CJI: GENERAL INFORMATION

GENERAL INFORMATION

Housing
Men and women will be housed on separate floors in University of South Carolina suite-style dorms. Men will not be allowed on women's floors and vice versa. Students requesting roommates will have their requests filled if at all possible. Middle school students will be placed in rooms together and will be located near counselor rooms.

The CJI staff will aid in security, and hall counselors will monitor each floor nightly so participants can study and live comfortably with their neighbors.

All students will be required to be in the building by 10 p.m. Room checks after 11 p.m. will assist in keeping track of CJI participants. After room checks, participants will be able to mingle on their floors until midnight, at which time they must be in their rooms. Work areas will be open for students to work and study each evening.

Commuters are welcomed, although they tend to miss out on the overall spirit of the institute. Advisers who book their own hotel room rather than stay in the dorm may also pay the commuter rate. Check back in March for a listing of local hotels.

Food
The only meal included in the CJI tuition is the brunch held during the closing awards ceremony on Sunday. CJI participants are on their own for all other meals. There are more than 15 other restaurants within walking distance of the housing location. Students are encouraged to walk in groups when they go out to eat.

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Transportation
CJI will provide complimentary transportation to and from the Columbia airport, bus station and train station. Any student needing these types of transportation should contact the CJI office (803.777.6284 or schopress@gwm.sc.edu) at least one week prior to the workshop.

For student safety, it is the Institute's policy that students not enter a vehicle while attending CJI unless it is an official university vehicle. Students may purchase a temporary parking permit for $10 for the Columbia Hall or Coliseum parking lot (advisers permits are included in their lodging fee). All cars driven to CJI can be parked either of the designated parking lots. CJI and the University of South Carolina are not responsible for any damage or theft of motor vehicles owned or operated by institute participants. If students need to use their vehicle during the week they must have submitted a parent request to the CJI office before the institute begins.

2008 Institute Schedule

Registration will be from 4 - 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11. CJI will officially begin with an opening session at 6:45 p.m. on Wednesday. evening. The institute will conclude with an awards ceremony from 10 - 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 15.

Students will attend classes in the USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications. Classes will begin each morning at 8:45 a.m. and should be completed by 9:30 p.m. each evening.

Participants will have approximately two hours for lunch and two hours for dinner. Participants are encouraged to walk in groups when outside the hotel.

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Special Circumstances
If any participant has special circumstances the CJI staff should be aware of, please contact our office as soon as possible. Such circumstances include special diets, special medications that must be taken, disability which may need special attention or accommodations, etc. We cannot assure availability of appropriate accommodations without prior notice, preferably by June 1.

Confirmations
Participants will be sent a confirmation letter prior to the opening of the institute. The confirmation letter will include directions to Columbia, a supply list, campus map, registration information and emergency phone numbers where parents/guardians may reach participants during the institute. We will not confirm participants unless all information asked for on the registration form is complete.

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2008 Registration/Cancellation Policy
To register for CJI, complete the online registration. Please note cost information on the application, since different costs are incurred for various sections.

Once your complete registration is received, a confirmation notice will be mailed to you.

The registration early-bird deadline for CJI is Friday, April 25. A nonrefundable deposit of $100 for commuting participants and $150 for participants staying on campus is required by April 25. All registrations after April 25 must be accompanied by the appropriate deposit to be secured. A valid school purchase order may be substituted for this deposit. No credit cards please. The balance must be paid by the beginning of the workshop. Registrations that have not been secured by an appropriate deposit will be cancelled. If a participant cancels a fully-paid registration prior to June 1, he or she will be entitled to a 50 percent refund. No refunds will be made after June 1. If unusual circumstances occur that force you to cancel, contact the institute director immediately.

Students are required to attend their scheduled classes. Instructors will take roll at each session. Excessive absences could result in dismissal from the institute.
Students are not allowed to change assigned dorm rooms without prior approval from their hall counselor. Students must be in the building by 10 p.m., and must be in their rooms at 11 p.m. for room checks. Men are not allowed on the women's floor and vice versa. Violators of the same-gender rule will be sent home immediately.
Students must be considerate of other guests.
Students are prohibited from smoking and from possessing alcohol or other illegal substances while attending the workshop. Violators will be sent home immediately.
Students are responsible for any damage to or loss of CJI property or equipment or USC property that they cause. Students will be charged for such damages.
Students are not allowed to enter any vehicle while attending the institute unless it is an official university vehicle.
Students are responsible for complying with all applicable local, state and federal laws, and the rules and regulations of CJI and the University of South Carolina.
Students violating rules and regulation are subject to immediate dismissal from the institute. If it becomes necessary to dismiss a student, registration fees will not be refunded, and the student will be responsible for the cost of returning home. A letter will be sent to the parent, adviser and school principal explaining the nature of the infraction and the action taken.