Travel Policies

All of our procedures and policies on travel and whereabouts are designed for the safety of our students.We take our policies seriously; any violation of our whereabouts rules may result in dismissal from the program. Note that as students develop competencies in navigating New York City, and as they demonstrate a mindful disposition toward safety and reliability, our city travel policies become more liberal.

During first three weeks of the term (Orientation):

Academic and Open Day Travel

While students learn to navigate New York City’s neighborhoods by subway and on foot, they travel primarily as a group under the supervision of CITYterm faculty.

After the first three weeks:

Academic Day Travel

Students working on CITYterm projects travel to and around New York City in groups of three or more. Most expeditions and events (museums, theater, neighborhood explorations) include faculty presence.

On “Open” days (primarily Saturday evenings and Sundays):

Students may travel in groups of three or more to and around New York City destinations approved by a CITYterm faculty member.

In the final weeks of the term:

The policies above under “After the first three weeks” apply, plus students may occasionally travel alone, with explicit faculty and parental permission (see below), to public libraries, scheduled interviews, and other research sites in safe neighborhoods.

Special Permissions

When might a student need a parent’s explicit permission to travel?

Automobile Travel

Students must have specific permission from a parent or guardian to ride in an automobile with an adult (other than the parent/guardian or a CITYterm or Masters School faculty member.) Students may not ride in automobiles with other students and may not keep an automobile on campus.

Weekend Leaves

Students, generally, are not permitted in the city after 11:00 p.m. without CITYterm staff present unless they are signed out with parents or on an overnight leave. All leaves require parental permission, a host’s invitation and CITYterm staff approval. Students need to fill out a weekend card with travel and contact information. Parental and host permissions must be received by phone, fax or email in the CITYterm office by Thursday noon for a Saturday night leave.

Special Travel

If a student must travel alone to the city because of a special circumstance, such as meeting family or friends, or taking a music lesson, parents must contact the CITYterm office to grant explicit permission.