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Primary use and control of the use of the cave shall reside with the Natural Sciences Department and its chairman and/or designate(s). Permission for the use of the cave may be granted to other departments of the College; to state and federal organizations; to educational institutions such as primary schools, secondary schools, colleges and universities, both private and public; to museums; and to city, county, state and federal agencies, with restrictions and conditions. The College will not grant permission for use of the facility to private organizations, tours, etc., other than the ones mentioned above without being provided extraordinary reasons for doing so. 

Following are the necessary steps that an entity/group must follow to apply for permission to visit and use the site or the cave. These procedures are not intended to imply, nor may anyone infer that the process of applying obligates the College to provide access to any group or entity. Entry into, and use of the property without authorization by anyone other than authorized college personnel shall constitute legal trespass. 

Fax: (352) 395-5881
Email: sture.edvardsson@sfcollege.edu

A.  The following shall be submitted, in writing to the above address no less than 20 working days prior to the date requested. 
    I. a formal request for use of the Bat Cave facilities, including: 
        a) the organization's name and affiliation 
        b) the proposed date and time of visit and use 
        c) the number of participants, 
        d) the name, address and phone/fax number or Email of the responsible contact person and 
    II. An educational justification, outlining specific educational purposes, goals and expected outcomes of the visit/use. 

B.  Upon receipt of the request, the chairman or his designate(s) will indicate permission or denial of the request by letter, fax or Email.  Should the the chairman agree to give permission it will forward to the requestor a copy of the release form. 

C. It will then be incumbent of the group/organization making the request to furnish the College with a set of required materials, to be received in the office, no fewer than five (5) working days prior to the scheduled date of the activity.
The necessary materials include: 
I. An assurance to the College that: 
     a) the number of trip leaders is adequate to insure a safe experience. There must be at least 1 leader/10 participants, but no fewer than two (2). Should any member(s) of the group choose not to go into the cave,  at least one additional  supervising person must remain with the non-caving members; and, 
        b) the trip leaders are qualified by training or experience to lead a field trip through the cave and, 
        c) each participant will have adequate safety gear and clothing, including: head gear (such as hard hats or bicycle helmets); a flashlight; long-sleeved shirts; long pants and close-toed shoes. 

II. Given the potentially hazardous nature of the experience, a signed release form from each participant must be included. 

D.  Final arrangements for the visit will be made between the chairman's office and the contact person.

Failure to follow any of these provisions, or violation of any part of these requirements, including time lines, will result in automatic revocation of permission.