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Community Expectations for Participants

All Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies participants are expected to abide by the following Community Expectations for Participants, which is a non-exhaustive list of expected behavior within the scope of participation. By signing the Enrollment Agreement, participants are stating they have read and agree to these expectations. Failure to abide by these expectations can result in disciplinary action including and up to dismissal from the program.
SHI students

Housing and Dining

Appliances and Cooking
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Participants are not allowed to cook in their residence hall room or in common areas of their residence halls. Possession of appliances and cooking equipment such as hot plates, toasters, microwaves, wax burners, electric tea kettles, and refrigerators is prohibited.
Curfew and Lights Out
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All participants must return to their assigned residence hall each night by 8:00pm, or dark, whichever is first, to prepare for their nightly meeting. Lights out will be at 11:00pm each night, when all participants are expected to be in their room. Residential staff will conduct nightly room checks at 11:00pm to ensure compliance with this policy. Use of Pronto, our program-sponsored messaging application, after lights out, is not allowed.
Dining Hall
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Participants are expected to behave with maturity and responsibility when eating at the Stanford University dining halls. It is expected all participants will return their trays, clean up after themselves, and treat dining hall staff with respect. Throwing food is prohibited.
Furniture
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Participants are not allowed to adjust or rearrange furniture in their residence hall rooms or common spaces without explicit permission from the residential staff. Any furniture that is approved to be moved must be returned to its original location prior to Departure Day; a labor fee will be charged to participants if furniture is damaged or not returned to its original location. Large pieces of furniture including but not limited to futons, bean bags, office chairs, mattress toppers, and televisions are prohibited.
Indoor Sports and Recreational Activity
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Playing sports (including but not limited to: rollerblading/skating, bicycle riding, mattress surfing, tag, frisbee, football, basketball, hockey, golf, baseball, or tennis) is prohibited inside the residence halls because of the potential for personal injury, injury to another person, or damage to the facilities.
Pets
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Pets of any kind, including fish, are prohibited in the residence halls. Participants found with a pet in their residence hall room will be required to immediately secure arrangements for the pet off campus. Additionally, participants will be charged a mandatory cleaning fee to bring the room back to standard living conditions, and participants will be held financially responsible for any pet-related damages.
Screens and Windows
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Participants may not remove screens or storm windows from their residence hall or any Stanford building unless there is an emergency. Climbing through windows, sitting on windows, leaning out of windows, climbing on the side of a building, or being on the roof of a building is prohibited.

Safety

Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco
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The consumption, possession, or distribution of alcohol, drugs, and tobacco is prohibited on campus and during Pre-Collegiate Studies Programs. Participation in an incident involving alcohol, drugs, or tobacco is cause for immediate dismissal, even if the participant did not consume or intend to consume these substances. Additionally, any incident involving alcohol or drugs may be referred to the Stanford Department of Public Safety in accordance with the Clery Act.

Prescriptions in labeled containers with the participant's name and date of birth or over-the-counter medications that are approved for use by the participant’s parents or legal guardians are exempted from this policy.
Crosswalks
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Participants must use designated crosswalks when crossing any street on Stanford’s campus or in any other location they visit as part of the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Programs. Participants should always look both ways and cross only when safe to do so. Crossing the street illegally or at undesignated spots is prohibited.
Lanyards
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Participants will be given program lanyards with their names and a place to hold their room key and ID card. Participants should have their lanyards on at all times, including during field trips and activities off campus. Swinging or twirling of lanyards is strongly discouraged.
Pranks
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Participants are not allowed to instigate or participate in pranks targeted toward other program participants, staff, participants of other programs, or any other Stanford University employees or visitors.
Safety Equipment and Fire Hazards
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By law, participants must not tamper with any safety equipment, including but not limited to: fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and smoke detectors. Participants who tamper with equipment can expect to be fined. Fire hazards (including but not limited to: candles, incense, halogen lamps, matches, lighters, torches, barbeque grills, propane cylinders, charcoal, starter fluid, fireworks, explosive devices, and open flames) in or around the residence halls are prohibited.
Transportation
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Participants are not permitted to have motor vehicles on campus or ride in vehicles (e.g., ride shares or taxis) unless they are sponsored by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies. Public transportation may only be used for program-sponsored activity and requires supervision from instructors/residential staff at all times. The use of bikes, motorized vehicles, roller skates, scooters, skateboards, and other forms of personal transportation is prohibited.
Visitors
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Participants are not allowed to entertain personal visitors in their residence hall room or common area, including visitors partaking in another Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program or other programs on campus. No visitors, including participants of the same program, may sleep in a room that is not theirs overnight or in a residence hall common area. If a participant from the same program is in another participant’s room, the door must remain open wide enough at all times for residential staff to see the interior of the room. Participants are discouraged from having gatherings in their residence hall rooms and should make use of the common areas of the residence halls to meet with friends and socialize instead.
Weapons
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Weapons and ammunition of any kind (including but not limited to: knives, firearms, paintball guns, laser pointers, tasers) are prohibited on campus by law. Any student who uses, possesses, distributes, or assists in the acquisition of such a weapon will be subject to immediate removal from the program. Additionally, any incident involving weapons or ammunition may be referred to the Stanford Department of Public Safety in accordance with the Clery Act.

