2024 Residential Programs Handbook

Welcome to UChicago!
Congratulations on your acceptance to Summer Session! This page contains important information you need to know to prepare yourself to attend your Summer Session program, and outlines the community and academic standards expected of all participants. The information listed below is subject to change. If you have any questions, please email us at summersession@uchicago.edu or call us at 773.702.2149. We look forward to welcoming you to the UChicago campus!

Admissions Checklist

To secure space in UChicago Summer Session, students and their families need to complete all the items on the checklist below. All items are accessible through the Status Page located at https://applypcs.uchicago.edu/apply..

Specific deadlines for some items may vary depending on when you were admitted, so check your Status Page for more information.

  • Complete and submit the required forms, including:
    • Parental Permission and Release (to be completed by a parent or guardian ONLY)
    • Academic, Social & Residential Policies
    • Emergency Contact
    • Media Release
    • Student Waiver of FERPA Rights
    • Photo ID (form will be available in April)
    • Travel Form (form will be available in April)
  • Once your UCID appears on your status page, admitted students must claim your CNET ID and password at cnet.uchicago.edu.
  • Pay the remaining balance of the program fee within four weeks of receiving your offer of admission.
  • If you have a 504 plan or IEP at your current school, or otherwise believe that you might need accommodations such as extra time for tests, contact Student Disability Services as soon as possible at disabilities@uchicago.edu. The review process can take some time, so don’t delay your request if you think you might need it.

Financial Policies

Summer Session Enrollment Deposit

A required, nonrefundable $1,000 deposit should be paid by the deadline indicated in your acceptance letter and on your student confirmation form; this deposit will be credited towards your final balance.

Program Fees

Once you pay the $1,000 deposit, please pay the remaining balance on your status page via credit card or bank account via 4 weeks of admissions. Please see the Costs & Aid page for detailed program fee information.

Refunds and Withdrawals

For all programs, 100% of program fees, including enrollment deposits, will be refunded only if a course or program is canceled and the student does not select another course or program to attend in its place.

  • All requests for refunds must be made in writing to summersession@uchicago.edu.
  • Application fees and enrollment deposits are non-refundable, but the remaining program fee will be refunded through May 3. 
  • After May 3, the program fee is non-refundable. 
  • Students who must leave the program due to a medical or serious family situation that prevents them from completing the program should contact summersession@uchicago.edu to discuss financial obligations.

Injury, Illness, or Other Emergent Situations 

Students in Immersion, Pre-College Connect, RIBS, Stones & Bones programs have access to medical facilities, including the Student Health Services and an on-call physician for after business hours care. If a student requires immediate medical attention, the University of Chicago’s Medical Center is on campus. 

Residential staff members will be available 24/7 to help in the case of any emergency and will contact the parent or guardian. All parents of minors are required to submit a release form authorizing necessary medical treatment in the case that the parent/guardian cannot be reached. 

Class attendance is required, as our courses are very intensive and catching up can be very difficult for a student who has fallen behind, but we understand that emergencies arise. Students who must miss 1-2 days of class should notify their instructor immediately to let them know that they will not be in class, and to learn what course work must be completed. 

Students who miss 3 or more days of class must contact the Summer Session Office for withdrawal counseling. Students who have completed the majority of the requirements in their course may petition the Summer Session Office for the option to take their course for an Incomplete. Our office will consult with the course instructor(s) about the feasibility of completing the coursework off-campus and how and when the remaining requirements would be fulfilled if granted. All requests for Incompletes in pre-college courses must be made through the Summer Session Office, not through the instructor(s), and the decision of our office is final. Students who are granted an Incomplete must complete their remaining requirements in the stipulated time frame or they will receive an F in the course. Students remain responsible for payment of their entire program fee. Students who are not granted an Incomplete must withdraw from the program; depending upon their withdrawal date, they will receive a partial refund of their program fee. 

If a residential Summer Session student must depart campus due to physical or mental health concerns, an approved parent or guardian must retrieve the student within 48 hours of being notified of the student’s situation. Any associated costs are the responsibility of the student’s family. This policy also applies to Stones and Bones students during the fieldwork portion of the program in Wyoming. 

Campus and Residential Policies

The Summer Session Residential Program seeks to serve the educational objectives of the University by offering a setting outside the classroom where individual education and personal development is furthered. The following policies establish reasonable limits to ensure all residents can live, study, eat and sleep successfully. These policies help to guarantee the basic rights of all residents, which include protection from behavior that creates excessive noise, endangers or disturbs other residents, or invites the intrusion of public authorities into the residence hall.

