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Registration

Sign up for all Outdoor Pursuits courses and adventure activities in person at the Outdoor Pursuits Office located in the Rec Center, EG-10. Your B-Number is required at the time of registration for all students, faculty and staff for both credit courses and non-credit activities.

Credit classes (OUT)

Outdoor Pursuits credit classes involve weekend field trips and/or overnight experiences.  All participants are required to register in person so that they have the best understanding of the time, lifestyle and personal commitment involved.

All courses have an additional fee that covers travel, group gear, equipment purchases, equipment repair, support staffing, permits and camping fees, as well as food and lodging in most cases.

How to register for an OUT course: 

• READ the online course description on BU Brain and review any pre-requisites needed.
• Be sure the weekend meeting times fit into your schedule in addition to the regular class sessions.
• Review course policies.
• Review refund and cancellation policies. A $30 non-refundable is charged via Student Accounts.
• Email outdoors@binghamton.edu. Fill out the Google form to petition a course. We will reply with availability.
• If there is an opening, Outdoor Pursuits will respond with a secure online payment link.
• Once payment is confirmed, names will be submitted for registration.
• If there is no availability at the time, we will automatically add your name to the wait list unless you note otherwise.

NOTE: Fees and drop/add deadlines associated with mini courses are subjected to earlier deadlines than those of full semester courses. There is a $30 NON-REFUNDABLE deposit due at the time of registration to secure your seat in the course.

Payment
All major credit cards, cash and checks made payable to ßÙßÇÂþ»­ are all acceptable forms of payment. Full payment is due by the Add Deadline (second week of the semester) or the first day of classes, whichever comes first. After that, names will be forward to Student Accounts for delinquency. Classes are filled on a first-come, first served basis. 

Drop, Add & Petitions
In many cases, Outdoor Pursuits courses have drop/add deadlines that differ from the University Registrar's deadlines because these are mini-courses. Make sure you know the specific dates that the Outdoor Pursuits courses begin and end. Check our website for the mandatory weekend trips. Students may add a course any time before the course begins!

Registration begins with the Advance Registration period WITHOUT preference given to class standing. Registration continues until the class is full. A waiting list is generated as needed. True class enrollment is NOT necessarily reflected accurately on the Registrar's BU Brain website as the Outdoor Pursuits Office maintains the course roster.

To drop an OUT course, students MUST notify both the Outdoor Pursuits office at (607) 777-6414 and the Registrar's office (via BU Brain). No course drop is complete until you have spoken in person to the Outdoor Pursuits director.

If you fail to attend a course for which you are registered, you will NOT be refunded any of the course fees and will have to incur late drop fees accessed by the Registrar's office.

If you need to drop a course due to medical reasons, documentation from a physician will be required. You will be charged a pro-rated fee to cover classes attended.

Our courses involve activities that can be affected by weather and other environmental conditions. Outdoor Pursuits will not give refunds for class delays, course or curriculum changes resulting from adverse weather conditions.

Refunds & Cancellations
Balances of the course fee are only refundable if cancellation takes place 14 days in advance of the course; for documented medical reasons; or withdrawal/departure from the University, prior to the start of the class.

If it is determined that a student does not have the pre-requisite ability (e.g. not a strong swimmer, fitness level below average) to participate safely in a course, the balance of the course fee will be refunded.

Those who act in an unsafe manner — whether physical or emotional — and pose a danger to themselves or others or who seriously impair the class' ability to achieve the objectives of the course will be removed from any course without refund.

Credit Course Policies Attendance & Grading
OUT courses are mini-courses and have very strict attendance policies so as to meet the University requirements for credit hours. Outdoor Pursuits does not have the capacity to offer make-ups. Research papers do not replicate the performance of an activity or demonstrate skill and will not be accepted.

Outdoor Pursuits requires that students attend the first class meeting because of the critical logistics, policy and safety information that will be covered. If you do not show up for the first class, you lose your right to retain your spot on the roster and we may enroll another student in your place.

Students are expected to be on time, dressed appropriately, and be properly prepared with the necessary supplies (lunches, water, raingear, etc.) for their courses. 

Although many of the OUT courses are graded as Pass/Fail, merely attending classes and field trips will not guarantee a passing mark. Students are expected to contribute to class presentations, observe safety procedures as outlined by the staff, demonstrate an acceptable level of skill proficiency, and complete all assignments by designated deadlines.

