Arts & Sciences Pre-College Programs Code of Conduct

1. Purpose

By choosing to attend an Arts & Sciences Pre-College Program at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU), participants commit to maintaining the highest academic and social standards. This Code of Conduct:

• Describes expectations for behavior on and off campus.
• Promotes a safe, respectful, and inclusive learning and living environment.
• Explains how violations may be addressed.

This Code of Conduct works in conjunction with:

• Off-Campus Boundary Policy
• Residential Community Guidelines
• Notification Regarding Medications and Medical Care
• WashU policies (including policies on alcohol and other drugs, weapons, and discrimination/harassment)
• All applicable federal, state, and local laws

Participants are responsible for knowing and following all of these.

2. Scope

This Code of Conduct applies to:

• All Arts & Sciences Pre-College participants (residential, commuter, and online),
• At all times during the program,
• In all locations (on campus, off campus, online/virtual environments, and during travel associated with the program).

Parents/guardians and participants acknowledge this Code as a condition of participation.

3. Definitions

• Participant: Any individual enrolled in an Arts & Sciences Pre-College Program.
• Residential Participant: A participant who resides in WashU housing as part of the program.
• Commuter Participant: A participant who lives off campus and travels to campus for program activities.
• Online Participant: A participant whose program coursework and required activities are delivered primarily or entirely online (e.g., via Canvas, Zoom, or other virtual platforms), and who is not residing in WashU housing as part of the program.
• Staff: Program staff, program directors, instructors, and other authorized personnel.
• University Property: Any building, facility, grounds, or equipment owned, leased, or controlled by WashU.
• Program Activities: Any classes, labs, workshops, meetings, events, or trips sponsored or required by the program.
• Curfew: The time by which residential participants must be in the residence hall and/or their assigned room, as determined by the program.

4. Core Expectations

• Honesty and Integrity:
  Participants must be honest and forthcoming with WashU officials and others. This includes:
  • Providing accurate information on applications, forms, and online processes.
  • Answering truthfully and completely when questioned by properly identified WashU officials; officials of hospitals; municipal, state, or federal agencies; and police or other first responders.
• Respect for Others:
  Participants must respect the rights, dignity, and safety of other participants, staff, instructors, and community members.
• Compliance with Laws and Policies:
  Participants must follow all applicable laws and WashU policies at all times.
• Program Priority:
  Pre-College participants are expected to dedicate their full attention to program coursework and activities. Non-program commitments (e.g., other coursework, extracurricular activities, employment, research, shadowing) should be scheduled outside program commitments, whether on or off campus, so they do not interfere with participation or engagement.

5. Academic Conduct & Classroom Expectations

Participants are expected to be professional and engaged in the college classroom.

• Attendance & Participation:
  • Attendance at all classes and required program/course activities is mandatory, unless excused by staff or instructors.
  • Arrive on time and prepared, having completed assigned readings and coursework.
  • Actively participate in discussions and engage respectfully with peers and instructors.
  • When contributing in class, ensure comments are thoughtful, relevant, and constructive.
• Academic Responsibility:
  • Maintain consistent effort in all coursework.
  • Seek assistance proactively from instructors or staff when needed.
  • Abide by all academic integrity expectations set by instructors and the University.
• Absences & Online Engagement:
  • More than three (3) unexcused absences from class or other required program/course activities may result in dismissal from the program and withdrawal from courses.
  • Participants in online coursework must maintain an active presence in Canvas by:
    • Logging in regularly;
    • Participating in class discussion boards;
    • Monitoring and responding to course-related messages.
  • Online participants with more than five (5) consecutive days of inactivity in Canvas may be withdrawn from courses and the program.
• Recording & Course Content:
  • Participants may not photograph, videotape, audiotape, screenshot, or otherwise record themselves or others (participants, instructors, or staff), or record course/program content, without explicit consent.
  • Recording may be permitted only as an approved disability accommodation.

6. Prohibited Conduct – Immediate Dismissal

The following behaviors are strictly prohibited and will result in immediate dismissal from the program with:

• No refund of the program fee,
• Withdrawal from classes, and
• No credit earned.

Such conduct may also result in referral to law enforcement.

