NIU competition participations, performance trips, field trips, conducted tours and various non-conducted student activities (sometimes organized by private individuals and external entities) are often an aspect in Northern Illinois University multi-faceted programs. Opportunities for travel and participation in student activities are plentiful and Northern Illinois University does not wish to discourage participants from taking reasonable advantage of them. The terms of this Personal Assumption of Risks and Liability Release Agreement are nonetheless required as a condition of participation in the travel and/or activity Program. This Personal Assumption of Risks and Liability Release Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the applicable laws of the State of Illinois. By my signature below, I hereby recognize and acknowledge that neither the Board of Trustees of Northern Illinois University nor its Recreation and Wellness Department carries special health and/or hospital insurance for any injuries or loss I many experience while training, practicing, traveling, or participating in the sport or special activity listed below. Players/participants are specifically required to maintain personal medical insurance as a condition for participation in this listed sport or special activity. I declare that I have personal medical insurance through the NIU Student Health Insurance Plan or another health insurance plan. Further, I hereby declare that I recognize the inherent and reasonably foreseeable personal safety, bodily injury, death, and property loss risks in training, practicing, traveling and participating in Intramural Sports/Sport Club/Special Event activities at Northern Illinois University, which by my signature below I hereby voluntarily assume. I acknowledge Northern Illinois University is an element of Illinois State government and it undertakes no direct legal or financial responsibility for my personal safety or well-being when I am training, practicing, traveling or participating in Northern Illinois University programs or activities. By my signature below, in the absence of gross negligence, I hereby agree to assume those risks in this Program or Activity, that may cause me personal property damage or loss, personal medical or hospital costs, personal illness or bodily injury, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, or death, future economic impairment and other consequential losses that may arise during and/or as a result of my participation in this Program or Activity. By my signature below, in the absence of gross negligence, I along with my heirs, executors, administrators, employers, agents, representatives, insurers, and attorneys hereby release Northern Illinois University, its Board of Trustees, any NIU department, administrative unit, cooperating student organization or external educational institution and their respective officers, employees and agents from any and all claims and causes of action for my personal property damage or loss, personal medical or hospital costs, personal illness or bodily injury, including pain and suffering, emotional distress, or death, personal economic impairment, and other consequential losses that may arise during and/or as a result of my participation in the Program or Activity conducted by or under the control of a unit of Northern Illinois University or cooperating student organization or external educational institution in which I may participate under this Personal Assumption of Risks and Liability Release Agreement.