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Current News | Administrative Policies | Subscribe / Unsubscribe | Non-profit Status | Student Assembly ADMINISTRATIVE POLICIES |
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Agama Yoga is a growing and expanding spiritual organization, offering its students greater opportunities for authentic Yoga studies, immersion workshops and retreats, and Teacher Training Courses. To organize ourselves more efficiently for the largest course attendance figures in our history thus far and larger student body generally, we have implemented new administrative policies at various points over the last several years. Posted below is a transparent and current summary of these policies. They were updated and revised by the management team during spring of 2010, amended further and approved by the Agama Yoga Foundation members acting as the Agama Board of Directors, and subjected to peer review by the Student Council. We feel confident that proper respect was given to divergent viewpoints on topics that were more complex or far-reaching, and that by listening earnestly, the policies that emerged are fair, representational, and progressive. These guidelines are posted here so that you may be generally and well informed of the administrative parameters of school operations prior to your arrival on Koh Phangan, and so that you may better coordinate your needs with regard to your studies. Please read carefully these announcements! Last revised July, 2010, and posted 1 July, 2010
SECTION I: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE Agama Yoga School (AYS) is an independent, self-supporting and self regulating not-for-profit organization. Its aim is to provide a complete, long-term Yoga teaching program. It will engage the services of the Trustees of the Agama Yoga Foundation, the Departmental Managers, various supported staff positions, and visiting workshop lecturers and workshop presenters at rates and on terms agreed upon by the Board of Directors. As a not-for-profit entity, it will publish its annual financial statement of income and expenditures. The Agama Yoga Foundation is a private Foundation with Swami Vivekananda, Claudiu Trandafir, and Mihaiela Pentiuc as the sole Trustees. The primary objective of the Foundation is to support the Agama Yoga School by providing guidance in all spiritual matters. The Foundation will also guide the development and selection of teaching materials, teachers, and the leaders of workshops and retreats. Other objectives of the Foundation are to create books and other media materials relevant to the aims and the mission of the Foundation, to establish Agama Yoga Schools and Yoga Centers around the world, and to develop a comprehensive center of health and healing. Any profit from the publishing of books and other media materials will eventually become a source of financial support for the Foundation members. Currently, Agama Yoga School manages book publishing and sales, and retains any profits. The Agama Yoga Board of Directors consists of the Agama Yoga Foundation Trustees and the General Manager of Agama Yoga School. The Board will provide the overall direction to the AYS, but will not be involved with the day-to-day operations. The Board will aim to meet twice per year or as necessary. Decisions made by the Board of Directors are subject to a democratic vote. Non-present members are encouraged to vote on all issues in absentia, but may elect to abstain. General Manager of Agama Yoga School The General Manager (GM) is appointed by the Agama Yoga Foundation and is responsible for the organization of the Agama Yoga School and the management of its operations including all of its staff, resources and facilities. The General Manager meets with Swami Vivekananda to report progress and to receive spiritual guidance and insight. Before August, the General Manager will present the Annual Plan and the Annual Operating Budget for the ensuing year to the Foundation. The Annual Plan will outline all proposed activities of AYS including classes and workshops, retreats and other events, and the acquisition of new facilities and equipment, specifying the resources needed including people, space and materials. The Annual Operating Budget will detail the revenue and expenses associated with activities, maintenance and renewal costs. The General Manager will meet by invitation or of his own initiative with the Agama community in an open assembly to present new initiatives, to present modifications to the activities and policies, and to hold general Question & Answer sessions with the aim of a transparent and interactive management style. Department Managers of Agama Yoga School The Agama Yoga Board of Directors engages and dismisses Department Managers on consideration of recommendations made by the General Manager. The Department Managers recommend personnel for all other staff and volunteer positions to the General Manager, who approves personnel for these positions. The Department Managers manage the day-to-day operations outlined in their individual job descriptions within the guidelines of the Administrative Policies and within their departmental budgets. Since 1 January, 2010, Department Managers are contracted on an annual basis with written terms of agreement that specify financial compensation and expectations of service. Application for positions must be made in writing directly to the General Manager. Annually from June to July, all Department Manager and supported (Coordinator-level) positions will be open for application for upcoming terms