Residential Staff

The Residential Program staff consists of Residential Assistants, current or recently graduated UChicago undergraduate students, who live alongside students in the residence hall and help guide them in adjusting to the demands of college life. Residential Assistants are overseen by a team of Assistant Residential Directors, who also live in residence. As a team, they will be an important resource for students, and are responsible for assuring Summer Session students comply with all program policies and guidelines. The Assistant Residential Directors are on call 24 hours a day and the front desk of the residence hall is also staffed 24 hours a day. The residential team is overseen by the Residential Director, an experienced residence life professional who is a year-round member of the Summer Session senior team.

In addition to Summer Session residential staff, full-time residential staff who work in Housing and Residence Life during the regular academic year live in the residence hall with their families. All residential students should be equally as respectful of these staff members and their families as they are to Summer Session staff and participants.

Student Behavior in the Residence Hall

The residence hall is a community where the individuality of all residents and their rights to make personal choices are respected, as long as those choices do not interfere with the rights of others. In protection of these rights and responsibilities, residents may not engage in personal abuse, written or verbal, directed against other residents, guests, or members of the residential or facilities staff. Any form of abusive, threatening, or harassing behavior will be considered grounds for serious disciplinary action.

Students will reside only in their assigned room and may use common spaces in the hall as directed by the resident staff. Any other room in the residence hall, including rooms and common spaces that are being cleaned, under construction, or being used by another program or University staff members, are considered restricted areas, and may not be entered or used by Summer Session students.

Curfew

The safety and health of Summer Session residential students is the first priority for Residential Program staff. The City of Chicago has curfew laws which it strictly enforces. Accordingly, Summer Session students have a curfew from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. This is not a “lights-out” policy, and students are not confined to their rooms during these hours. However, they are expected to be inside the residence hall. This policy is a way of ensuring that students are present and accounted for and that they have a chance to “check in” with their RA every night.

The program curfew is enforced for all participants in the Pre-College programs, regardless of age.

The Curfew Policies and Procedures for Pre-College students require that each resident sign in with an RA during a prescribed time window each evening. It is considered a curfew violation whenever a resident fails to sign in correctly, even if that resident was in the residence hall at the designated curfew time. The residential staff will review strategies for successful curfew sign-in as well as all of the detailed curfew policies (beyond what is explained on this page) on the first night of the program. 

Adhering to the curfew policy is the student’s responsibility. While residential staff will take reasonable measures to ensure that students adhere to the curfew policy, once a student has been verified as being within the residence hall as the designated time, it cannot guarantee that the student will not subsequently choose to leave the residence hall area. Leaving the residence hall area during curfew hours, before or after signing in with the residential staff, is a violation of curfew and will be considered grounds for disciplinary action.

Pre-College students who violate or do not adhere to this policy are subject to a loss of privileges, including enforcement of an early curfew for specific students. If a student is absent from the residence hall or floor as prescribed, the University Police, then City of Chicago Police, then the student’s parents/guardian, in that order and after an appropriate interval of time, will be informed. Violations of the curfew policy can result in dismissal from the program.

Parents may give permission for their children to miss curfew if they will be accompanied by themselves or another adult who is not a student in the residential program. Students must submit an online Curfew Release Form via the web portal at least 24 hours prior to the requested release time, and parents/family members will be contacted to verify the details of the curfew release or travel plans. During the specified release time, the University of Chicago does not assume responsibility for the student. More details about parental responsibilities for curfew release will be shared during Orientation.

Activities and Events

A variety of activities and trips away from campus are offered by the Summer Session Office for program participants throughout the summer. Program staff plans and accompanies students to these events. All expectations for appropriate conduct in the residential program will also apply to off-campus events. Failure to abide by these instructions will result in disciplinary action. Any students under 18 who miss a bus returning to campus or otherwise become separated from the group during one of these outings must contact the Residential Program staff to report their situation or they will be reported as missing persons and parents of minors will be advised after a reasonable length of time.

Students who choose to explore the city on their own should familiarize themselves with how they will travel to and from their destinations before they leave campus, and make sure that they have the means to contact the Residential Program staff in case of an emergency. High school students who do not return to campus in time for curfew sign-in will be considered in violation of the curfew policy, and furthermore must contact the Residential Program staff to report their situation or they will be reported as missing persons and parents will be advised after a reasonable length of time.

Students with Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity Considerations

We are committed to providing all students on-campus housing accommodations that are safe and inclusive.

Students are automatically assigned rooms with those of the same gender. Each floor is divided by gender. 

