Community Friends Application

Dear Community Friend,

Thank you for your interest in befriending an international student at Rockford University!  Rockford University usually has over 100 international students from several countries. This past semester we had students from Saudi Arabia, Italy, France, Ukraine, Mongolia, China, Spain, Japan, Germany, Sweden, Thailand and India. Community involvement can help these students acclimate to a new culture, grow more proficient in English, and feel supported when they are far from home. In addition, it is a great way to learn about other countries and share goodwill and love around the world.   

We ask families (or individuals) to connect with their students at least twice a month for their first semester, but we encourage them to get together as much as is convenient for both parties. For example, families can invite their student to family dinners, local sightseeing, shopping, holidays and/or just include them in daily activities. A great time to check in with your student is over holidays and breaks when the school cafeteria may be closed. While the initial Community Friend commitment is for a semester, families and students may elect to remain in contact for years.  The goal is to have a Community Friend secured for each individual that wants one upon arrival.

Here are the steps to becoming a Community Friend:

1) We will need the names and email addresses of each household member 18 years of age or older. Additionally, we will need to know if household members have lived out-of-state or changed their names within the last seven years.

2) Each household adult will receive an email invitation Sterling Volunteers. This company has a contract with Rockford University, and they will perform a background check that is free of charge to  you.

3) Submit copies of your homeowner’s (or renter’s) and car insurance.  Rockford University does our due diligence to help ensure the safety of all participants--both students and community members.  

4) Sign a liability waiver (included in this application).

We will contact you when your background check is clear and when we can match you with a student. Again, thank you for your hospitality and willingness to make a difference. Please don’t hesitate to contact Julie Griffith with any questions or concerns.

Julie Griffith

Office of Global Affairs Associate Director

815-394-5118 (office) 815-757-7627 (cell)

jgriffith@rockford.edu 

Uniform Statement of Responsibility, Release and Authorization

To Participate in Community Host Program as a Volunteer Host

I have indicated an interest in acting as a volunteer host for an international student attending Rockford University to take advantage of the benefits of interacting with students from the international community.  However, by signing this form, I also acknowledge that I am doing so on my own volition and at my own risk.

Acknowledgements.  By signing below, I understand and acknowledge that:

• There is no effective means for Rockford University to conduct background checks on international students, and the University makes no representations or warranties that any background check has been conducted.
• These activities are not official University activities and are not supervised or directed by the University, its officers, employees or agents.
• The University is not responsible for the actions of students participating in this program.
• I am not acting as an employee or agent of the University and will not be covered by the University’s insurance so I am responsible for maintaining my own health, property and liability insurance.  I understand that international students are unlikely to carry their own casualty or liability insurance.
• I agree to maintain acceptable standards of conduct while participating in the Community Host Program activities, and I understand and agree that my participation in the Community Host Program may be terminated if I fail to maintain acceptable standards of conduct.
• I will report to the University any behavior of any student that I find to be suspicious, dangerous or offensive.
• I am free to end my participation in the Community Host Program at any time.

 Release, Waiver and Indemnification Agreement.

I hereby agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Rockford University, its officers, employees or agents from and against any claims, demands, actions, losses or causes of action whatsoever arising out of or related to any injury to me or damage to my property while participating in this Host Program whether such claim, demand, action, loss or cause of action results from an act or omission including the negligent acts or omissions of Rockford University, its officers, employees or agents or from some other cause, whether foreseeable or unforeseeable.