Program Policies

COVID-19 Policy
Participant’s health and well-being is Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies’ top priority. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies will be following all Stanford University COVID-19 related policies and procedures. All policies are subject to change before and during the program;. please continue to monitor this website and email communications for important updates. Stanford University policies are available here and COVID policies for minors are here. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies will notify a participant’s Designated Adult if the participant tests positive so they can be picked up from campus within 48 hours. Participants will be required to take a rapid antigen test if they become symptomatic during the program. Additional information about the COVID-19 testing prior to arrival can be found earlier in the Participant Guide.

In the event of any emergency, or if the Student tests positive for COVID-19, the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) are the Student’s primary emergency contact(s).

Designated Adult Policy
Should a participant test positive for COVID-19 or another emergency takes place during the program, Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies will contact a parent, legal guardian, or other designated adult who can pick the participant up from campus within forty-eight (48) hours. This person must be over the age of eighteen (18) and should be accessible for the entire program duration.

Participants will be asked to list their Designated Adult in the CampDoc portal.

Refund Policy
Parent/legal guardian is responsible for paying the full amount of tuition for the Program, less any financial aid awarded. Parent/legal guardian acknowledges that his/her responsibility to pay the full amount of tuition due under this Agreement is unconditional and applies whether or not Student completes the Program. Parent's/legal guardian's failure to pay any amount of tuition when due pursuant to the terms of this Agreement may, at Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies' sole discretion, result in Student being prevented from participating in the Program.

Parent/legal guardian understands and agrees that, in the event Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies suspends, dismisses, or otherwise removes Student for any reason, or if Student withdraws voluntarily or involuntarily, parent/legal guardian remains obligated to pay the full amount of tuition and fees due under this Agreement, and the Program will retain all tuition and fees paid by parent/legal Guardian. Parent/legal Guardian therefore agrees that parent/legal guardian is not entitled to any refund and is obligated to pay Pre-Collegiate Studies for the full amount of tuition, regardless of whether Student completes the Program, Student is dismissed, or otherwise removed for any of reason, or Student withdraws voluntarily or involuntarily, for all or any portion of the Program as liquidated damages and assumes full responsibility for payment.

Pronto
All participants and Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff will have access to Pronto, which is a group messaging platform. This platform is intended to build community and keep participants up to date on important program matters. All users are expected to engage with each other in a respectful, civil manner. Use of the platform to bully, harass, or haze will not be tolerated. The Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Code of Conduct applies to all digital platforms.

Pronto Norms and Expectations

Code of Conduct

All Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies participants are expected to abide by the following Code of Conduct.

Participants are expected to adhere to the highest standards of good citizenship, honesty, and integrity in their academic work and in their personal conduct. This includes demonstrating good citizenship during interactions, and we encourage participants to take meaningful action if they witness violations of this standard, including reporting violations to Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies personnel.
Participants are expected to show courtesy and respect for their fellow participants, for Stanford University personnel, and for Stanford University visitors.
Participants are expected to use language in a manner that is appropriate for a healthy learning environment. Obscene, derogatory, and abusive language is prohibited.
Participants are expected to dress appropriately for an academic learning environment, and in a manner that reflects positively on themselves, Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Summer Programs, and Stanford University.
Participants shall not take part in or facilitate discrimination of any kind, including, but not limited to, discrimination based on categories of culture, socioeconomic background, race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, intelligence, and life experience.
Participants are expected to show respect for and take reasonable care of Stanford University property, including course materials, online instances of software owned by Stanford, and any other distributed program materials. This includes not sharing Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies course or student life materials with people outside of the SPCS community; do not share SPCS materials with people outside SPCS, whether directly or anywhere online, and seek advice from your instructor or a staff member if you have questions.
Participants shall not use, possess, or distribute alcohol, tobacco, vape pens/e-cigarettes, or drugs (with the exception of prescription and over-the-counter medications approved for use by the participant’s parent/legal guardian) in connection with the program. This includes prior to and during a scheduled program event, or during independent work time. Participation in an incident involving alcohol, tobacco, vape pens/e-cigarettes, or drugs is cause for immediate dismissal, even if the participant did not consume or intend to consume these substances.
Participants are expected to be well behaved and follow the instructions of the program staff, instructional staff, and other Stanford University personnel. Unruly behavior, including causing disruptions at events, will not be tolerated.
Participants shall not commit acts of violence on persons or property, nor shall they threaten to commit any act of violence.
Any behavior that could expose others to a high likelihood of injury or endangerment is prohibited. This includes bullying and misuse of SPCS learning management system tools in a manner that challenges another student's safety.
Participants shall not engage in any form of harassment, bullying, or hazing. Harassment consists of conduct of any type (including but not limited to social media, written, verbal, graphic, or physical conduct) which has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance, or which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning or working environment.
Participants shall not engage in any form of sexual misconduct. Sexual misconduct includes, but is not limited to, sexual harassment; sexual assault; or any conduct with sexual overtones, which has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance or which creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive learning or working environment.
Participants shall uphold high standards of academic integrity through honesty, trust, fairness, and responsibility. Participants are expected to demonstrate a spirit of cooperation and exploration within the academic guidelines provided by their instructors, and to meet the intellectual challenges of the program through honest effort and hard work.
Participants shall abide by all federal, state, and local laws, and Stanford University rules and regulations.

