Official Honors Case Study Challenge Rules and Regulations
1. No purchase necessary to enter or to win. A purchase will not increase your odds of winning. All federal, state, local and municipal laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited.
2. Eligibility. The Honors Case Study Challenge is open to Phi Theta Kappa members (as of February 26, 2010), who are 18 years or older (as of April 9, 2010), and are enrolled in an accredited educational institution. Employees of USA TODAY, Gannett Co., Inc., Phi Theta Kappa, and each of their respective affiliated companies, subsidiaries, advertising or promotional agencies, and other agents, and the immediate family members of, and any persons domiciled with such employees, are not eligible.
3. Entry. The Honors Case Study Challenge begins on July 6, 2009, and all entries must be received via e-mail at tria.cohen@ptk.org, at Phi Theta Kappa by 5:00 p.m. (CST), February 26, 2010. Entries may be submitted either as chapter or individual entries. Entries must be submitted in Microsoft Word format and must be accompanied by a properly completed entry template. Each entry must in some way be related to the Phi Theta Kappa Honors Study Topic, , The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges, and Consequences and include the following: a one-page (maximum 500 words) case study summary, three to five discussion questions, up to six suggestions for additional resources and an essay (maximum 200 words) on future implications of the topic.
Using the selection criteria described below, Phi Theta Kappa will select and send the top four entries to USA TODAY.
Selection Criteria:- Case studies will be judged on originality, subject matter, issue of importance and classroom relevance.
- Topics must be of relevant nature to today's news and based on Phi Theta Kappa Honors Study Topic, The Paradox of Affluence: Choices, Challenges, and Consequences. USA TODAY and Phi Theta Kappa will not be responsible for incomplete, lost, late, misdirected or illegible entries, transmission failures or technical failures of any kind, including, without limitation, malfunctioning of any network, hardware or software, whether originating with sender or Sponsor. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any entries by persons determined to be tampering with or abusing any aspect of the Challenge.
4. Prizes and Odds. Four prizes of $500 will be awarded to the persons or chapters submitting entries and judged by Phi Theta Kappa to be the four best Case Studies based on the selection criteria described above. Prize money will be paid either to the chapter (to the attention of the chapter advisor) or to an individual depending upon the submission. Odds of winning depend upon the number and quality of eligible entries received. Entrants agree that Sponsor may rely on the characterization of the entry as an individual entry or a chapter submitted entry, and any disputes regarding the characterization of an entry or the division of any prize award shall be decided solely by the chapter advisor, and USA TODAY shall have no liability in connection with any such dispute.
5. Winner Notification and Acceptance. Winners will be announced at the Convention in Orlando, FL, April 9, 2010. Challenge participants need not be present to win. Winners not attending will be notified by email on or about April 26, 2010. Return of prize notification as undeliverable may result in disqualification and an alternate winner may be selected. Winners may waive their right to receive prizes. Prizes are non-assignable and non-transferable. No substitutions allowed. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute prizes of equal or greater value. Winners are solely responsible for reporting and payment of any taxes on prizes. Winners may be required to complete an affidavit of eligibility, and a liability and publicity release (except where prohibited by law), which must be returned within ten days of date of postmark. Failure to sign and return the affidavit or release within ten days, or to comply with any term or condition of these Official Rules, may result in a winner's disqualification, the forfeiture of his or her interest in the prize, and the award of the prize to an alternate winner.
6. Participation. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the judges. In consideration of entrants' participation, entrants further agree that all Case Studies become the property of USA TODAY, and that no entries will be returned. USA TODAY shall own all rights, including all copyright rights in and to the Case Studies submitted by Sponsor, and Sponsor may use, publish, reproduce, distribute and perform all Case Studies in any media and manner throughout the world without further compensation. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify persons found tampering with or otherwise abusing any aspect of this contest as solely determined by Sponsor.
7. Limitations of Liability. By entering the Challenge, entrant agrees that (1) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Challenge, or any prizes awarded, shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action, and entrant waives his or her right to a jury trial for such disputes, claims, and causes of action; (2) any claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, including costs associated with entering the Challenge, but in no event attorneys' fees; and (3) under no circumstances will any entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and entrant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages and any and all rights to have damages multiplied or otherwise increased and any other damages, other than damages for actual out-of-pocket expenses.
8. Construction. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of any contestant and Sponsor, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions (whether of New York, or any other jurisdiction) that would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than New York. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. If any such provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, these rules shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the valid or enforceable provision was not contained therein.
9. General Release. By entering the Challenge, contestants release USA TODAY, Gannett Co., Inc., Phi Theta Kappa, any other promotional sponsors, and each of their respective affiliated companies, directors, officers, employees, representatives, partners and agents from any liability whatsoever for any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Challenge or with the acceptance, possession or use of any prize (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to, loss or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light).
10. Sponsor. The Honors Case Study Challenge is sponsored by USA TODAY and Phi Theta Kappa whose decisions regarding the selection of winners and all other aspects of the Challenge shall be final and binding in all respects. Sponsor will not be responsible for typographical, printing or other inadvertent errors in these Official Rules or in other materials relating to the Challenge. If you have any questions regarding this Challenge, please contact Phi Theta Kappa at 1625 Eastover Drive, Jackson, MS 39211, 601-984-3515.