1. Alcohol, Drugs, and Intoxicating Substances
   • Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of alcoholic beverages.
   • Use, possession, manufacture, distribution, or facilitation of distribution of narcotics or other controlled substances. This includes abuse or distribution of prescription medication (as outlined in the Notification Regarding Medications and Medical Care).
   • Possession of drug paraphernalia.
   • Possession or use of substances or items used to induce intoxication or impairment, even if not illegal, including but not limited to:
     • “Whip-its,” “bath salts,” misuse of over-the-counter medications, asphyxiation, or similar practices.
     • In cases where items are not illegal to possess, intent to use them for intoxication or impairment will be the determining factor.
2. Weapons, Explosives, or Fireworks
   • Possession or use of weapons, explosives, or fireworks, as defined under WashU policy.
3. Violence, Threatening Behavior, and Harassment
   • Stalking, hazing, bullying, domestic/dating/interpersonal violence, or other conduct that harasses, threatens, or endangers the safety or health of any member of the University community or visitor.
   • Physical abuse or threatening physical abuse.
4. Theft and Property Crimes
   • Theft, attempted theft, or unauthorized taking or use of WashU, public, or private property.
   • Knowingly possessing stolen property.

Room Checks:
If there is suspicion of use, procurement, or possession of alcohol, narcotics, controlled substances, weapons, explosives, fireworks, paraphernalia, or items intended for impairment, a room check may occur.

• Room checks will be conducted in the presence of WashU Police, Residential Life, and/or Pre-College personnel.
• Posts or photographs on social media, as well as statements by participants or staff, may constitute grounds for suspicion.

7. Other Prohibited Conduct – Disciplinary Actions

Violations of the expectations below may result in disciplinary actions, which can include:

• Limitation of activities or privileges,
• Behavioral contracts,
• Withdrawal from courses,
• Dismissal from the program with no refund and no credit earned.

7.1 Identification & Documentation

• Participants must carry identification at all times and present it upon reasonable request by a WashU official or designee.
• Participants who are issued a WashU ID must:
  • Carry it at all times, and
  • Not lend or share their WashU ID with anyone.

7.2 Program Compliance

• Participants must complete all required program activities, including:
  • Orientation sessions,
  • Required support meetings,
  • Disciplinary or conduct-related meetings as scheduled by staff.

7.3 Property & Damage

• Participants must respect WashU property and the property of others.
• Any damage to WashU property or private property of other participants or staff will be repaired at the expense of the participant(s) responsible.

7.4 Tobacco, Vaping, and Related Products

• WashU prohibits smoking and the use of tobacco products anywhere on campus.
• Participants may not possess or use:
  • Tobacco products or paraphernalia (e.g., rolling papers, pipes, matches, lighters).
  • Electronic cigarettes or vaping devices/products.

7.5 Knives and Dangerous Items

• Participants may not possess or have unsupervised use of knives of any kind, including:
  • Pocket knives,
  • X-acto knives,
  • Kitchen knives.

Any program-approved tools for coursework will be closely supervised by staff or instructors.

7.6 Events and Gatherings

• Participants may not host parties or gatherings at private homes or off-campus locations in connection with the program.

8. Residential Participant Expectations

8.1 Meetings and Community Standards

• Attend weekly group meetings and required one-on-one meetings with staff.
• Abide by all Residential Community Guidelines.

8.2 Curfew and Quiet Hours

• Curfew is strictly enforced:
  • In the residence hall by 9:00 p.m.
  • In their individual rooms by 11:00 p.m. until 7:30 a.m.
• Quiet hours: 11:00 p.m. – 9:00 a.m.
• Courtesy hours: in effect 24 hours a day.

8.3 Housing Assignments and Access

• Housing assignments are made based on gender identity, age, and year in school.
• Participants may not move from assigned rooms without authorization from the program director.
• Only participants assigned to a particular suite may be in that suite.
• Participants may not loan or share their residence hall key card.
• Participants are expected to:
  • Review the packing list,
  • Ensure they do not bring prohibited items, and
  • Keep rooms, suites, restrooms, and common areas clean.

8.4 Visitors and Vehicles

• Visitors are not permitted in the residence hall, except during official check-in and check-out times.
• Participants may not bring or have access to motor vehicles while residing on campus.