However, if enough students request it via the Housing Information form, Summer Session offers gender inclusive housing, where students of all genders would live in the same wing.

No student will be assigned to such a space unless they specifically express interest.

Roommates and Room Assignments

Students must respect the rights of their roommates including, but not limited to, the right to privacy and use of the shared room and bathroom facilities. Students who violate this principle will be subject to disciplinary action. Students will receive room and roommate assignments when they move into the residence hall, not prior. 

Pre-College students may be housed in single- or double-occupancy rooms, based on available space.

Dining on Campus

All residential students are enrolled in the dining plan for three meals a day, seven days a week.

Summer Session students will dine at one of the dining commons designated for summer use, and will be provided with more information closer to the start of summer.

Meals will be served seven days a week at the following times (subject to change):

Breakfast: 7:00am – 9:30am
Lunch: 11:30am – 1:30pm
Dinner: 5:30pm – 7:30pm

Quiet Hours

In order that students might study and sleep undisturbed, quiet hours will be observed in the residence hall as follows:

Sunday through Thursday: 9:00pm until 7:00am
Friday and Saturday: 10:00pm until 7:00am
Courtesy hours (music, voices or other noise must be limited if requested) are in effect 24 hours a day.

Guests

Occasionally friends or relatives may wish to visit, and we welcome them to campus. However, guests, including parents and siblings, may not stay overnight in student rooms. Hosting unregistered guests will be grounds for disciplinary action. Hosts are always responsible for the behavior of campus guests, and visitors are expected to conform to the behavioral standards set for students at the University.

In addition, students may not host other program participants in their rooms overnight. Every student is expected to sleep in his or her own assigned room. This ensures that roommates’ rights are upheld, as well as that in the event of an emergency, staff can quickly and easily locate residents. Students found in violation of this policy will be subject to disciplinary action.

Automobiles

Commuter students are permitted to drive to and from campus but should be aware of the limited parking available. Students are not permitted to transport other students in their motor vehicles.

Fire Safety

Fire safety regulations, which will be discussed during Orientation, must be followed. Tampering with fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and smoke alarms, is a crime and will likely result in dismissal from the program.

Pets

Pets are not allowed in the residence hall and should not be brought to campus.

Campus Arrivals and Departures

Arrival and Orientation

Each student’s Summer Session experience begins with their arrival to campus. Whether you arrive by plane, train, bus, or car, our staff will welcome you, complete the check-in process, and show you to your room in the Summer Session residence hall. Once students arrive, we connect with them right away to share all the information they need to make their Summer Session experience successful!

Session 1 students will arrive for orientation on Saturday, June 15.

Session 2 students will arrive for orientation on Monday, July 8.

Orientation is mandatory. Students should plan to arrive on campus between 10 A.M. and 5 P.M. on arrival days.

Airport Shuttles

UChicago Summer Session arranges airport shuttles to provide transportation for Summer Session students arriving to O’Hare International Airport (ORD) on arrival days. For a fee, students can opt into the shuttle on your UChicago Account starting in April.

Those arriving on flights before 2:30pm can opt into taking the shuttle. If you are not flying into O’Hare before 2:30pm, or are flying into another airport, we recommend exploring taxis or rideshare services.

The Airport shuttle is meant for students traveling to and from O’Hare on their own. Only Summer Session students are eligible to take the airport shuttle. No additional seats for family or friends can be reserved.

Departing from Campus/Moving Out of the Residence Hall

All students should expect to be in class for the full scheduled time on the last day of classes and may move out any time after their last class period ends.

Pre-College students who check out before the morning after their courses end must submit a Curfew Release Form 24 hours in advance, and be approved by Summer Session staff before departure.

When moving out of the residence hall, students must remove all of their belongings, clean their rooms, and return their keys to the front desk. A move-out checklist will be sent to students a few days before departure to help them plan ahead.

Summer Session is not responsible for any personal items left behind by students after they move out of the residence hall.

Airport shuttles to O’Hare International Airport will also be available for Immersion students flying out the morning after their course ends.

Damage, Loss and Additional Fees

Through the Bursar’s Office, students will be assessed fees for:

  • Replacement of lost or damaged UChicago Cards
  • Late submission of photos
  • Accessing vacant residential rooms that are not their own
  • Any damage to their room or common spaces, or furnishings therein
  • Damage repair or excessive room cleaning

If these fees are not paid by the due date on the invoice, a student’s status at the Registrar’s Office will be restricted, and students will not be able to access grades or request transcripts. Collection action may also be taken.

