Policies, Standards & Expectations

It is our desire to make each student's week at SSI a profitable, enjoyable, life-changing experience. While we expect no problems from the students, it is important to define the boundaries and lay the foundation for expectations and conflict/problem-solving ahead of time, so everyone is aware of policies and procedures.

"Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers..." - I Peter 2:17

While your student is at SSI, he/she will be under the supervision of SSI staff, instructors and chaperones. Our goal is to have the ratio of chaperones to students at no less than 1:10. SSI staff will be on location at all times. The SSI staff, instructors and chaperones will clearly communicate to students our expectations.

All students are required to sign and agree to the policies below and the Student Covenant. A copy of these documents is included in the Registration packet and in your Confirmation packet.

SSI's Cancellation/Refund Policy

SSI understands that students may, at times, be unable to attend SSI during the week for which they originally registered and would request a refund of their registration fee. Of course, we would ask that you always first consider attending a different week. However, if that is not possible, due to costly administrative commitments, refunds will be honored as follows:

  • June 1: Deadline for FULL refund - all weeks
    Any requests for refunds postmarked or phoned in by June 1st will be honored in full, including the deposit. Refund checks are mailed approximately 2-3 weeks after the request is made.

  • Requests for refunds postmarked or phoned in after June 1st, but no later than two weeks prior to the week attending, will be honored, minus the $50 deposit. Refund checks are mailed approximately 2-3 weeks after the request is made.

  • No refunds will be permitted for cancellations within two weeks of the week attending.

  • Example: July 8, 2013: Deadline for partial refund - for Week Three, July 21-26
    Any requests for refunds postmarked or phoned in by July 8 but after June 1st will be honored, minus a $50 deposit. After July 8, no refunds will be permitted.

NOTE: If a student is dismissed as a result of disciplinary action or leaves to go home for any reason (illness, etc.) during his/her week at SSI, no refund or partial refund will be issued. Likewise, no one may attend in his/her place.

Alternatives to Refunds

Attend a Different Week - Students are encouraged to attend a different week of SSI, as space allows, rather than not come at all. We will make every attempt to make adjustments where possible. Therefore, if a student wishes to switch to a different week, he or she must indicate that to SSI as soon as feasibly possible. If no room is available in another week, a refund may be issued according to the policy outlined above.

Transfer Registration - Some people choose to allow someone else to use the registration when their child is no longer able to attend SSI. This is sometimes, but not always, acceptable and depends on each individual situation. Please call the SSI office immediately if you are thinking of transferring the registration to another individual.

Schedule

While students attend SSI, it will be very important that they get enough sleep to meet the challenging itinerary. All activities are mandatory, and all students will be expected to participate in every activity unless prior permission is obtained. A sample schedule can be viewed here. The final schedule will be distributed at registration.

Dorm Rooms

Dorms will open at 5:30 p.m. Dorm rooms are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Students REGISTERED before 6:30 p.m. may go to the dorms to set up their room, returning to the Chapel no later than 6:40 p.m. Students registering AFTER 6:30 p.m. must go straight to the Chapel for an ice-breaker activity. Students will have an opportunity to set up their dorm room later in the evening.

Note: Due to limited dorm capacity, and SSI’s desire to allow as many students to attend as possible, we cannot guarantee that every student will have access to a bed frame. Mattresses are available for each student.

Students wishing to room together should arrive together, the earlier the better, as there are no pre-assigned rooms. However, students will NOT be allowed to enter the dorms prior to 5:30 p.m.

Most students will receive a room key during their stay at Great Lakes Christian College; however, there is a $50 fee for lost keys, payable to GLCC before checking out on Friday. The actual cost for a lost key is more than double what SSI charges, but this is how much students will be charged.

Note: There is no air conditioning in the dorms; it is recommended students bring a fan.

Students with Special Needs

Please note on your return documents special needs that will require any degree of consideration. If it is appropriate, we will contact you for more information so that we can plan for the support necessary to ensure a positive experience for your child.

Chaperones, staff and instructors may, at their discretion, ask a student to immediately change his/her outfit to something more appropriate.