by any student who has reached Course Level 8. Candidates will be chosen for open positions by the Agama Board of Directors by 1 August each year. Additionally, the Board of Directors may – without restrictions – invite select students to positions of supported service. Volunteerism is in keeping with the spiritual aims of Agama Yoga School, and all students are encouraged to volunteer their time and skills to the operation of AYS in a selfless manner. In addition to supporting an environment for all to learn and to grow, service helps to keep costs down, and subsequently, school fees. Agama Yoga School Administrative Policies The day-to-day operations of Agama Yoga School are guided by comprehensive Administrative Policies. The Administrative Policies will be reviewed annually. The process shall begin in April and be completed by 15 June. Initially the General Manager will review the current Administrative Policies with the Departmental Managers. Based on recommendations of the Departmental Managers, the GM will decide on all new policy issues and on any changes to the current Administrative Policies statement. The updated Administrative Policies will then be presented to the Board of Directors for approval. Once approved, the updated Administrative Policies will be presented to the Agama community for review and comment on its contents in an open meeting with all community members and management. The General Manager will take advice from the community into consideration, discussing again with the Department Managers, and, if changes are made, a new draft of the Administrative Policies will be written and presented to the Board of Directors for final approval. Issues arising that are not addressed within the Administrative Policies are resolved at the sole discretion of the General Manager. The General Manager has the sole right to grant exceptions to any aspect of the Administrative Policies. In his absence, he transfers this authority to the Internal Operations Department Manager. Structure of the Agama Yoga School Teaching Program The teaching program consists of four-week cycles divided into the following categories:
In order to progress to the next category of the teaching program, a student must successfully pass an exam signified by the bestowing of a sash. Specifically, since 1 January, 2010, to enter the Orange Sash Category that begins with Level 4, the Red Sash Exam must be passed. To enter the Yellow Sash Category that begins with Level 9, the Orange Sash Exam must be passed, etc. All exams will be held both before and after the course for which they are prerequisite. For those who fail their needed exam, a grace period of one course level only will be extended, after which time they may retake the exam. In addition, students arriving directly from overseas may join their intended course level without having passed the required exam as long as they take and pass it at the end of the course. Note: Currently enrolled students may not take the one-month grace period, and will forfeit their course progress by skipping this exam. Exceptional exams will not be arranged. Any registration fees paid prior to a skipped or failed exam that prevents enrollment will be returned. Sash exams must be taken sequentially and in full. Courses offered during the following calendar year will be posted on the notice board and on the Agama Yoga School website by 15 March of the current year. Specific class times and venues will be posted on the notice boards at least one week in advance. Each student’s education consists of up to seven course levels of the teaching program per year. During the remainder of the calendar year, students may further their education by attending workshops and retreats, and they may repeat, without fees, any level which they have already studied. The stipulation of seven maximum levels of education applies to any combination of course levels, whether studied at Agama’s Koh Phangan Headquarters or at one or several international branches in the same calendar year. An exception exists for TTC participants who in the season of their TTC are allowed to study up to nine levels (due to the inclusion of five course levels in the TTC; this applies to Winter TTC only). A minimum of 75 percent attendance (nine of 12 classes for Levels 2 and 3, six of eight classes for Level 4 through Level 24) is required in order to progress to the next course level. As an exception, First Level Intensive students may begin Level 2 having completed only 13 of 24 days of the course, but they must continue their First Level Intensive studies in conjunction with Level 2 classes. To officially complete the First Level Intensive and receive a certificate of achievement, a student must have attended at least 18 of 24 days in full. An exemption is granted for Agama retreat participants who are extended a 65 percent attendance standard (eight of 12 classes for Levels 2 and 3, five of eight classes for Level 4 and up) so they may participate in Agama retreats without sacrificing their standing in the curriculum. At least two of the missed classes must occur during the retreat. As a result of the attendance standard, students wishing to join Level 2 and up may not join courses after the first class of week 2 has begun. Attendance is defined as participation in the video teachings or lecture segments, presence for initiations, and full Hatha Yoga practice with the class. Exceptions to participation in, or presence during, the Hatha Yoga practice for medical conditions can be made by teachers at their discretion. Missed Classes and Initiations