdoor field are very popular and very competitive.  Our goal is to educate and prepare our students with a professional demeanor that will significantly increase their chances of getting a job or being accepted into a school for an additional degree or graduate work.  Experience has shown that those who look at their education as an important element of their career or a "means to an end," progress much more rapidly and are hired over those who have not adopted the idea that their professional future begins with their educational experiences.  Additionally, inappropriate behavior such as insulting racial comments, jokes in poor taste which may insult a person, or using language that is offensive, will not be tolerated in any course.  A professional attitude yields professional results.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE 

The laws concerning the use and abuse of “controlled substances” (drugs or alcohol) are generally clearly stated by local, state, and federal laws.  The following statements are from the substance use policy section of the student handbook:

·         Students are prohibited from attending class while impaired by alcohol or drugs.  Impaired, for the purpose of this policy, means that the student’s performance is diminished, or the student has a blood alcohol content of .05 or higher or has tested positive for drugs.

·         No student shall operate a College-owned vehicle if he or she has consumed any alcoholic beverages or drugs.

·         Students may be required to submit to a scientifically valid test for alcohol or drugs if in the opinion of the site administration such test is necessary and appropriate.

·         Alcohol shall not be served at any on-campus functions or student functions.

·         Distribution of alcoholic beverages to minors is illegal;  violators will be subject to disciplinary actions and/or referred to legal authorities.

·         Students who believe they may have an alcohol or drug problem are strongly encouraged to seek help.

·          Any student in violation of the above policy could be subject to disciplinary actions up to and including termination or expulsion from the college.  As of Spring, 1999, a new federal law has been enacted that allows colleges and universities to notify parents of alcohol or other drug related violations.

Any drug or alcohol use is a violation, and as such will not be tolerated during any academic or field course offered by the Outdoor Recreation Leadership/Wilderness Studies Program.  Drug and alcohol abuse will not only jeopardize your safety, but could jeopardize the safety of an entire group in a wilderness setting.  This is a very serious issue.  One serious incident  could jeopardize the future of the entire Outdoor Recreation Leadership/Wilderness Studies Program. Violation of the substance abuse policy will be grounds for dismissal from the program and subsequent disciplinary action from the College.  

            Tobacco, in any form, in academic or field courses, including travel, will only be allowed in the Outdoor Recreation Leadership/Wilderness Studies Program during the non-class hours (before and after the official class times listed in the course syllabus) for the following reasons:

·         Safety        “Nicotine is a colorless, oily, water-soluble, highly toxic, liquid alkaloid found in tobacco” (Random House Dictionary).  Nicotine is a "vasoconstrictor” drug that will cause “vasomotion” - a shrinkage in the diameter of blood vessels throughout the body.  “Vasoconstriction” can cause a person to become hypothermic or frostbitten much quicker in a cold or wet environment since the circulation of warm blood is being “constricted.”  Because it can also have an effect on nerve endings, it may go unnoticed or undetected until advanced or dangerous levels of hypothermia or frostbite have settled in--which in some cases, may necessitate evacuation.

·         Ethical/Environmental        Many people choose a “wilderness experience,” among other things, to get away from having to breath second hand smoke.  Some feel “second hand smoke” is a violation of their right to a “smoke free” environment--including the outdoor wilderness setting.  The rights of the “wilderness” and others need be respected in this regard.

·         Professional        Most outdoor agencies strongly discourage or do not allow employees to use tobacco on the job for reasons listed above.  They also want to present a “professional image” for their business.  This presents a burdensome challenge if you intend to lead a group for several days in the back-country and have become “addicted” to nicotine.  Whether you become a camp counselor or professional guide, if you cannot give up tobacco for any extended period of time and your employer expects you to, you may find yourself having to hide your “addiction” from your group or employer.  Not a good idea if you are striving for professionalism, employer satisfaction, and job retention.  

Smoking may NOT be done in or around any program equipment at any time.  This includes tents/tarps, stoves, and technical equipment (helmets, harnesses, ropes, etc.).  All cigarette butts are to be packed-out.  Violations will result in a loss of smoking privileges.  

APPEARANCE AND PERSONAL HYGIENE         

            The vast majority of outdoor professionals are educated and well groomed.  No one will want to hire you, work with you, or be around you if you look like a side-show freak and/or smell like you’ve been living in a dumpster.  Bathe regularly, wear clean clothing, and maintain a professional appearance.  Just because you spend a lot of time in the outdoors doesn’t mean you have to look or smell like a wild animal.  Remember this quote from the 1965 OUTWARD BOUND movie ‘As Tall As The Mountains’;  “Civilization isn’t a matter of geography.  It’s the practice of a civilized person wherever they are”. 

FACULTY RECOMMENDATIONS             

            Faculty are not required to provide recommendations for any students for employment if they feel the student cannot measure up to the responsibilities and standards of the employment agency or employer.  If you would like to receive a letter of recommendation from your instructors in the Outdoor Recreation Leadership/Wilderness Studies Program, please request the letter in writing at least two weeks in advance if possible.

FINAL THOUGHTS            

           These program guidelines are provided to you by the faculty of the Outdoor Recreation/Wilderness Studies Program and are designed to ensure that every participant has an enjoyable and positive educational experience at Colorado Mountain College.  If for some reason you cannot agree with these rules, please contact one of the full-time professors to discuss your options.  We hope you will enjoy Colorado Mountain College!