Academic Policies

Course Requirements

Students must meet all academic requirements established by instructors. Regular class attendance, timely completion of all assigned work, and thorough preparation for and participation in all classes are required. Failure to meet these obligations reflects a lack of commitment to success in the program and may result in probation or dismissal.

Participants whose academic performance is not meeting expectations will be referred to program staff for counseling. There will also be an academic advisor who will provide one-on-one support to students during regularly held office hours and by appointment.

Class Participation

Students are expected to attend all class sessions for all courses for which they have registered, as our courses are very intensive and catching up can be very difficult for a student who has fallen behind. Instructors in pre-college programs take attendance at every class session in both the morning and afternoon, and are expected to notify the Summer Session Office within a half-hour of any student absence; Summer Session staff will attempt to locate the student and will send the student to class unless the student is ill or has some other emergency that precludes attendance. 

Students who will not be able to attend a class session should inform their instructor in advance of the class session via email, copying summersession@uchicago.edu, to let them know that they will not be in class, and to learn what course work must be completed. Unexcused class absences by pre-college students will result in disciplinary action, including probation and dismissal, and will negatively affect their final grade. 

Due to the intensive nature of our academic programs, the Summer Session Office strongly discourages students from “double-booking” themselves and participating in another program while attending UChicago, whether in-person or online.

Students who miss 3 or more days of class must contact the Summer Session Office for withdrawal counseling. Students who have completed the majority of the requirements in their course may petition the Summer Session Office for the option to take their course for an Incomplete. Our office will consult with the course instructor(s) about the feasibility of completing the coursework off-campus and how and when the remaining requirements would be fulfilled if granted. All requests for Incompletes in pre-college courses must be made through the Summer Session Office, not through the instructor(s), and the decision of our office is final. Students who are granted an Incomplete must complete their remaining requirements in the stipulated timeframe or they will receive an F in the course; they also are responsible for payment of their entire program fee. Students who are not granted an Incomplete must withdraw from the program; depending upon their withdrawal date, they will receive a partial refund of their program fee. 

Course Changes (Add/Drop)

Because Summer Session courses are brief and very intensive, we only consider course change requests within a very small time frame each session. Not engaging with course sessions and assignments for just a few days will make it very difficult to make up the material you will have missed in the new course were you to switch, and may negatively affect your final grade.

Course change requests for those enrolled in Immersion must be made before the end of the second day of classes.

All course change requests must be made via email to summersession@uchicago.edu. Change requests will be considered on a case-by-case, space-available basis.

Students will only be able to access a course’s Canvas site sessions if they are officially enrolled in that course. Therefore, if a student wishes to request a course change, they must work with the Summer Session office to do so.

Course Credit

Only the college or university you attend for your undergraduate degree can determine the acceptability of Summer Session courses for transfer credit according to its own policies. Pre-College students who complete Summer Session courses and later matriculate in the undergraduate College at UChicago cannot apply those credits towards graduation. For further information, refer to the College’s Transfer Credit guidelines. Official transcripts must be requested by students directly from the University Registrar via myUChicago; grades will not be sent automatically to your home institution.

All students can request transcripts showing their grade and credits earned. Each Summer Session undergraduate course, regardless of length, is the equivalent of a regular academic quarter course and is worth 100 University of Chicago credits and 5 quarter hours.
 

Grades

At the University of Chicago, the following grades and marks are given to students in undergraduate-level courses: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, F, I, NGR, P, and W. The numbered weight assigned to each letter grade for computation of grade point averages follows:

Grade = Value

A = 4.0
A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0
B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0
C- = 1.7
D+ = 1.3
D = 1.0
F = 0

Other: P = Pass, I = Incomplete, NGR = No Grade Recorded, W = Withdrawn

The University of Chicago does not mail paper grade reports. Grades will be available to students via myUChicago at the end of Summer Quarter (mid-September). Official transcripts must be requested by students directly from the University Registrar.

Students who find themselves in extreme circumstances that make it difficult to complete their course work, such as a sudden illness or other emergency, should seek advice from the Summer Session Office about the best options for their particular situation. In situations such as these, the Summer Session Office may grant permission for a student to take a course for a P (Pass) or an I (Incomplete).

Students must receive written permission from the Summer Session Office before they can receive a grade of P (Pass) or I (Incomplete) for a course; the instructor’s permission alone is not sufficient.