What to Bring

  • Bedding: Sleeping bag or blanket and sheets, pillow, etc.
  • Toiletries: Towel, wash cloth, soap, shampoo/conditioner, comb/brush, sun screen, toothbrush, etc.
  • Supplies: Bible, pen/pencil, notebook, alarm clock, fan (recommended - dorm rooms have no air conditioning), a wristwatch and a calling card – cell phones are allowed in dorm rooms only.
  • Clothing: Casual clothes for time spent on campus, athletic clothing for outdoor sports, including closed-toed shoes, nice casual, and enough “dress” outfits for presentations and trips to the Capitol or other venues (see below).
  • Sports Equipment: Some will be provided; however, feel free to bring your own basketball, volleyball, soccer ball and/or other outdoor sporting equipment.
  • Spending Money: Only needed to buy an SSI tee shirt ($10), souvenirs from the Capitol Building, or pop or snacks from vending machines or campus store.

What NOT to Bring

Do Not Bring: Stereo, video, or computer equipment (NO Laptops, Tablets, or e-Readers), unless given prior permission, electronic devices (such as games, iPods, or CD/MP3/DVD players), amplified musical instruments, flammable materials, or controlled substances. Note: electronic devices will not be allowed in the administration building where all sessions take place (this includes IPods, MP3 players, cell phones, etc.) Calling cards are preferred to cell phones. Cell phone use will only be permitted in the dormitory. If in doubt, call the SSI office at 517-321-6233. We'll let you know whether you should bring it.

Note to Parents: Please take the opportunity to go through your child's luggage with him/her, and discuss what constitutes appropriate and modest clothing as outlined below, and to ensure no items are brought from the list above.

Clothing

While we recognize that families have different tastes and views on what constitutes professional, modest and appropriate dress, all students attending SSI are required to respect and comply with the following. If these standards are not met, SSI Staff may ask a student to immediately change his/her outfit to something more appropriate.

General Standards

Students should wear neat, clean, modest and activity-appropriate clothing. No torn, frayed or ragged clothing please.

Definitions:

Casual: jeans or shorts, tee shirts, sneakers or sandals

Nice Casual: khakis/dress pants or skirts, with collared or dress shirt, and dress shoes (no flip-flops)

Business: Collared shirt and tie with dress pants or suit for guys, dress, skirt/dress pants & blouse, or business suit for girls.

Ladies: At any time, shorts must be long enough to cover through mid-thigh, and skirts, dresses, and business suits must cover the knee at all times, regardless of whether leggings are worn. No low-cut tops. Tank tops and dresses must not have spaghetti or thin straps. Shirts must not show the lower back, the front or any part of the midsection. No pajamas outside of dorm rooms.

Gentlemen: No sagging shorts or pants. Shirts must be worn at all times. Shirts must not show any part of the lower back or midsection. No pajamas outside of dorm rooms.

Specific Event Standards:

For the Legislative track, There will be 3 trips to the Capitol. Monday will be casual; no shorts or flip-flops allowed. Dress code for Wednesday and Friday trips will be business attire, so guys should wear dress shirt with tie and dress slacks, or suits; girls should wear a dress or modest blouse with a skirt or dress slacks. Reminder: Dresses, skirts, and business suits must cover the knee.

Business Track: Business dress for the Thursday evening presentation and for the trip to the Capitol on Friday for the group photo.

Judicial Tracks: Business dress for the trials on Thursday and Friday, and Moot Court arguments on Friday.

Media Track: Business dress for Wednesday and Friday Capitol trips. Nice casual dress for media tours on Tuesday and Thursday. For Broadcast students, business dress will be required for filming.

Campaign Track: Business dress for the debate and for possible filming of campaign ads. Nice casual for possible tour, and for the trip to the Capitol on Friday for the group photo.

Additional Expectations

  • Nametags shall be worn at all times when outside dorm rooms.
  • No food, candy, beverages, gum, etc. will be permitted in the Chapel at GLCC or in the Capitol Building, Courtrooms, etc.
  • Guests and official observers at the Capitol, Courtrooms, etc. are restricted to lobbies and visitors galleries. Only SSI participants, Staff, ADCs and Chaperones are permitted on the House Floor.
  • Please label all belongings. SSI is not responsible for lost or stolen items.

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 may include: Marriage, Obscenity, Gambling, Abstinence, Abortion, Smoking, Violent Video Games, Stem Cell Research, Religious Liberty, Personal Liberty, and a host of other issues including economics, transportation, etc.

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

If you have any questions, please feel free to call the SSI office at (517) 321-6233.