Additional Rules for Pre-College Program Students

In order to promote the well-being of students, and to provide a safe and peaceful environment for learning, social activities, and personal growth, the following policies apply to all Harvard Pre-College Program students.

Students enrolled in Harvard Summer School courses are held to a high standard of behavior. They are expected to be familiar with and abide by all relevant rules and policies as set forth in the Harvard Summer School Student Handbook and the Summer School website. Violation of these policies may lead to disciplinary action, which could include the requirement to withdraw from the Summer School. If you have any questions about these policies, contact a proctor, a resident dean, the assistant director or program director.

Course Expectations. Pre-College courses meet in person for three hours each weekday. Students must attend and participate in every class in its entirety, submit all assignments on time and perform at a satisfactory level to receive a passing grade of “Met all requirements” (AR).

In some cases, Pre-College courses may meet via live web conference Students should bring a desktop or laptop with a camera and headphones to campus with them. Courses with guest speakers may require the use of a computer. For some courses, a laptop is required to participate in person as well, so check specific course prerequisites. Please refer to technology requirements for courses for computer specifications.

Students are expected to treat web-conference class meetings as if attending class on campus, which includes behaving professionally, treating others with courtesy and respect, refraining from using profanity or socially offensive language as well as wearing appropriate clothing and avoiding inappropriate surroundings. Students may not join a class or activity while driving or riding in a car. Students are expected to join from a suitable, quiet location, with a device that permits full participation in the class activities.

Many courses include activities that cannot adequately be performed on a mobile device. Please see Student Responsibilities for more information.

Passport Activities and Orientation. Pre-College Program students are required to sign-up, attend and get their “passport” stamped at two events in each of the following categories: Academic Exploration, College Readiness, Social and Residential Activities, and Trips and Recreation. Students may not change activities without prior approval of the program administration. Some of these programs may be virtual and some may be in-person. In addition, students are expected to attend the virtual Family Orientation and in-person student orientation sessions and tours.

Expectations for Online Behavior. Some orientation and Passport activities are only offered online. In all your online interactions, we expect you to behave with appropriate decorum and maturity, to treat others with dignity and respect, and to avoid language and behavior that could be construed as denigrating, bullying, shaming, and the like.

Any such language or behavior you observe may be reported to your resident dean or to the Office of Student Affairs.

Please review the Harvard Summer School Guidelines for Online Learning and Guidelines for Online Meetings & Events.

Honesty. The Summer School expects that students will be honest and forthcoming in their dealings with the members of the Harvard community and all others. Students are expected to provide accurate information on applications, forms, and online processes, and to answer truthfully and completely questions put to them by a properly identified official of the University, and by officials of institutions, such as hospitals; by officials of municipal, state, and federal governments; and by police and other first responders. Failure to adhere to these expectations may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to the requirement to withdraw from the Summer School. Please also see our policies on Academic Integrity

Alcohol and Drugs. Alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, and prescription drugs for which the student does not have a prescription are not allowed in the Pre-College residences at any time. Pre-College Program students may not procure, assist others to procure, use, possess, or be in the presence of alcohol, illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, or prescription drugs for which the student does not have a prescription. They may not drink alcoholic beverages at restaurants or private venues, nor may they be in bars or the bar areas of restaurants. They may not attend parties or other gatherings where alcohol is served, whether on or off campus, even if they do not drink. Pre-College Program students found to be present at a gathering where alcohol or other drugs are being used are subject to dismissal from the program, regardless of whether or not they have been using alcohol or other drugs.

In cases involving Pre-College Program students and alcohol or other drugs, a subcommittee of the Administrative Board may impose disciplinary sanctions, which in some circumstances could include the requirement to withdraw from the Summer School.

The Pre-College Program maintains a “Do the Smart Thing” policy on alcohol and other drugs, and students are expected to do the smart thing when it comes to these dangerous and illegal substances. Students encountering a gathering at which alcohol or other drugs are present must leave immediately and seek the assistance of a proctor or resident dean. Help should be sought for any sick or incapacitated student, no matter the cause. Neither the student(s) who seek(s) medical assistance for alcohol or other drug use, nor the student(s) for whom assistance is sought, will be subject to disciplinary action. The Summer School may refer such students for educational intervention regarding alcohol or other drug abuse.