Behavior

Attendance
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Participants are required to be present during each instructional session, group work session, and residential program. Participants are expected to take part in all scheduled activities (e.g., class, guest lectures, co-curricular activities, nightly hall meetings, etc.). Only in special circumstances, and with the approval of a Stanford Pre-College Studies Programs staff member, may a participant miss a scheduled activity. Any academic-related absences must also be approved by the participant’s faculty and/or instructor. Requests are typically granted for religious reasons, health reasons, or family emergencies.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
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Participants are responsible for keeping their residence hall rooms and common areas clean and are expected to clean up after themselves in their residence hall, classroom, and other spaces they use during the program. Participants should clean up trash in common areas, even if they did not leave it there. Participants’ personal hygiene or room cleanliness should not interfere with the general comfort, safety, security, health, or welfare of themselves or other members of the residential community.
Electronics
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Electronic devices such as laptops, tablets, and cell phones should only be used during program activities (both academic and residential programs) for purposes directly related to the topic that the instructor or staff member is referencing. The program encourages all participants to engage fully in activities and to socialize with others in the program. Participants are expected to follow instructors’ classroom rules regarding use of technology.
Entrepreneurial Activities and Solicitation
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Participants are not allowed to sell goods or services during the program, nor are they allowed to gamble. All forms of solicitation (including email and door to door) are prohibited.
Public Displays of Affection
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Participants are not allowed to publicly display affection in a way that makes other participants or staff members uncomfortable or imposes on their personal space.
Privacy and Media Protection
Respecting Private Information
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Participants are not allowed to distribute the contact information, image, or likeness of any Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies participant, instructor, or staff member without explicit permission of the person (or parent/legal guardian of the participant) whose information, image, or likeness is to be shared.
Expectations of Privacy
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Participants have no reasonable expectation of privacy when utilizing Stanford’s internet resources, including when using a personal electronic device on the University’s internet or wireless network. Participants have no right to privacy when using Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies or Stanford University electronic communications resources, which include Stanford-provided electronic devices and internet resources (e.g., learning management systems and online learning platforms). Stanford has the right to monitor all communications on its server.
Sharing Course Materials
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All course materials provided by the program are intended for the participant's personal use in the program and may not be shared or distributed.

Visitors

Group of SUMaC students

Visitors Temporarily Checking a Participant out of the Program

Participant check-outs are allowed daily between 5:00pm-8:00pm PT; requests at other times will not be approved. Pre-approved adults may check-out a participant for a maximum of three hours, and check-outs are permitted only when they do not conflict with scheduled program activities. Only parents/legal guardians may submit the online Approved Adult Check Out form for each check-out, and the form must be submitted at least 48 hours prior to the requested checkout date for approval by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies will send confirmation to the parent/legal guardians regarding the status of their checkout request and reserves the right to deny the request if there is a conflict. 

  • Participants may only be picked up by visitors who are registered as Approved Visitors in the CampDoc portal.
  • Approved visitors must be 18 years of age or older and will be asked to show a photo ID when picking up the participant.
  • Approved visitors may not enter the residence hall for any reason.
  • Approved visitors are responsible for the safety and well-being of the participant while they are together.

Check-out Time

Pre-approved adults may check participants out for a maximum of three hours between 5:00pm–8:00pm PT, during unstructured time that does not conflict with program activities.


Responsibility

Participants must abide by program rules when outside of their residence hall.


Checking a Participant Out for an Emergency

If there is a family emergency or extenuating circumstance that would require a participant to temporarily leave the program without prior approval, the parent/legal guardian should contact Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff via the emergency contact number to notify them and inform staff when the participant will be leaving and returning to the program.

During the phone call, the parent/legal guardian should include information on which approved visitor will be picking the participant up and where the participant will be traveling. Program staff will work with the participant and their family to provide support before, during, and after the family emergency.

Attendance and Excused Absences

We expect participants to be fully involved in the program. Participants should not have any non-program commitments that directly conflict with required program activities. They should only miss scheduled activities for health reasons, religious observances, or family emergencies.
SUMaC students in workshop

Attendance Policy

Excused Absences

Participants should communicate directly with residential staff if they need to miss class for a permitted medical or religious reason. Communication should happen in advance of the absence whenever possible.

Parents/legal guardians should contact us through the SPCS Contact Form to make a request for a participant to miss class or activities for reasons outside of the above categories. We will review all requests and respond within three to four business days; approval of any request is not guaranteed.

