Key Policies for Pre-College Program Students

For reasons of health and safety, all 2021 Harvard Summer School courses and activities will be offered online, and we will not be hosting a residential program for high school 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.

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

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. Failure to adhere to these expectations may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to requirement to withdraw from the Summer School. Please also see our policies on Academic Integrity.

Course Expectations. Pre-College courses this summer meets via live web conference. Students must attend and participate at the scheduled meeting time using Zoom. All times are listed in Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Students need to attend every online class in its entirety to receive a passing grade of "Met All Requirements." Only registered students may attend and participate in the class.

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 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.

Students are required to have and use a camera and microphone when attending web-conference class meetings unless otherwise specified by the instructor. Please see Video Course Guidelines for information on preparing to take online Harvard Summer School courses. To remain fully engaged, students should also close browser tabs not required for participating in class.

Many courses include activities that cannot adequately be performed on a mobile device.

Please see Student Responsibilities for more information.

Co-Curricular Activities & Orientation Expectations. Pre-College Program students are required to sign-up and attend at least one academic exploration and one college readiness event, as well as three community engagement meetings with their Resident Directors (RD) over the course of the session. Attending social events and virtual admission sessions is optional but encouraged. Students may not change activities without prior approval of the program administration. In addition, students are expected to attend Family Orientation. All events will be offered virtually and times listed are EDT.

Expectations for Online Behavior. In all of 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 director or to the Summer School Dean of Students Office. Please review the Harvard Summer School Guidelines for Online Learning and Guidelines for Online Meetings & Events.