Because OUT courses involve participation in activities that require a progression of skill and group cooperation, your absence has a negative effect on safety and the class dynamic. Thus, if a student misses more than one class or a significant part of the progression that is deemed essential, the student will not be allowed to continue in the course due to risk management considerations.

Equipment Needed
Group gear for OUT courses is provided unless otherwise noted. Typically, participants are provided with tents, tarps, packs, stoves, cooking gear, canoes, kayaks, paddles, helmets and PFDs. A complete personal equipment list is provided at the first class meeting.

Transportation
Transportation is provided in a 15-passenger van, except for English Horsemanship. All students are expected to ride to and from classes and activities in the designated vehicle.

Minors
Non-ßÙßÇÂþ»­ students under the age of 18 are not eligible to participate in Outdoor Pursuits activities unless special programming is being offered.

Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking/Cell Phones/iPods
ßÙßÇÂþ»­ Outdoor Pursuits provides wellness-based courses and activities. The use of unprescribed drugs, alcohol and tobacco during our programming is strictly prohibited. The use of cell phones and other personal electronics during class time is also prohibited.

Conduct Policy
The Outdoor Pursuits program expects that all students will participate voluntarily, will arrive sober and will be prepared to put forth their best effort, try new activities, work and travel as part of a group and follow instructions, especially where safety is an issue.

Those who act in an unsafe manner&²Ô²ú²õ±è;— whether physical or emotional&²Ô²ú²õ±è;— and pose a danger to themselves or others will be removed from the course or outing. Those who use alcohol or drugs will be asked to leave the course or outing. Removal from a course or activity in progress for any of the above reasons will result in the loss of any fees and a charge for evacuation.

Activities & Workshops

ßÙßÇÂþ»­ Outdoor Pursuits' (BOP) programs are open to all ßÙßÇÂþ»­ undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff. Nominal fees are charged to help defray costs of special services. Faculty, staff and non-students may be charged slightly higher fees. 

How to register for an outdoor adventure activity

ßÙßÇÂþ»­ Outdoor Pursuits recommends signing up for programs early since group sizes are limited for environmental and safety reasons, as well as for educational purposes. Sign-up and full payment for any program by the indicated deadline secures a place in the program.

Participation in Outdoor Pursuits is voluntary, and individuals participate at their own risk. All participants are reminded that they are responsible for their own insurance coverage and must be prepared to take care of their own medical expenses.

Activity and Workshop Size
As part of our environmental ethic and for safety and educational purposes, many of our groups are limited to 12 participants. In some cases, our group sizes are smaller because of public use regulations and permits for backcountry travel. Our goal is to provide our students with the highest quality experience while ensuring safety and minimum environmental impact.

Equipment Needed
For half-day and full-day outings, participants are expected to dress appropriately for the weather and bring water bottles, snacks or a lunch. For multi-day trips, a complete personal equipment list is provided at the first trip meeting. Group gear for Outdoor Pursuits programs is provided unless otherwise noted. Typically, participants are provided with tents, tarps, packs, stoves, cooking gear, canoes, kayaks, paddles and PFDs.

Transportation
Transportation is provided in a 15-passenger van. All students are expected to ride to and from classes and activities in the designated vehicle.

Drugs/Alcohol/Smoking
ßÙßÇÂþ»­ Outdoor Pursuits provides wellness-based courses and activities. As such, the use of unprescribed drugs, alcohol and tobacco during our programming is strictly prohibited. Those who use alcohol or drugs, will be asked to leave the activity or outing. 

Minors
Non-ßÙßÇÂþ»­ students under the age of 18 are not eligible to participate in Outdoor Pursuits activities unless special programming is being provided.

Conduct Policy
The Outdoor Pursuits program expects that all students will participate voluntarily, will arrive sober and will be prepared to put forth their best effort, try new activities, work and travel as part of a group and follow instructions, especially where safety is an issue.

Those who act in an unsafe manner — whether physical or emotional — and pose a danger to themselves or others or who seriously impair a group's ability to achieve the objectives of the outing will be removed from the activity or outing without refund. Removal from an outing or activity in progress for any of the above reasons will result in the loss of any fees and a charge for evacuation.