Emergency Exceptions

Last-minute emergencies that require a participant to miss scheduled program activities will be prioritized when possible as requests are reviewed.

Participant Check-Out Policy

Stanford Humanities Institute, Stanford University Mathematics Camp, and Stanford AI4ALL 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.
SHI students on field trip

Academic, Structured Time

Participants may walk to meals, classes, and afternoon structured activities in small groups or pairs. They may not walk to class alone. Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff conduct a head count at each meal, class, problem-set time, discussion section, afternoon activity, and hall meeting 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 or groups 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 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 checking out during unstructured time:

  • Participants sign themselves out in pairs or groups during daylight hours when there is unstructured program time.
  • Check-outs may not interfere with required scheduled program activities. Participants may not 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 may not 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 the Stanford Department of Public 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 may not:

  • 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.

Program Completion

SHI Certificate

Participants who successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion.

Parent/Legal Guardian–Program Agreement

A student, parent, staff member, and instructor speaking at a program welcome dinner

We look forward to partnering with families of our participants to ensure holistic success in our program.

A strong and collaborative relationship between Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies and parents/legal guardians is essential to the program’s success. Parents and legal guardians are expected to support their participants throughout the program and help reinforce Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies’ rules and code of conduct. Additionally, parents/legal guardians acknowledge that, when necessary, staff may confidentially share relevant information with other staff members and instructors on a need-to-know basis to effectively address concerns. Retaliation of any kind is strictly prohibited. The program reserves the right to suspend, terminate, or decline re-enrollment if a parent’s or legal guardian’s actions disrupt the program’s mission or interfere with its operations.

Guidelines for Parent/Legal Guardian Communications with Instructors and Staff

We welcome constructive communication between program staff, instructors, and families that benefits the success of participants. You can help us achieve our mutual goal of supporting your participant by:

  • Reading all program communications in a timely manner and discussing the content with your participant regularly.
  • Encouraging your participant to stay attentive to communications from their instructor or residential staff and respond promptly. After thoroughly reviewing any messages, they should reach out to their instructor or residential staff if they have any questions or need clarification on expectations.
  • Encouraging your participant to communicate regularly with residential staff via Pronto.
  • Proactively contacting program staff if you or your participant have concerns, confusion, or difficulties about program policies and procedures.
  • Asking your participant how their experience in the program is going and supporting them in problem solving any issues or concerns they have.
  • Motivating your participant to advocate for their needs by talking directly with any residential staff member.
  • Setting reasonable expectations regarding response times with communication, being mindful of Pacific Daylight Time business hours and the possibility that residential staff may be prioritizing urgent concerns.

Additionally, parents/legal guardians should not partake in any of the following activities under any circumstance unless explicitly advised to do so by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff:

  • Contacting their participant’s instructor, IA, or residential counselor on the participant’s behalf.
  • Contacting another participant on their participant’s behalf (for example, reaching out to a participant’s roommate in the event of an interpersonal conflict).
  • Contacting another participant’s parent/legal guardian to address a concern involving their participant.
  • With the exception of the Stanford Department of Public Safety, contacting any campus office/department without first consulting with Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies staff.

Technology

SUMaC student in front of laptop
Participants will use Canvas and Pronto to support their academic and social experience. The following section provides information on technology platforms and support resources.

Computer

Please ensure the computer you use for the program has the capability to run the latest versions of modern operating systems and browsers. Be sure the device is in working order before bringing it to campus.

Canvas

Canvas is the Learning Management System used by Stanford, and will be your virtual workspace for all of your classroom needs. This is where you will access your course syllabus, course materials, and submit assignments.

You will receive an invitation email from Canvas (notifications@instructure.com) with instructions to finish your Canvas registration. If the email has not arrived approximately one week before the start of your program, wait a day and check again (make sure to also check your spam folder of the email used on your registration). After logging in for the first time, we recommend that you bookmark the Canvas page for quick access throughout the program. Your academic course will be published in Canvas shortly before the session begins.

Technology Support Resources

Once you have access to Canvas, you will see a course titled "SPCS Tech Page for Students" listed under courses. This course includes how-to articles and troubleshooting tips for technical issues you might encounter with the platforms used in the program. We encourage you to make this your go-to source for technical questions throughout the summer program.


Pronto

Pronto is the preferred communication platform for participant-to-participant and staff-to-participant interaction among Residential SUMaC, Stanford AI4ALL, and SHI participants. This is securely integrated with Canvas and access is limited to students and SPCS staff to ensure that all content can be moderated. We encourage all participants to engage respectfully and civilly. Remember that bullying, harassment, or hazing will not be tolerated. The SPCS Code of Conduct, which is laid out in the Participation Agreement, applies to all digital interactions.