Students must recover missed course teachings and initiations. No special classes or initiations will be held for individual students within the scheduled curriculum. If a student misses a class during the level for which he or she is currently registered, the teacher will demonstrate the missed asana or technique to the student. However, the video teachings will only be shown, and initiations only held, during class hours under a teacher’s supervision at their appointed times. No lecture CDs will be loaned out. It is the responsibility of the pupil to observe the course program and to know when the lecture is being shown again. Pending available staffing, permission for private teachings for Levels 2 and up may be granted by the Teaching Department Manager, at a rate of 1,500 Baht per individual class per student, according to an overview of involved criteria including the availability of appropriate level teaching staff and hall availability. This option is intended primarily to assist students who missed one class too many in their current level of study to recover missed lessons so that they may progress to the next course level. This option is not intended to force the opening of new course levels. Classes must be arranged through the Agama Teaching Department and paid, in advance, either on the website, agamayoga.com, or in person at the Agama Welcome and Registration Office (at Ananda Resort) during any open office hours. Fee is per class per student; there are no reduced fees for two or several students who join together for the same private class. Hatha Yoga sessions are mandatory, along with the lecture or video, in order to verify that asanas and techniques are being practiced and assimilated properly. Course papers are included in the course fees. For students who pay fully and in advance for any course level, course books will be provided which contain all of the course papers for that level (A5 format). Since Red Sash Category (Levels 1-3) classes may be paid for on an individual basis, course papers may not be given for classes that have not been attended. An exception is granted for First Level Intensive students who missed part of the month and would like to buy two sets of papers for each instructional week during which they were present in the course. The fee for one extra set of course papers is 50 Baht. The fee for course books is 200 Baht for Level 1 and 100 Baht for all others. Students must have previously and completely attended the corresponding class or course level in order to purchase course papers or course books, with the exception of the First Level Intensive as noted. Students are expected to honor the teachings in the course papers and are not allowed to share them with others or to disseminate them in any way unless they have specific permission from AYS. Skipping Course Levels/Taking Multiple Course Levels Students may not skip course levels or take multiple new course levels simultaneously. This applies to private teachings as well as to regularly scheduled classes. The only exception to this rule applies to First Level Intensive students who have attended a minimum of 13 days. They may study Level 2, but must concurrently complete the First Level Intensive. Audio or video recordings of all course teachings, evening lectures, Q&A sessions, and workshop presentations are not permitted. In addition, it is not permitted to photograph or video record any material in workshops or retreats. First Level Intensive lectures (with the exception of the Laya Yoga and Brahmacharya lectures) and inspirational talks from retreats may be audio recorded, in addition to lectures presented by Claudiu Trandafir. SECTION III: REGISTRATION AND FEES First Level Intensive, Level 2, and Level 3 First Level Intensive, Level 2, and Level 3 students may register for classes daily, on a weekly basis, or monthly by registering on our website, agamayoga.com, or in person at the Agama Welcome and Registration Office (at Ananda Resort) during any open office hours. Students of Levels 1-3 are encouraged to sign up on a monthly basis; an A5 book of course notes is included only with full payment made in advance for the entire course. All course fees must be paid in full before a student may continue to the next course level. This applies even in cases where course attendance was not complete but met allowable minimums. A student’s first day of instruction in the First Level Intensive Course is free. All students must fill out a Student Profile and Liability Release in full prior to their first free class of the First Level Intensive. See Addendum A (Student Profile and Liability Release - 2010) for a preview of this form. Please be aware that our Yoga hall can accommodate only a limited number of students. During peak season, certain special conditions may apply, such as a one-week minimum for paid attendance or, on especially popular days, more advanced students may not be able to freely repeat classes. Beginning 1 January, 2011, course fees will be raised to 400 Baht per day for the First Level Intensive during the months of January, February, and March (high season). In all remaining months, course fees will remain 300 Baht per day for the First Level Intensive. Effective 1 January, 2011, Level 2 and 3 courses will change to 350 Baht per day, paid daily, and will remain 3,600 Baht per course cycle if paid in advance. For those First Level Intensive Course students who pay for at least six days of teaching in advance, a 10 percent discount is granted. See Addendum B (Registration at a Glance - 2010) for a summary of