Safety

National Emergencies & Travel Warnings 

• Each student is registered with the U.S. Consulate in Marseille, depending on their program. Registration at the U.S. Consulate makes the student’s whereabouts known and makes it possible for a consular officer to contact the student in an emergency.
• Students are invited to follow ACM-IAU social media channels prior to arrival on-site. News, updates, and travel recommendations made by the U.S. State Department are posted here as well as sent to students via email when appropriate.
• In case of emergency, ACM-IAU staff initiate a student check-in using email, phone, social media, and on-site contacts to confirm the safety and location of each ACM-IAU student. This information is communicated regularly to both university partners and emergency contacts until each student has been accounted for and/or the emergency has been resolved.
• When public announcements concerning American citizens are received from the U.S. Consulate, students are informed by email and/or SMS texting, and the announcement is also posted on bulletin boards throughout ACM-IAU buildings.
• ACM-IAU is registered with the United States Department of State listserv advisory service which communicates country-specific travel advisories as well as information of concern to American citizens abroad. Public announcements are immediately communicated to all On-Site Directors and Deans for communication to students.
• In the event of a local, national, or international emergency, the Institute follows the instructions issued by the U.S. State Department and the French government authorities.

Incident Response

ACM-IAU is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy educational and work environment in which all members of the ACM-IAU community are supported by any and all Institutional resources in responding to any acts of violence and/or assault. ACM-IAU has no tolerance for any acts of violence, sexual or otherwise, either within the educational community or as a consequence of altercations involving members of the ACM-IAU community, whether linked with ACM-IAU programs and activities or not. Swift action and response will follow should the staff be alerted of ACM-IAU community members having been victims or assailants in any assault or physical altercation.

• Upon reception of complaints regarding any violence or assault either within ACM-IAU facilities, ACM-IAU host families, or elsewhere, the Director of Student Life, as a licensed mental health professional, will conduct an interview with all involved parties, writing a report of the information gathered and submitting to the VP of Student Affairs. 
• Simultaneously, if warranted, the Student Affairs Office will contact local authorities to report the incident to ensure that altercations are handled within the legal framework of local sanctions.
• Should the incident involve ACM-IAU students, the appropriate sending universities will be notified by the Student Affairs Office.
• If the student is a minor, their parents will also be notified. If the student is 18 years or older, the Student Affairs Office will notify the parents only with the student’s consent.

Student Safety On-Site & While Traveling 

• Photocopies of student passports and visas are kept on file at ACM-IAU and are accessible to appropriate staff in the U.S. and abroad.
• Each student is expected to keep in their possession an ACM-IAU identification card which lists the telephone numbers of the College, and the French national numbers for emergency medical help.
• Safety matters are discussed during on-site orientation at the start of each term with particular attention given to any behaviors or areas of town which should be avoided, use of public telephones, and accessing emergency services for police and medical assistance.
• Before departing on any non-ACM-IAU travel during the weekend or vacation periods, students are required to “sign out” with ACM-IAU personnel by submitting an online form with their expected destination, contact numbers if possible, and expected date of return. This information is available to appropriate U.S. and French staff.
• ACM-IAU staff maintains up-to-date lists of emergency contact information for both parents/guardians as well as home institution advisors for each student as provided in their initial application to ACM-IAU.
• Each On-Site Director and Dean is furnished with a mobile phone that is accessible 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, to facilitate communication at any time in emergency situations.
• Faculty and staff who accompany students off-site are also equipped with mobile phones.
• Pre-arrival materials advise students to observe basic common sense and reasonable prudence with respect to personal behavior and preventive medicine while abroad. Students are discouraged from engaging in high-risk leisure activities while abroad. Periodic reminders are issued throughout the semester from Deans and On-Site Directors.
• Pre-arrival materials include a liability release form signed by each student to make them aware of the determinant role which their personal conduct may play in avoiding risk.
• WSA Travel: ACM-IAU is part of the WSA network which provides students with safe travel options abroad (perhaps have this both on the Health & Safety page and the current Travel Logistics page)

Sexual Harassment & Discrimination

ACM-IAU is firmly committed to intellectual honesty, freedom of inquiry and expression, and respect for the dignity of each individual. Acts of discrimination or intimidation are inconsistent with this commitment and will not be tolerated. Prohibited acts include harassment and intimidation motivated by discriminatory intent based on race, national origin, sex, handicap or disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ancestry, belief, or genetic information. Any such harassment or intimidation of or by a student or host family should be referred to the dean of student affairs. Similarly, acts of sexual harassment will not be tolerated. ACM-IAU students will receive sexual and cultural training as part of their orientation.