Onsite Program FAQ

If you have any questions not addressed by this FAQ, please contact Jeff Visscher at 517-321-6233 or jeff@ssi-online.org.

Student Statesmanship Institute Onsite Program

How is the Onsite different than the SSI Summer Program?

Onsites are held during the school year rather than in the summer, and are only held for two to three days rather than a week. There are no overnight accommodations and only one track (Mock Legislature) is offered. Otherwise, the Onsite is basically a mini version of the Summer Program, held for schools and home school groups across Michigan.

How should I determine whether my student should attend the Onsite versus the Summer Program?

The Summer Program offers much more in terms of spiritual emphasis and leadership development, and provides and an overall greater lasting impact in the lives of students. Not to mention the various tracks have the privilege of utilizing the Capitol Building and other facilities located in Lansing.

There are many parents who send their student to the Summer Program after attending the Onsite. This gives the student a better opportunity to benefit from the full program and gives them an idea of what to expect. However, if you can't commit to a whole week or the cost is prohibited, the Onsite would be a good second choice.

Registration Process

How does the registration process work?

Each Onsite is administered differently based upon the desire of the host school/group. Typically, you will receive registration information from the host school/group and send in your completed registration form to them. For home school families, often the registration information and form will be located on the SSI website and can be printed off from there and sent to the local coordinator.

How will I know if my registration has been received?

The contact person for your school/group should send out a letter confirming receipt of your registrations. The letter should contain detailed information that you will need to know. For specific questions about your registration you should contact the coordinator for your group.

Early Registration Discounts

How does the early registration discount work?

You can take advantage of the early registration discount when registering no later than two weeks prior to the date of the Onsite. However, always check your registration form as some groups may have different deadlines in order to meet the SSI required two week deadline.

Cancellation Policy

What is the Cancellation / Refund Policy for families?

Onsites are hosted by schools and groups, and are not fully administered by SSI. Each school or group is responsible for the registration of their own students. Please check with the host group for questions about cancellations.

General Questions

Are the students always supervised?

Yes. Host groups are required to supply personnel to supervise the event. In addition, an SSI instructor and/or staff person is on location at all times.

What are the age requirements to attend the Onsite? What do you recommend?

The age requirement is for any teen that is currently in or entering 9th grade through those entering their first year of college. The age appropriateness should be determined by the parent, considering the maturity level, whether the student can engage him/herself, and whether he/she will benefit from the program.

What is the dress code for the Onsite?

Each Onsite can be different depending on the dress code of the host school/group. However, at a minimum, students should wear neat, modest clothing for the general sessions, and business attire during the Committee meetings and Final Session.

While a sport coat or suit is not required, the guys should at least wear dress slacks, with a dress shirt and tie. Girls should wear a dress, or a skirt or dress slacks with a nice blouse. We just want them to be dressed for the occasion.

My son or daughter is attending the onsite? Is there any way I can participate?

Yes! Parents are welcome to attend any of the sessions, and often the host school/group is looking for help with hospitality and other areas. You can indicate on the registration form when you are available to help. It is especially important for family and friends to come and support the students during the Final Mock Legislative Session, which is the last event of the program.

Does the Onsite Program offer any additional tracks besides the Mock Legislature?

No. In order to participate in the Business, Judicial, or Media tracks offered by SSI, your student must have attended at least one week of the SSI Summer Program.

What does attending the Onsite count toward when attending the Summer Program for the first time?

If a student is attending the Summer Program for the first time and HAS participated in an Onsite program with no absences, he/she may be a member of the Senate.

Likewise, if a student is attending the Summer Program for the first time, but has NEVER participated at an Onsite, he/she will automatically be placed in Mock Legislature House track.

How would I go about hosting on Onsite in my community?

Contact the SSI office and you will be sent a Presentation Packet further explaining the program. If you wish to speak to someone about the program, contact SSI Program Director Jeff Visscher at 517-321-6233 or email jeff@ssi-online.org.

If you have any questions not addressed by this FAQ, please contact Jeff Visscher at 517-321-6233 or jeff@ssi-online.org.

Disclaimers

Among other things, SSI encourages students to discuss both sides of the issues dealt with in the Legislative simulation. We accomplish this by assigning each student a bill to support and one to oppose. Students may be asked to take a position and / or make a speech on an issue that does not reflect their own, or their parents' views.

Through role-playing students come to know both sides of an issue. An important principle of debate is to know your opponent's position and be able to articulate it better than they can in order to effectively refute that position. Students, however, are allowed to debate the issues from a variety of technical or constitutional points of view and are not required to argue from a "liberal" position.

The issues being debated are actual bills taken from the Michigan Legislature and include: The Marriage Amendment, Smoking, Violent Video Games, Stem Cell Research, Displaying the Ten Commandments, Teen Drivers, Spam Email, and Intelligent Design.

Parents should determine whether the issues being debated are age-appropriate for their younger children.