Program Guidelines

Forms

Event request form

W9 form for speakers and performers

Waiver for off-campus trips

Waiver addendum for off-campus trips

Waiver form FAQs

The Center for Chicago Programs helps promote engagement with Chicago. The Center offers logistical support for trips to Chicago for academic related activities, and for bringing Chicago area speakers, artists, and performers to campus.

The following guidelines apply to all course-related events involving trips to Chicago and its nearby suburbs.  These guidelines have a two-fold rationale: (1) to develop in our students good practices of metropolitan citizenship, which include the regular use of public transportation; and (2) to use the most cost-effective means of moving class groups between Lake Forest and the city.

Exceptions to these guidelines are possible only under extraordinary circumstances.  Requests for such exceptions must be made, in writing, to Jennie Larsen, Coordinator of Chicago Programs, Box A9, for approval.

NOTE:  For course-related events that involve bringing Chicago-area speakers and performers to campus, please follow the relevant procedures indicated under Event Requests, Cancellations, and Reimbursements below.  The Center for Chicago Programs can provide honoraria of up to $200, in consultation with the Director.

In order to expedite your plans for class events, please fill out an Event Request form and send it to Jennie Larsen at least 2 weeks in advance.

CANCELLATIONS

If a professor cancels an event that has already been paid for, without notifying Jennie Larsen at least 48 hours in advance, the professor's department will be charged for any cancellation fees incurred. 

REIMBURSEMENTS

In the event of optional field trips, faculty or students may be asked to purchase tickets to avoid unnecessary expenditures. To be reimbursed for these expenses, a receipt must be presented.  All requests for reimbursements must be made to Jennie Larsen no later than 10 days after the date of the event. This presumes an Event Request form has already been submitted 2 weeks in advance. 

If a class requires students to travel to Chicago on their own time for a class assignment, these students will be reimbursed for public transportation and tickets upon presenting receipts. Please note: The Center for Chicago Programs does not reimburse travel by car into the city.

Reimbursements for mileage and parking for professors and students cannot be honored if the Center for Chicago Programs has arranged for transportation from the College.

EVENT/ADMISSION PRICES

The Center will pay for tickets up to $35 per person. 

TRANSPORTATION

METRA & CTA will be the primary source of travel to events in the city. For large classes and/or when distance or time constraints warrant, a school bus may be arranged.

Professors or designated peer teachers must accompany students from events to the METRA station if an event ends after 10:00 P.M.

Jennie Larsen will determine the appropriate mode of transportation.

Lake Forest College MINIVANS and MINIBUS

The College has two minivans, each with a maximum capacity of seven, including the driver.  Class trips that can be accommodated by one or possibly two minivans are eligible to use the Lake Forest College mini-vans. 

The use of Lake Forest College mini-vans and minibus (capacity fifteen, including the driver) depends on availability.  Drivers of the vans must be professors, members of the class with a valid drivers license, or others who have been certified to drive by Lake Forest College. Drivers of the minibus must be faculty or staff members who have been certified to drive by Lake Forest College.