all registration policies. Registration for Level 4 and up is available on the website at agamayoga.com. Alternatively, students may register in person at the Agama Welcome and Registration Office (at Ananda Resort) during any open office hours. Late registration begins on the Saturday preceding new courses and continues through all of week 1. A late fee of 300 Baht will be charged for all late registration. The student will be issued a receipt of late payment that must be submitted to the teacher prior to class attendance. A student arriving directly from overseas exceptionally is allowed to attend one class without having paid; by the second class, he or she must present a receipt showing proof of payment to the teacher. The course fees for Levels 4 through 24 are 4,000 Baht, paid in full on a monthly basis. There is no partial registration. Teachers do not handle payments for their classes. Registration for the Chakra Tapas Program may be made on the website, agamayoga.com, or in person at the Agama Welcome and Registration Office (at Ananda Resort) during any open office hours. The fee for the Chakra Tapas Program is 7,000 Baht. The fee must be paid in full prior to commencement. This fee applies to all students as well as both active and non-active teachers and managers. Students who wish to join the Advanced Teachings (eligibility begins after completion of Level 24) must be personally approved by Swami Vivekananda. Please apply to the Agama Teaching Department at least two weeks in advance: teaching@agamayoga.com. Registration for the Advanced Teachings may be made on the website, agamayoga.com, or in person at the Agama Welcome and Registration Office (at Ananda Resort) during any open office hours. The fee for Advanced Teachings is 3,000 Baht per course cycle (classes may be added at 750 Baht per class). The fee must be paid in full per course cycle. This fee applies to all students as well as inactive teachers. Agama Yoga Teacher Training Course Registration for the Agama Yoga Teacher Training Course (ATTC) takes place via online application. We hold two courses per year with a maximum of 24 participants per course. The fee, including a €200 deposit, is €2,400. The deposit will be returned if an applicant is not accepted to the program. If accepted, the applicant will need to pay the remainder of tuition by one month prior to the start of the course date. See website for payment deadlines. For withdrawal after the payment deadline until seven days prior to the start of the ATTC, 50 percent of tuition minus deposit will be refunded. There is no refund after this point. Previous completion of the First Level Intensive Course entitles an ATTC participant to a €100 discount. The fee includes complimentary participation in the five-day Tantra 1 Workshop that immediately follows each ATTC. A student who does not choose to join the workshop that follows his or her ATTC has forfeited this opportunity. This offer is not exchangeable with any other workshop, retreat, or course program, and may not be rescheduled for a later date. A student who has been accepted to the Agama Yoga TTC may withdraw by email notification. If the notification of the intention to withdraw is received at least two months prior to the first day of the ATTC applied for, half of the deposit (€100) will be returned. Students withdrawing after this deadline will not receive any refund of their deposit. An evaluation of each student will be made at the end of the first 30 days of the ATTC. If Agama Yoga School decides after the first month that a student is not fit to become a teacher in its tradition, AYS will refund two-thirds of the tuition fees (for a total of €1,466 / €1,400 with prior First Level attendance). No other refunds will be given. If students do not pass the final exam, they may retake the test, and, in the case of a second failure, may participate in a future ATTC at a reduced cost of 50 percent of the course fee, therefore, at a rate of €1,200. Students who have not participated in the ATTC may not become Agama Yoga School teachers unless specifically invited. Hridaya Meditation and Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course Registration for the Hridaya Meditation and Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course (HTTC) takes place via online application for one course per year (24 participants per course). The fee, including a €200 deposit, is €2,100. Applicants must agree to be contacted for an interview if necessary (by video chat or Skype, for example). The deposit will be returned if an applicant is not accepted to the program. If accepted, the applicant will need to pay the remainder of tuition by one month prior to the start date of the course. See website for payment deadlines. For withdrawal after the payment deadline until seven days prior to the start of the HTTC, 50 percent of tuition minus deposit will be refunded. There is no refund after this point. Previous completion of the First Level Intensive Course entitles an HTTC participant to a €100 discount. A student who has been accepted to the Hridaya Meditation TTC may withdraw by email notification. If the notification of the intention to withdraw is received at least two months prior to the first day of the HTTC applied for, half of the deposit (€100) will be returned. Students withdrawing after this deadline will not receive any refund of their deposit. An evaluation of each student will be made at the end of the first 30 days of the HTTC. If Claudiu Trandafir decides after the first month that a student is not fit to become a teacher in this