On the other hand, any Pre-College Program student who fails to speak up about the presence of alcohol or other drugs or fails to seek assistance for a sick or incapacitated student, is subject to disciplinary action, which could include the requirement to withdraw from the Summer School.

Pre-College Program students required to withdraw for disciplinary reasons must leave campus as soon as safe travel home can be arranged. They receive a grade of RQ (required to withdraw) for their course(s) and do not receive a refund of any Summer School fees. Such a serious disciplinary action is reportable on college applications by the student and the University (in accordance with FERPA).

Room Move-In and Bed Selection. All Harvard Pre-College Program students are required to live on-campus, as this is a residential program. Pre-College Program students are expected to wait until all roommates have arrived before deciding who settles in which bedroom and sleeps in which bed. This provides an early opportunity for roommates to establish a pattern of working together constructively. Students should seek guidance from their proctor if they ever need help resolving a dispute of any kind. Pre-College Program students are expected to sleep in the bedrooms assigned to them.

Visitors and Guests. Pre-College Program students who wish to have visitors must obtain the prior consent of their roommates and proctor. Visitors are limited to currently enrolled students in the Harvard Summer School Pre-College or Secondary School Program. Visitors in any suite may not number more than two per student assigned to the suite. Overnight guests are not allowed in the Harvard Pre-College Program. The host assumes full responsibility for the conduct of the visitor. After 11pm curfew, visitors are limited to students within each Proctor group. Overnight guests are not allowed in the Harvard Pre-College Program.

College-Age or Older Persons. Pre-College Program students may not visit dormitories or other lodgings (including without limitation Houses and House courtyards and all off -campus housing), or social clubs of college-age or older persons; nor may they entertain college-age or older persons in their Pre-College Program residences. They may not attend parties with college-age or older persons.

Curfew. Students observe a curfew of 11 pm every night. Curfew ends at 7 am. Check-in for curfew is held every night. During the hours of curfew, students must remain in their own entryway or hallway; basements are off-limits. For those who check-in early, all curfew policies apply after early check-in.

Overnight Absence. Pre-College Program students may not be away from campus overnight. Curfew will not be altered to accommodate your schedule, so please plan accordingly.

Day Travel. When planning a day trip, Pre-College Program students who intend to travel outside of the Boston or Cambridge area must obtain written permission from the program administration at least 24 hours in advance of the planned day trip. Parent/Guardians must submit a request via an online form. In addition, students who wish to ride in a private vehicle other than with their parent or guardian must obtain written permission from the program administration in advance. Students should discuss using ride-share apps with their parent/guardian. Curfew will not be altered to accommodate your schedule, so please plan accordingly.

Concerts & Events. Students may attend non-Harvard-sponsored, off-campus concerts, performances, or large sporting events but must obtain written permission from the program administration at least 24 hours in advance and return by curfew. Parent/Guardians must submit a request via an online form.

Motor Vehicles. Since the Pre-College program is a residential program, students are discouraged from bringing a vehicle to campus.

a. As a driver, Pre-College Program students may not operate an automobile, motorcycle, motor scooter, or any other motorized vehicle without the written approval of the program administration.

b. As passenger, Pre-College Program students may not ride in or on any motorized vehicle operated by a person under the age of 25 without the written approval of the program administration.

Bullying, teasing, pranking, playing tricks on others—these behaviors can cause harm. Such acts violate the spirit and the letter of the tenets of Summer School policies on Student Conduct. In your interactions with others, be straightforward, honest, and supportive.

Health. Your health is important to you and to the Harvard community. Know and observe Harvard health-related policies, get plenty of sleep, stay hydrated, and eat sensibly. Keep your health insurance card with you at all times.

Smoking and Vaping. Smoking in any form is not permitted either on or off campus. Use or possession of tobacco, including snuff, chewing tobacco, and e-cigarettes (vaporizers), and use or possession of any product associated with tobacco and e-cigarettes, is prohibited. This prohibition includes pipes, matches, and lighters.

Gambling. Gambling in any form, either on or off campus, is prohibited.

Weapons. Weapons of any kind, for any reason, are prohibited.