Section 3.06.01: Field Expenses and Transportation Responsibilities
Field-Related Expenses We recognize that students will have expenses related to fieldwork. These could include immunizations/vaccinations or tests that may be required by the fieldwork site, possibly criminal background checks, health insurance, liability insurance, gas, parking, or additional vehicle insurance if the student's personally owned vehicle is used for fieldwork. Fieldwork sites are strongly encouraged to reimburse the student for expenses related to fieldwork. For example, if field site staff is reimbursed for travel, it is expected that the student will benefit from the same fieldwork site policies. However, many field sites have limits to what they can provide for reimbursement for field-related activities. It is highly encouraged that this be discussed during the interview process between the fieldwork site and the student.
Transportation Responsibilities of the Student Transportation to and from the field placement is the responsibility of the student. A large majority of the field sites offer services that are community-based and many of the field sites require the use of a vehicle for field activities. This means that many field placements require students to have a car to perform field placement related tasks such as community outreach, home visits, community work, attending meetings, etc., so if possible we encourage students to have a valid driver’s license, as this increases the number of field sites available for placement opportunities. Many field opportunities are located in the larger urban areas (such as Detroit or Lansing). Students without cars may need to compromise their field interests and preferences to a lack of transportation. All students are encouraged to utilize the ssw.marketplace@umich.eduto advertise for carpool availability.
Students with only occasional need for their own transportation for field activities might consider getting a Zipcar membership through U-M. Please see the Zipcar website under "For Universities".