tradition, AYS will refund two-thirds of the tuition fees (for a total of €1,266 / €1,200 with prior First Level attendance). No other refunds will be given. If students do not pass the final exam, they may retake the test, and, in the case of a second failure, may participate in a future HTTC at a reduced cost of 50 percent of the course fee, therefore, at a rate of €1,050. Children 11 years old and younger may attend Yoga classes free of charge as long as they are accompanied by an adult and they do not disrupt the class. Children 12 years old and up must pay full price. For those under the age of 12, permission to attend each course level beyond the First Level Intensive Course must be granted by Swami Vivekananda on an individual basis. For those under the age of 18, attendance of workshops and retreats requires either approval in advance by a teacher of Level 5 or up on an individual basis or co-attendance by a parent or guardian. Registration for Agama Yoga workshops is available on our website, agamayoga.com, or in person at the Agama Welcome and Registration Office (at Ananda Resort) during any open office hours. All workshop participants who are new to Agama must fill out a Student Profile and Liability Release prior to joining the course. See Addendum A (Student Profile and Liability Release - 2010) for a preview of this form. In the week prior to each workshop, an introductory session will be held during which the workshop leader will provide an overview of the workshop’s syllabus, goals, methodology, etc. plus an opportunity for Q&A. Late registration will take place during the 30 minutes just prior to the beginning of a workshop. There is a fee of 300 Baht for any late registration made on the first day of a workshop. All workshop fees must be paid in full by the end of the first day. Workshop fees are 7,000 Baht. As of 1 January, 2011, the fee for workshops will increase to 8,000 Baht – the first increase in seven years. Payments may be accepted in Euros at current daily conversion rates (using xe.com). For reattendance of a workshop, the fee is 2,000 Baht for a regular student and 1,000 Baht for an active teacher, regardless of where in the world the participant first attended the Agama Yoga workshop, and whether or not the course was held for a shorter duration at that time. For teachers, teaching schedule obligations take priority over workshop reattendance. The attendance and reattendance fees include full participation, although a participant may elect to attend only selected parts of the workshop. No partial or daily fees will be accepted. A student attending multiple Agama Yoga workshops within one calendar year (January to December) is entitled to a discount of 20 percent off the price of a second workshop and all subsequent workshops within the same calendar year. This discount does not apply to online payments, independent workshops held by guest presenters, or to reattendance of workshops. A workshop which does not meet the minimum enrollment of 12 paid attendees may be canceled by the General Manager. Any person who wishes to hold an independent workshop as a guest presenter (who is not an Agama Yoga Foundation member or invitational faculty member) in a Yoga hall or elsewhere on AYS property must first submit a written proposal to the General Manager for approval. Proposals should be made by April of the teaching season preceding the intended event, and may be submitted by email. Proposals must include
If approved, the person sponsoring the workshop will be required to sign a statement agreeing to appropriate rules of behavior such as no nudity or sexual contact in the Yoga halls, no physically dangerous activities, and to end activities daily by 21:45. In addition, a contract must be signed by both the sponsor and the Internal Operations Manager detailing a mutual understanding of the agreed-upon dates, timing, and location for the workshop, as well as the attendance fee. Registration for independent workshops is available on our website, agamayoga.com, or in person at the Agama Welcome and Registration Office (at Ananda Resort) during any open office hours. All independent workshop participants who are new to Agama must fill out a Student Profile and Liability Release prior to joining the course. See Addendum A (Student Profile and Liability Release - 2010) for a preview of this form. Late registration will take place during the 30 minutes just prior to the beginning of a workshop. There is a fee of 300 Baht for any late registration made on the first day of a workshop. All independent workshop fees must be paid in full by the end of the first day. The fee for workshops is to be determined with the workshop presenter and will be shared equally between the presenter and AYS. The attendance fees include full participation, although a participant may elect to attend only selected parts of the workshop. No partial or daily fees will be accepted. A workshop which does not meet the minimum enrollment of 12 paid attendees may be canceled by the General Manager. Retreat fees are 3,000 Baht, to be paid in full prior to the beginning of a retreat. As of 1 January, 2011, retreat fees will increase to 3,500 Baht – the first increase in seven years. No partial payments or partial attendance will be accepted unless granted on an individual basis by the retreat leader. A discount of 500 Baht will be granted to those participants who have attended at least one prior Agama Yoga School retreat within the current calendar year and who pay in cash. Registration for retreats is available in advance on our