Failure to comply with the Code of Conduct may result in removal from the program, probation, or other disciplinary action, even for first time violations. In all cases, program staff will contact parents/legal guardians to inform them of the participant's behavior and ensure a proper plan is in place for moving forward. Violations of the law may be reported to the Stanford Department of Public Safety in accordance with the Clery Act.

Participant Check-out Policy
Stanford Humanities Institute and Stanford University Mathematics Camp are designed to provide students with an academically rigorous, college-level experience on Stanford campus. Attending all scheduled program activities, including classes, afternoon and weekend activities, and field trips, is a required part of the program experience.

Academic, structured time:
Participants may walk to meals, classes, and afternoon structured activities in small groups or pairs. They cannot walk to class alone. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff conduct a head count at each meal, class, problem-set time, discussion section, or afternoon activity to account for participants and ensure their safety.

Participant check-out policy during unstructured time
Participants spend most of their time in required lectures, discussion sessions, problem set sessions, or activities. A few times a week and on some weekends there is unstructured, free time available to participants. During this time, participants may check-out in pairs to go to the campus bookstore, gym, or a cafe, among other options, within the boundaries of the Campus Drive Loop. Check-outs are only permitted during daylight hours.

Check-outs are a privilege afforded to participants. Participants are expected to abide by program policies and procedures when they check out. All check-outs are subject to approval by residential staff and may not be approved at the discretion of Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff. Failure to follow program policies and procedures may result in the denial of future check-out requests.

Participants agree to abide by the following guidelines and requirements when check-outing during unstructured time:

Participants sign themselves out in pairs during daylight hours when there is unstructured program time. Check-outs cannot interfere with required scheduled program activities. Participants cannot check-out on their own.
All participants must return to their assigned residence from a checkout prior to sunset.
Every participant must sign themselves out and include a working phone number where they can be reached. Participants agree to answer texts or calls by staff at this number.
A participant cannot complete the checkout form on behalf of another participant.
Participants should provide the intended locations they plan to visit while they are checked out. If participants know they will be back late, they must notify residential staff immediately.
If a participant does not return within fifteen minutes of their estimated return time, staff will call them. If the participant does not answer, staff will follow incident protocols, including calling the parent or legal guardian and Campus Safety.
When participants return from their checkout, they must check back in with residential staff so their return is documented.
Participants are prohibited from wandering outside of Campus Drive Loop or leaving Stanford campus.

While checked out on campus, participants cannot:

Ride in any vehicle or ride-share service, including the Marguerite Shuttle
Visit or enter another residence hall, even to visit a friend
Trespass or enter any unauthorized space on Stanford campus
Swim in or go into the water at Lake Lagunita
Intentionally interact with non-program Stanford undergraduate students, Stanford graduate students, faculty, or staff, or other adults in accordance with Stanford University’s Protection of Minors policies

Disciplinary Procedures
By participating in a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program, the participant and the participant’s parent(s)/legal guardian(s) agree to support any necessary inquiry of a violation of the Community Expectations for Participants or the Code of Conduct. Consequences for violating the Community Expectations for Participants or the Code of Conduct may include, but are not limited to, disciplinary actions such as requiring participants to write letters of apology or essays reflecting on the consequences of behavior; reflection meetings, possibly with parents/legal guardians present; probation; and/or immediate dismissal from the program. In all cases, program staff will contact parents/legal guardians to inform them of the participant's behavior and ensure a proper plan is in place for moving forward. Violations of the law may be reported to the Stanford Department of Public Safety in accordance with the Clery Act.

