Barcelona SAE is committed to promoting a safe, healthy, student-centered and inclusive community where all participants can engage in academic, personal and cultural growth. All Barcelona SAE program participants must agree to the following Code of Conduct in order to participate in a Barcelona SAE program. Violation of any part of the Code of Conduct will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, and may result in dismissal from the program with no refund. 

While abroad, participants act as representatives not only of their home country and home university, but of Barcelona SAE as well. Barcelona SAE expects all participants to behave in a manner that is respectful of people, customs, laws and property. Participants are responsible for researching and understanding Spain’s laws, as well as familiarizing themselves with all relevant information related to safety, health, political, religious, and cultural conditions of the host country. 

While enrolled in a Barcelona SAE program, it is expected that participants will abide by the following Code of Conduct, the Onsite Code of Conduct Addendum, and the participant’s home university Code of Conduct. Any violation of this code will be met with appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the program with no refund. 

BEHAVIOR POLICY

While in a host country, participants are subject to that country’s laws and regulations. The laws of a participant’s home country may differ from that of the host country and participant(s) will not necessarily have the same legal rights or protections as they would in their home country. Any participant convicted of a crime abroad can expect incarceration and/or fines, and Barcelona SAE will not assist in legal matters caused by a participant’s criminal offense.

Violation of any of the following may result in disciplinary action:

Risky Behavior

Engaging in risky behaviors that jeopardize the safety and well-being of oneself or others is strictly prohibited. Examples of risky behaviors include, but are not limited to:

• Repeated intoxication or Violation of the Alcohol and Drug Use Policy
• Participating in physical fights or acts of violence
• Dangerous driving
• Not wearing a seatbelt when needed
• Engaging in extreme sports* 
• Engaging in illegal activities such as trespassing, vandalism, or theft

(*) Including but not limited to mountain climbing, skydiving, automobile racing, scuba diving, bungee jumping, jet, snow or water skiing, spelunking, whitewater rafting, off-road motorcycling, etc.

Bullying, Harassment, Assault, and Discrimination

Any form of bullying, harassment, assault or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, ethnic origin, age, veteran status, political belief, gender identity, gender expression, sex, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, socio-economic status or any other characteristic is strictly prohibited and may lead to expulsion from the program. This includes discriminatory, biased, abusive language or behavior towards Barcelona SAE staff, university faculty/staff, host family members, or other Barcelona SAE program participants.

Other examples of situations that may result in disciplinary action include but are not limited to:

• Criminal behavior or violation of local laws, including theft or vandalism
• Violation of housing rules including damage to facilities, housing, university, hotels, or transportation vehicles of Barcelona SAE and/or onsite partners
• Violation of host university’s rules, including policies of academic integrity regarding plagiarism or cheating
• Disorderly, indecent, or obscene conduct
• Falsification of documents or personal records submitted to Barcelona SAE as part of the application or acceptance process
• Any inappropriate conduct including but not limited to any violation of Barcelona SAE policies

ALCOHOL AND DRUG USE POLICY

Participants who are of legal drinking age in Spain and choose to drink alcohol are responsible for their actions at all times. Excessive drinking, as determined by Barcelona SAE staff, may be grounds for dismissal, as it can affect the safety of the group and/or the individual. 

Intoxicated participants will not be allowed to participate on any Barcelona SAE sponsored excursion or activity, and will not receive a refund for the missed excursion or activity. Drinking will not be allowed during program activities, classes or internship placements, except for rare occasions during activities in which tasting is part of the activity or an executive team staff member, or university partner, has made the decision to allow it. In these cases, participants are expected to show culturally sensitive norms related to alcohol use.

The use, sale, or possession of illegal drugs by participants is strictly prohibited and will result in disciplinary action, up to and/or including immediate dismissal from the program and informing the student’s home university. The alcohol and drug policy is taken seriously and any participants in violation will be appropriately disciplined. The study abroad provider reserves the right to request drug tests in the case of reasonable suspicion of illegal drug consumption during the program.

Please note that it is illegal for anyone under 18 to consume any alcoholic beverages in Spain. Participants who are under 18 years old are expected to refrain from drinking alcohol during the program’s duration.

Should it come to Barcelona SAE’s attention that a participant under 18 has been drinking, returning home or to class intoxicated or hungover, or causes a behavioral disruption with cause to believe it was linked to consumption of alcohol or drugs, appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Barcelona SAE staff will determine the seriousness of any given offense, issue the appropriate warning to the participant and inform the participant’s home university of the action taken. When necessary, Barcelona staff will investigate and/or review an incident before taking disciplinary action.

If a student engages in violent behavior towards any member of the Barcelona SAE staff, host family, university faculty/staff or other Barcelona SAE participant(s), they will be dismissed from the program with no refund. 

Warning Process

Disciplinary actions operate under a warning system: a participant’s infraction will result in an official warning. A warning involves a written reprimand, and informing the participant’s home institution.

Further infractions may lead to more severe disciplinary measures including being removed from program housing, prohibition from program activities, dismissal from the program or other measures as deemed appropriate by Barcelona SAE.

In some cases if the first infraction is deemed severe enough, more severe disciplinary measures could be taken including immediate dismissal from the program with no refund.

Disciplinary action may include but is not limited to any of the following:

• Notification: Barcelona SAE will notify the participant’s home university of any violation of Barcelona SAE policies. The student’s home university will determine any additional follow up or restorative action that may be required based on home institution policies.
• Probation: participant(s) will be given disciplinary probation in the case of receiving an official warning. Any further violation during probation may result in dismissal.
• Restitution: participant(s) may be required to pay for damages or theft.
• Loss of privileges: participant(s) may be denied permission to participate in activities, excursions, etc, permanently or for a designated time period. No refund will be given for missed activities.
• Housing termination: Barcelona SAE has the authority to remove any participant from their residence and/or the program in the case of inappropriate behavior. If this occurs, the participant will be personally responsible for securing alternative housing at their own expense. No refunds for housing payments will be given.
• Academic and Internship discipline: participant(s) may face disciplinary actions from their host institution/placement including expulsion from the institution/placement depending on the infraction.
• Dismissal: participant(s) may be permanently expelled from the program. The dismissed participant will not receive a refund of any kind. 

Termination of participation does not diminish or otherwise affect the participant’s obligation to make any and all payments to the program. The dismissed participant will not receive any grades or transcript and may be required to reimburse his/her home university for financial aid received. The home university may take appropriate action in response to dismissal, such as denying registration, suspension or dismissal from the home institution.

SIGNATURE

As a participant on a Barcelona SAE program, I agree that it is my intention to act as a goodwill ambassador and conduct myself in an appropriate manner at all times. I have read the Code of Conduct carefully and I agree to follow the rules and regulations set forth.

In addition to this Code of Conduct, our participants agree to abide by the Onsite Code of Conduct Addendum that outlines further rules regarding Health & Safety, Activities & Orientation, Academics (When Applicable) and Internships (When Applicable), and by the Housing Rules.

If I violate any portion of the Code of Conduct, I understand I will be subject to expulsion from the program and face possible disciplinary action upon returning to my home university. If I am sent home due to a violation of this contract, I understand that I will be sent home at my own expense.

I understand and agree that I and/or my family will be held financially responsible for any additional expenses incurred due to my behavior or actions.

I understand that Barcelona SAE reserves the right to communicate with the Emergency Contacts that I provided in the Emergency Contact & FERPA Form, in the event that the staff has a concern about my health and safety onsite. This may mean communicating the status of my physical or mental health, medical treatments, academic performance and/or behavioral incidents.