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.
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 agreement to the policies and Student Covenant included in the registration form.
"Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers..." - I Peter 2:17
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:
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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.
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Example: July 12, 2010: Deadline for partial refund - for Week Three, July 19-24
Any requests for refunds postmarked or phoned in by July 12 but after June 1st will be honored, minus a $50 deposit. After July 12, 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 Room Assignments
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. They will have an opportunity to set up their dorm room later in the evening.
Students wishing to room together should arrive together, the earlier the better, as there are no pre-assigned rooms.
Most students will receive a room key during their stay at GLCC; there is a $25 fee for lost keys, payable before checking out on Friday.
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.
Clothing
Students should wear neat, clean, modest and activity-appropriate clothing at all times. We recognize that people have different tastes and views on what constitutes appropriate/modest dress. However, we ask that you respect and comply with the following standards while attending SSI. Nice shorts and jeans, pants, shirts, shoes, or sandals for the classroom.
At any time, including when sitting or bending over, shorts must be long enough to cover through mid-thigh, and skirts must cover the knee. Shirts must not show the lower back, the front, or any part of the midsection. No low-cut tops. Tank tops and dresses must not have spaghetti or thin straps. No sagging shorts or pants. When traveling to the State Capitol or other venues to interact with lawmakers and other VIP's, required attire would include nice pants, dress shirts, dresses, and shoes; no flip-flops, jeans, frayed or torn clothing, please.
For the Mock Legislature track, there will be 3 trips to the Capitol. The Friday session will be more formal, so guys should wear a dress shirt, tie and dress slacks (or suits); girls should wear skirts or dress slacks with a nice, modest blouse, or dresses.
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 (there is no air conditioning in dorms), calling card (phones will be available) or cell phone (allowed in dorm rooms only).
- Clothing: Casual clothes (as described above), athletic clothing (for outdoor sports), and enough "dress" outfits for 3 trips to the Capitol or other venues.
- 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 ($10-15), 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, amplified musical instruments, flammable materials, controlled substances, or anything else your mom or dad wouldn't want you to have. Note: electronic devices will not be allowed in the administration building, where all sessions take place (this includes PDA's, IPods, CD 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 wardrobe with him/her, and discuss what constitutes appropriate clothing as suggested above.
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.
