The Iceland Ways & Links

Williams College Alumni Travel | Participant Agreement Information

As an amenity and service to our Eph community (alumni, parents, families, students, faculty, staff), Williams College and its office of Alumni Engagement sponsor a range of international and domestic travel-study opportunities that reflect the lifelong learning mission of the institution and the intellectual curiosity of our constituents. Whenever possible, Alumni Engagement endeavors to invite a study leader (often a faculty member) to accompany the trip and provide lectures, readings, and other types of learning opportunities. As an optional benefit, constituent travelers have the ability to purchase trip cancellation insurance through USI Travel Insurance Services.

Third-party for-profit tour operators handle all trip arrangements, financial and otherwise, including but not limited to contracting and payments for tour services such as transportation, lodging, meals; collection and handling of traveler payments; and managing and mitigating the associated risks of travel. Williams College and its office of Alumni Engagement do not control or plan the contractual elements of these trips, and any deposits or payments made by constituent travelers reflect a business agreement between the travelers themselves and the third-party tour operator by whom services will be rendered. Trips are subject to change.

By participating in a trip, you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Williams Participant Agreement for Alumni Travel, included in full below.

WAIVER, RELEASE OF CLAIMS, AND INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THIRD-PARTY ALUMNI TRAVEL-STUDY TRIPS  

I, ___________________, am voluntarily entering this Waiver, Release of Claims, and Indemnification Agreement (“Release”) related to my participation in the following third-party Williams College Alumni Travel-Study trip (the “Trip”): ________________________________.

I understand and agree to the following:

1. I have read, understand and agree to the terms and conditions outlined by ____________________, the third party operator of the Trip, (the “Provider”) and understand they are a condition of my participation on the Trip.
2. I also understand that Williams College and its office of Alumni Engagement sponsor a range of international and domestic travel-study opportunities that reflect the lifelong learning mission of the institution, but this does not imply Williams College’s responsibility for any aspects of the operation of the Trip. Travelers are subject to the terms, conditions, and financial obligations as set forth by the tour operator - regardless of the status of Williams sponsorship of the trip.
3. Williams College (a) makes no representations or recommendations to me with respect to the Trip, (b) assumes no responsibility for determining the suitability of the Trip for me or my fitness to participate in the Trip, (c) assumes no obligation to take any steps to ensure my safety during the Trip, and (d) cannot guarantee a refund of fees if I decide or am compelled to reschedule, cancel, withdraw, or leave the Trip for health, safety or any other reasons. 
    
4. I understand that optional trip cancellation insurance is available through third-party vendor USI Travel Insurance Services. This information is provided as a courtesy to travelers, and I am under no obligation to purchase insurance through USI. However, it is highly recommended that all travelers carry some type of international insurance that provides coverage for trip cancellation and interruption; medical expenses abroad; and emergency medical evacuation. Williams College does not reimburse or refund Trip fees.  Any reimbursements, trip credits, or refunds are determined solely by the Trip provider or the third-party insurance vendor, if I have purchased insurance, not Williams College.
    
5. I understand and acknowledge that participation in the Trip may involve risks that may include, but are not limited to, risks involved in and from: traveling to and within, and returning from, one or more foreign countries, including accidents, unsafe conditions, and travel disruption; different political, legal, social, law enforcement, and economic conditions; different standards of design, safety and maintenance of buildings, public places and conveyances; different standards as to the availability and provision of medical care; different weather conditions; and insects, infectious disease, injury, illness, and crime.
    
6. I also understand and acknowledge that while participating in the Trip and traveling abroad I may experience risks and/or differences relating to health systems, cultural expectations, recognition of civil rights, lack of accessibility and accommodations for persons with disabilities, alcohol and drug use, relationships and gender issues. I have made my own inquiry and investigation into such risks and/or differences, and am willing to accept them as a condition of my participation in the Trip. 
    
7. I acknowledge that my participation in the Trip is wholly voluntary. I understand and acknowledge that the College is not in a position to prevent any injury, illness, inconvenience, loss or harm that I may suffer by virtue of participating in it, and I am not relying on the College or any of its employees or agents to do so.
    