Probation Process
A Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies participant who repeatedly or seriously violates the Community Expectations for Participants or the Code of Conduct—but not enough to warrant immediate dismissal—will be placed on probation for a specified amount of time during the program. Any decision to place a participant on probation requires the approval of Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Professional Staff or their designee. Once a participant has been placed on probation, any further violation subjects the participant to immediate dismissal. Additional consequences may be assigned to the participant if deemed necessary. Once the decision to place a participant on probationary status has been made, both the participant and parent(s)/legal guardian(s) will be notified and will receive a disciplinary letter from the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Professional Staff.

Dismissal and Release Process
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies reserves the right to release a participant from the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program for disciplinary and non-disciplinary reasons if the program believes the participant’s participation in the program will cause harm to, interfere with, or disturb other participants in Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies programs, or if the program believes continued participation in the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program is not in the best interest of the participant or the program. If a participant is dismissed for disciplinary reasons, a tuition refund will not be granted. If a participant is released for non-disciplinary reasons, the parent(s)/legal guardian(s) may be entitled to a partial refund. Any decision to dismiss or release a participant from the program requires the approval of the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Professional Staff or their designee.

Residential Program Policies
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies (SPCS) regards honesty and integrity as vital to the academic, social, and emotional development of all participants and to build trust in a community. Truthful and ethical behavior is an essential component of the learning process. In order to maintain a positive and supportive environment in the community, participants are expected to adhere to both the letter and spirit of Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies rules and Administrative Guide Memo 1.1.1: University Code of Conduct, which include acting respectfully towards all members of the community. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies is part of Stanford University. Please note that, in general, behavioral issues will be addressed within Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies, and not through other Stanford University offices. Exceptions may be made when Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies participants are found to have violated Stanford University rules or policies. Please note that all Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies employees are employees of Stanford University. All employees and participants must abide by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies and Stanford University policies.

The following policies are applicable to all residential Summer 2024 programs. The admitted participant and a parent/legal guardian must review all sections of this page in full before accepting the offer of admission and completing the Enrollment Agreement.

Social Media
Sometimes, personal social media use, including off-hours use, may result in disruption in the program and the program staff may need to get involved. Interactions outside the classroom or program can have a significant impact on individuals and their relationships, to the extent that classes and other activities, which critically rely on a healthy and safe environment in the program community, are disrupted. Participants are expected to participate fully in related conversations, for the safety of the community.

Interactions between minor participants and participants who are eighteen years of age are strictly limited to the live course and completion of coursework. Interactions of any kind on social media between minors and 18+ participants are prohibited.

Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies instructors and staff are not permitted to accept social media connection or “friend” requests from current participants, parents/legal guardians of currently enrolled participants or prospective participants, or any former participants who are under eighteen years of age. To the extent that a Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies instructor interacts with participants and/or parents/legal guardians through social media venues, such as through the program’s video conference system or professional educational sites, the instructor is not responsible for monitoring or reviewing the content or ensuring participants’ compliance with the terms of use of that social media venue.

Generative AI Policy
Generative AI is artificial intelligence that can produce various types of content. For example, ChatGPT can write essays and code. SPCS follows Stanford University’s Office of Community Standards policy regarding generative AI, which states:

Individual course instructors are free to set their own policies regulating the use of generative AI tools in their courses, including allowing or disallowing some or all uses of such tools. Course instructors should set such policies in their course syllabi and clearly communicate such policies to students. Students who are unsure of policies regarding generative AI tools are encouraged to ask their instructors for clarification. Students should acknowledge the use of generative AI and default to disclosing the use of assistance when in doubt.

Absent a clear statement from a course instructor, use of or consultation with generative AI shall be treated analogously to assistance from another person. In particular, using generative AI tools to substantially complete an assignment or exam (e.g. by entering exam or assignment questions) is not permitted. Students should acknowledge the use of generative AI (other than incidental use) and default to disclosing such assistance when in doubt.

Participants should exercise caution when using generative AI and refrain from uploading personal information or confidential data to platforms like ChatGPT.