Student Conduct
Boston University reserves the right to remove a student from the program if, in the determination of University staff, a student’s continued enrollment would create a risk to the health and safety of the student or others, or if the student refuses to cooperate with efforts deemed necessary by the University to evaluate the student. Students are prohibited from engaging in conduct, on or off campus, which poses a threat to the health or safety of persons or property or interferes with the rights or well-being of others.
In addition, program participants are prohibited from engaging in conduct (on or off campus) that violates 1) program policies; 2) any provision of the Code of Student Responsibilities; 3) the Boston University Acceptable Use of Computing Services Policy; 4) the Residence License Agreement; 5) any rule/regulation of the University; or 6) any other applicable law.
A partial list of program rules and guidelines regarding student conduct can be found below. The full set of guidelines will be shared with admitted students in your offer of admission and must be agreed to in full when enrolling in the program.
Note: No refund or reduction in the total charge, tuition, or service fees will be made for a student who arrives to the program late, leaves the program early, or is dismissed from the program for violating any program rules designated in the Program Rules and Guidelines, by your course instructor, or by the Boston University Summer Term Pre-College Programs staff.
Tolerance of others
A fundamental goal of Summer Term Pre-College Programs is to foster a community environment based upon mutual respect and openness. Therefore, any form of discrimination, including but not limited to discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status, constitutes unacceptable behavior.
Respecting the rights of other students presupposes that in the close and diverse society of Boston University (BU), student expression of opinion will be respectful of others and will be exercised in good taste and decency. Bigotry, hatred, and intolerance have no place in the BU community. In displaying or distributing expressions of opinion, students are expected to show respect for the aesthetic, social, moral, and religious feelings of others upon whom their views may be imposed. Students are entitled to expect that those with whom they interact will demonstrate tolerance for diversity and respect for privacy.
Attendance
Because our programs are short and intensive, consistent attendance is required. Each program includes a limited number of approved absences for legitimate reasons such as illness, medical appointments, or other emergencies.
- Summer Challenge: Up to 2 approved absences
- AIM: Up to 3 approved absences
- RISE Internship & Practicum: Up to 3 consecutive or 5 total approved absences
- High School Honors: Students must follow the attendance policy outlined by their instructors
Absences that fall outside of these allowances or are not approved—such as choosing not to attend—are considered unexcused. Students who exceed the absence limit for any reason, including unexcused absences, may be dismissed or released from the program.
In case of illness, the student must contact the program assistant on-call and the program assistant will bring the student to Boston University’s Student Health Services center. Students are not allowed to visit the Student Health Services center without a program assistant and cannot skip class without being evaluated by a medical professional.
Academic Integrity
All students are expected to maintain high standards of academic honesty and integrity. This means that all student work is expected to be solely completed by the program participant. It is the responsibility of every student to be aware of the Academic Conduct Code’s contents and to abide by its provisions as outlined here. We expect participants to act respectfully and appropriately during all learning sessions.
Curfew
All of our programs have a curfew. All residential students must check in with their assigned program assistant at 11 pm, Sunday through Thursday, and at 12 am on Friday and Saturday. Students who are late for curfew will face disciplinary action and may be sent home. There are no exceptions to the curfew.
Once students have checked in for curfew, they may not leave the building but are free to gather with friends in the common areas. Students may also visit other floors that align with their gender; boys may visit other boys’ floors, and girls may visit other girls’ floors. Boys are not allowed on the girls’ floors at any time, and girls’ are not allowed on boys’ floors at any time. Students who violate this rule are subject to dismissal.
Students may gather until 1 am Sunday through Thursday and 2 am on Friday and Saturday. At that time, all students must be in their assigned dorm rooms with the lights off.
Drugs and alcohol
The possession or use of illicit drugs, alcohol, drug paraphernalia, tobacco/nicotine products, or prescription medication without a valid prescription in strictly prohibited during the program, including, but not limited to, in the dorms, on campus, or at any program-sponsored activity. These substances may not be consumed at any time during the program. There are no exceptions.
Students may not purchase, assist others in obtaining, use, possess, or be in the presence of alcohol, tobacco/nicotine, or prescription medication not prescribed to them. Attending gatherings where alcohol or drugs are present, even without using them, is prohibited and may result in immediate dismissal from the program.
If a student encounters a situation where alcohol or other drugs are present, they are expected to leave immediately and notify a program staff member. Students who seek medical assistance for others due to alcohol or drug use will not face disciplinary action for doing so, but must also notify our staff as soon as safely possible. Conversely, students who do not report the presence of alcohol or drugs, are subject to disciplinary action and will be dismissed.
Decisions on incidents involving illicit drugs and alcohol are at the discretion of the Boston University Summer Term Pre-College Programs staff.
Smoking is prohibited during our program and in all University student residences. Additionally, any device such as hookah pipes, shisha pipes, bongs, e-cigarettes (also known as vapes) or any type of water pipe, or any object filled with water through which smoke is drawn is also prohibited.
More information
More information about Boston University rules and policies can be found online at the Boston University Lifebook. Please note that all Summer Term Pre-College Programs’ rules, policies, disciplinary and dismissal processes supercede those outlined in the BU Lifebook where they differ. Removal from housing for violations of University rules and regulations will lead to removal from the Pre-College Programs and may also result in additional disciplinary action.