8. I understand and acknowledge that Williams College does not administer this Trip, and Williams College does not represent or act as an agent for, and cannot control the acts or omissions of, any provider of services in connection with the Trip, including but not limited to food, lodging, transportation, transfers, connections, or other goods and services.
    
9. I understand that foreign travel carries significantly heightened risks due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and that the United States Department of State has cautioned against all international travel due to the global impact of COVID-19. Risks associated with participation in travel may include, but are not limited to:
10.  
    1. potentially contracting the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus or associated diseases (including without limitation COVID-19);
    2. being placed in indefinite quarantine by the host country upon arrival and/or upon return to the United States or my home country;
    3. being placed in indefinite quarantine and/or subjected to required testing and/or other measures imposed by the host country in the event of exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus or COVID-19;
    4. impacts of restrictions imposed by governmental authorities that may impede conduct of the Trip or related activities;
    5. inability to travel and/or return to the United States or my home country when and how I would prefer; and/or
    6. illness, injury or travel impediments associated with civil unrest resulting from COVID-19 outbreak and/or governmental responses thereto. 
        
11. The foregoing risks may include the possibility that travel restrictions, lockdown, hospitalization or other restrictions may impede plans or result in the cancellation, alteration, or interruption of the Trip; required emergency return on short notice; additional personal expenses for flight changes, new flight arrangements, or other travel expenses. 
     
12. I acknowledge that Williams College is not obligated to provide financial assistance for any required flight changes or other expenses to which I may be subject as a result of the aforementioned or other risks, and that refunds (if any) are determined by the Trip provider and not Williams College. I understand that the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic, the manner in which the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is transmitted, the timing, scope and location of possible surges in outbreaks of COVID-19, and the locations and activities creating risk of contracting the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and/or COVID-19 are not yet fully known, and as a result the foregoing description may not fully identify the risks associated with my participation in the Trip.
     
13. I understand that these and other factors may create direct risks to me including, but not limited to, risks of personal and/or bodily injury, death, loss or damage of personal property, and significant financial expense. I understand that it is my responsibility to evaluate the known risks, and consider the possibility of unknown risks, associated with participation in the Trip, and to not participate in the Trip if I deem the associated risks to be too high. To the extent that I choose to participate in the Trip, I assume all risks inherent thereto, including but not limited to those described above.
     
14. I release Williams College and its trustees, officers, employees, agents, contractors and representatives (the “Released Parties”) from any and all losses, liabilities, claims, demands, actions, suits, causes of action, damages, costs and expenses (collectively, “Claims”) I may have in the future, waive all such Claims, and agree not to sue any or all of the Released Parties for any such Claims, arising out of or in any way associated with my participation in the Trip, including but not limited to any and all travel incident to my participation in the Trip and the negligent acts or omissions of any or all of the Released Parties. 
     
15. In addition, to the fullest extent of the law, I hereby agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Released Parties from any Claims brought by any person or entity in connection with or arising out of my participation in the Trip (including but not limited to any and all travel incident to my participation in the Trip).
     
16. I acknowledge that I have read, understand, and agree to the above statements, and that if I am unable to do so, for whatever reason, I have had them read to me and acknowledge and agree that the individual doing so has read and/or translated the statements truthfully and in their entirety. 
17. I understand and agree that this Release is to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and that if any portion of this Release is held invalid, the remaining terms shall continue in full force and effect. I also acknowledge that I am of the specific legal age in my State of domicile to bind myself to this Release. This Release has been executed on behalf of myself, my heirs and assigns, and has been made with full recognition of possible risks and hazards involved in travel and study away. This instrument has been executed in and shall be interpreted according to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  I  hereby submit to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for all purposes with respect to this Release, and hereby waive any objection to venue therein.
18. By [entering my name / checking the electronic signature box / clicking on the button,] I acknowledge and agree that I am signing this document electronically, and that my electronic signature shall have the same effect as ink signature on paper.  I also certify that the information provided herein is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I further understand and agree that participation on the Trip shall constitute my acceptance of and agreement to this Waiver, Release of Claims, and Indemnification Agreement.