website, agamayoga.com, in person at the Agama Welcome and Registration Office (at Ananda Resort) during any open office hours, or during the retreat registration and introductory session. All attendees must be present at this session, regardless of whether paid in advance or not, which is held on the day before the retreat in the retreat hall; check event calendar for time. Rules and guidelines for attendance will be introduced at that time. All retreat participants who are new to Agama must fill out a Student Profile and Liability Release prior to joining the course. See Addendum A (Student Profile and Liability Release - 2010) for a preview of this form. Fees for courses, lectures, and workshops are set by the General Manager, within guidelines approved by the Agama Yoga Foundation. Course fees are subject to an annual adjustment for inflationary pressure. Course fees will be announced in June alongside the new Administrative Policies. Except for the TTC, all fees are listed in Thai Baht. All fees can be paid in Euros online or in person at the Registration Office using the daily exchange rate from xe.com. No refunds of fees will be given for Level 4 and up courses, workshops, or retreats once the first session has begun. Exceptions will be made only in cases of emergencies (with substantiation such as a hospital bill or similar item of verification). For First Level Intensive Course, Level 2, and Level 3 students, individual classes paid for in advance – but not yet held – may be refunded. Students who have registered for a course, but who failed to pass the sash exam which serves as a prerequisite for that course, will have their registration fees refunded. Fees for courses, workshops, and retreats may not be taken on any credit or debit note system. All fees must be paid in full by the close of registration. No fees from one course, workshop, or retreat may be applied as credit toward another course, workshop, or retreat. Agama Yoga School does not turn away the financially destitute who are dedicated to spiritual evolution. The Foundation may grant free or discounted admission to any course, workshop, or retreat after written application followed by a personal interview. Email applications are permissible. Agama Yoga School retreats and Yoga Course Levels 1 through 14 are free for those who have a Thai national ID card or passport. Agama Yoga Teachers’ Registration An Agama Yoga teacher is considered to have “active status” if he or she is currently teaching a minimum of two classes per week average (at the Agama Koh Phangan Center only). The only exception occurs in a grace period of one course cycle following four course levels of teaching, during which an active teacher remains active and enjoys the benefits of active status. SECTION IV: AGAMA YOGA SCHOOL PROPERTY Activities on Agama Yoga School Property All activities held on AYS property must have prior approval by the General Manager. Liability on Agama Yoga Premises Any person participating in any event, class, course, workshop, or retreat held on Agama Yoga School property or the property of its agents or affiliates must fill out a Student Profile and Liability Release Form (see Addendum A). Agama Yoga takes no responsibility for property loss, accidents, bodily injury up to and including death, or damage to person or property that occur on AYS premises. We do recommend that students who are traveling internationally purchase travel insurance for their own protection in cases of accidents, injuries or other medical scenarios. Numerous options are available both online (for immediate enrollment) and in your home countries. Agama Yoga School additionally wishes to note to our students that we take no responsibility for any student-to-student event held on AYS premises by contracted agreement. Each student-to-student event sponsor is responsible for maintaining a safe atmosphere for students and caring for the well being of event participants to all reasonable limits. We also take no responsibility for the conditions or outcome of informal gatherings without permission on AYS property. Any currently enrolled Agama Yoga School student who has completed at least the First Level Intensive Course and who wishes to hold an event in a Yoga hall or elsewhere on AYS property must first submit a written proposal to the General Manager for approval. Proposals may be submitted by email. Proposals must include:
Proposals must be submitted to the General Manager at least 14 days prior to the event. If approved, the person sponsoring the event will be required to sign a statement agreeing to appropriate rules of behavior such as no nudity or sexual contact in the Yoga halls, no physically dangerous activities, and considerate closing times. Sponsors must agree to clean up after their activities and to care for AYS property while hosting their events. In addition, a contract must be signed by both the sponsor and the Internal Operations Manager detailing a mutual understanding of an agreed upon date, time, and place for the event, as well as the stated rental fee. The fee must be paid in advance at the time of the signing of the contract. No changes to venue or fee may be made by AYS once the contract is signed, and once signed, no refund will be granted to the sponsor of the event should they reconsider their proposal. See Addendum C – Extracurricular Event Agreement. For scheduling, the Internal Operations Manager must be contacted at least 10 days prior to the requested date for the event, and the contract must be signed at least seven days in advance of the event to allow for