9. Off-Campus and Travel Expectations

The Off-Campus Boundary Policy governs when, where, and how residential participants may leave campus. Participants must review that policy carefully and comply with it at all times. If there is any difference between this Code of Conduct and the Off-Campus Boundary Policy, the stricter requirement applies. Key expectations include:

9.1 General Off-Campus Rules

• Participants must adhere to approved off-campus hours (e.g., Mon–Fri 5:00–9:00 p.m.; Sat–Sun 9:00 a.m.–9:00 p.m., unless otherwise specified by the program).
• Participants must sign out and sign in with program staff, travel in groups of two or more, and list a specific destination.
• Participants must inform staff immediately if their destination, route, or return time changes.
• For health and safety reasons (e.g., inclement weather, local safety concerns), the program may adjust off-campus hours or restrict off-campus privileges. Participants must comply with any such changes.

9.2 Transportation and Vehicles

• Participants may not leave campus in a vehicle operated by someone other than their parent/legal guardian unless:
  • Prior authorization from their parent/legal guardian is received, and
  • The use of that vehicle is approved under program policy and the Off-Campus Boundary Policy.
• Residential participants may not bring or have access to personal motor vehicles while residing on campus.

9.3 Rideshare and Taxi Services (Uber, Lyft, etc.)

A. During the Program (Off‑Campus Travel)

• During the program, participants may not use rideshare or taxi services (Uber, Lyft, etc.) for any off‑campus travel (e.g., going to/from campus for activities, going off campus during free time), unless specifically authorized as part of a program approved activity and with written parent/guardian permission. Blanket parent/guardian permission for use of rideshare services during the program is not permitted.
• For off‑campus travel during the session, participants must use only approved modes of transportation (walking, WashU shuttles, Metro/MetroLink, and other methods explicitly permitted in the Off‑Campus Boundary Policy).

B. Arrival and Departure (Travel To/From Campus)

• Parents/guardians are responsible for arranging a participant’s transportation to campus at the start of the program and from campus at the end of the program.
• A parent/guardian may choose to use rideshare or taxi services only for arrival or departure, and only when:
  • The parent/guardian has provided specific written consent for rideshare/taxi use for that arrival/departure, according to program procedures; and
  • The participant’s pick up/drop off details (date, time, location, and driver/ride information as applicable) are communicated to program staff in advance via the Departure Form.
• Rideshare/taxi use outside of arrival and departure (e.g., mid program, for off campus outings) remains prohibited unless explicitly authorized by the program.

9.4 Overnight Absences (Residential Participants)

• Participants may request an overnight absence only if escorted by a parent/legal guardian or a parent/legal-guardian–approved chaperone (18+).
• The participant must be picked up before 9:00 p.m. and may not return to campus until 8:30 a.m.
• Parents/legal guardians must submit a request at least 24 hours in advance.
• Approval is at the discretion of the program director and may be denied for safety, conduct, or academic reasons.

10. Commuter Participant Expectations

• Attend regular one-on-one meetings with a staff member as scheduled.
• Limit their on-campus presence to:
  • Monday–Friday, 7:30 a.m.–5:00 p.m., unless extended hours are approved.
• Request evening or weekend access in advance:
  • A parent/guardian must submit a Request for On-Campus Extended Time,
  • The request must be approved by the program director.
• Understand that:
  • Commuter participants will not automatically be granted access to residential buildings, and
  • They are not permitted in residential buildings unless specifically approved by the program director.

11. Response to Misconduct & Consequences

• The program reserves the right to respond to violations in a manner consistent with the safety and well-being of participants and the community.
• Possible responses include (but are not limited to):
  • Verbal or written warnings,
  • Restriction or removal of off-campus privileges.
  • Behavioral contracts or probation,
  • Required meetings with staff,
  • Removal from specific activities or courses,
  • Dismissal from the program without refund and/or loss of credit.
• Parents/guardians may be notified of significant or repeated violations, or any issue affecting participant safety or continued participation.

12. Acknowledgment

All participants and their parents/guardians must sign an acknowledgment indicating that they:

• Have read and understand this Code of Conduct,
• Understand the related policies, and
• Agree to abide by all expectations and procedures.