posting. Priority will be given in the order received. Sponsors are responsible for posting notices of their events at least seven days in advance The fee for Yoga hall rental for each extracurricular event is 350 Baht per day regardless of whether or not fees or donations are collected by the sponsors. The fee remains 350 Baht per day without consideration for the length of time allotted for the event. Agama Yoga waives hall rental fees for strictly nonprofit groups and events (for example, Kashmiri Shaivism study groups, purely educational initiatives, etc). Such nonprofit events must go through the same approvals process as all other extracurricular student-to-student events and the organizer must sign a hall use agreement as well. Student organizers of nonprofit-status events may not promote any products for sale, services for hire, businesses, or commercial opportunities during their events. In addition, they may not solicit or accept donations. Individuals may not vend, leaflet, or verbally promote products for sale, services for hire, or events inside the Yoga halls, unless such activities are part of an approved student-sponsored event for which hall rental fees were paid. Students with products to sell may approach the Yogishop management - entirely separate from the Agama administration - which can provide details about vending arrangements. Agama Yoga official sponsored parties allow food vending by interested and qualified students. A vendor may offer food or beverage products to partygoers from a staging area located outside of the Yoga halls only. The vendor must first apply for approval to the General Manager at least one week prior to the event. Upon approval - and prior to the event - the vendor must pay a 300 Baht per-event fee for food vending privileges, plus an additional 300 Baht deposit, to the Agama Events Coordinator. If the vendor adequately cleans up all cups, plates, garbage, supplies, and food-related items, etc. following the event, the deposit will be returned. Multiple vendors for the same event must share the duties and responsibilities required for the return of their deposits. If the Events Coordinator determines that cleaning was not adequate, no vendor will have their deposit returned. Vending fees will be retained by the Events Team for use toward future Agama Yoga events. The Agama Yoga Library is located at Shakti Hall, Srithanu Campus. A 500-Baht deposit is required annually in order to check out materials, but is returned upon a student’s departure and return of all materials on loan. A new deposit is required as of 1 December each year. If a student leaves the island without returning materials or requesting the return of the deposit, it will become a donation toward future new Library requisitions as of 30 November each year. Currently enrolled Agama Yoga School students and teachers only may check out materials. See Agama notice boards for current hours of operation. For more details, see Addendum D – Agama Yoga Library Guidelines (2010). Participation in Agama Yoga Specialized Groups for Men and Women Only currently enrolled men and women in Course Levels 2 and up may participate in Vira Groups, Shakti Groups, and/or events sponsored by these groups. Exceptions may be granted by Foundation members only. All activities on AYS property, particularly the playing of loud music, must be completed by 21:45 at all campuses. Agama Yoga parties or sponsored events may have extended hours in some cases. Student-to-student events must end by 21:45. No Disturbance of Classes in Session When the red light on the exterior of the Yoga hall is turned on, no one is allowed to enter the hall. Department Managers may enter if absolutely necessary, but they are to use their best discretion. No nudity or sexual activity is allowed on Agama Yoga School property. No cigarettes, alcohol, or recreational drugs are allowed on Agama Yoga School property. No food is allowed inside the Yoga halls. Students are not allowed to occupy the steps of the bungalows at Ananda Resort. Mobile phones must be switched off or on silent when inside the Yoga halls. Agama Yoga School reserves the right to refuse entry or attendance of any person to classes, retreats, workshops, and other events. Agama Yoga School Management to Community Information regarding events and activities will be posted on the campus notice boards at least seven days in advance. Barring exceptional circumstances, no event time or venue will be changed without at least seven days’ notice to the community by posting on the notice boards. Agama Yoga Staff and Teacher Contact Hours It is kindly requested that students do not contact teachers or staff between the hours of 21:00 and 9:00. No student shall be asked to divulge confidential medical information. Should a student elect to share private health information, the information will remain strictly confidential and will not be shared with others in any way. A medical liability waiver must be signed by all who attend classes, workshops, and retreats on Agama Yoga School property. Health information – in particular, information regarding sexually transmitted infections – is available at the Agama Healing Center. Student office hour appointments with Foundation members shall be scheduled by a Foundation member’s personal assistant. No more than one appointment may be scheduled within a two-month period. Additionally, students must choose one advisor per teaching season, which means that students may not make appointments with both Swami Vivekananda and Claudiu Trandafir during the same teaching season. |