Grade Definitions

Pass

The mark P (Pass) is intended for a student who has (1) completed the requirements of a course with work that is of a passing quality, and (2) participated actively in the course. The student must first petition the Summer Session Office at summersession@uchicago.edu for permission to take the course Pass/Fail. Once permission is granted, Summer Session staff will notify the instructor. All arrangements to take a course Pass/Fail must be made before the final exam or class session of a course, whichever comes first. Students should be aware that courses taken for a Pass/Fail grade might not be accepted for transferable credit by colleges and universities. The mark F indicates unsatisfactory work and does not confer credit. A grade of F may not be subsequently changed, except when entered in error by the instructor or the registrar.

Incomplete

The mark I (Incomplete) is intended for a student who has not completed the requirements of a course before the end of the quarter but who has (1) completed the majority of the requirements of the course with work that is of a passing quality, and (2) participated actively in the course. The student must first petition the Summer Session Office in writing at summersession@uchicago.edu. The Summer Session Office will consult with the course instructor, and will contact the student regarding arrangements to complete the remaining work, including a deadline for completion. Incompletes must be finished within a period of time agreed upon between student and instructor (which must be no longer than two months after the course end date). If the student completes the course work within the specified time period, the instructor will report a grade for the course, which will be entered on the student’s transcript following the I (Incomplete) even after the work has been completed, the I (Incomplete) remains on the student’s academic record.

If the course work has not been completed within the specified time period, the student will receive a W (Withdrawn) for the course, unless the instructor has indicated to the Summer Session Office that another grade should be assigned in this eventuality.

No Grade

The mark “NGR” (No Grade) is entered on the student’s grade report by the registrar’s office when the instructor has failed to submit a final grade for a student. The NGR may be resolved by submission of a final grade or a formal Incomplete petition to the Summer Session Office. If neither has been submitted by Friday of the week following the end of summer quarter, the NGR will be converted into a W. After this point, students will not be eligible to petition the Summer Session Office for an Incomplete.

When a final grade is submitted to replace an NGR, that grade will be entered on the academic record with an “I” notation, indicating that the work was completed outside the course’s standard timeframe. That “I” may be removed only if the instructor states that the student’s work was completed before the end of the quarter or if the student successfully petitions the Summer Session Office.

The intermediary NGR should not be interpreted as an informal Incomplete or as a way to avoid an “I” on the transcript. Rather, students are strongly urged to protect themselves against misunderstandings and missed deadlines by arranging for an official Incomplete if one proves necessary.

Academic Honesty

As students, staff, and faculty of the University of Chicago, we all belong to an academic community with high scholarly standards of which we are justly proud. Our community also holds certain fundamental ethical principles to which we are equally deeply committed. We believe it is contrary to justice, to academic integrity, and to the spirit of intellectual inquiry to submit the statements, ideas or work of others as one’s own, or to inappropriately reference outside sources or consult with others to complete assignments intended to measure the individual’s mastery of content. Because these offenses undercut the distinctive moral and intellectual character of the University, we take them very seriously; punishments for committing them may range up to expulsion from the University of Chicago. Proper acknowledgment of another's ideas, whether by direct quotation or paraphrase, is expected. In particular, if any written or electronic source is consulted and material is used from that source, directly or indirectly, the source should be identified by author, title, and page number, or by website URL and date accessed. Any doubts about what constitutes "use" should be addressed to the instructor.

Identification - The UChicago Card

The UChicago Card is a student’s official Summer Session identification and is subject to the regulations of the University. Students should carry the card at all times as it is required for entry into the residence hall, libraries, dining hall, and other facilities. The card is not transferable and must be presented upon demand by a University official. Students are subject to disciplinary action if they fail to identify themselves adequately upon the request of a University official. Misuse of the card will result in its forfeiture and may be subject to disciplinary action.

UChicago Cards will be distributed on arrival day at the check-in table before Summer Session Orientation. Students will be given program lanyards to carry their UChicago Card, and they are expected to wear their lanyards around their necks while on campus.

If a student loses their UChicago Card, there is a $25 charge to replace a card. It may take up to three (3) business days to make a replacement card. Students may be responsible for paying for meals in the dining hall until a replacement care can be created. In case of a lost UChicago Card, contact any residential staff member immediately, so that Summer Session senior staff members can be notified and request a new card and have the old card deactivated immediately.

Any Summer Session student found to be in possession of an altered or fake ID (UChicago or government-issued) will have it confiscated, not to be returned, and disciplinary action will be taken against the student.

In April, you will need to submit a photo to the Office of Privileges using your CNET ID in order to have an ID photo created on your behalf.

When taking a photo to submit for your UChicago Card, please remember that this card will act as official identification so your photo must meet the following guidelines:

  • Background should be plain white or off-white
  • Photos must be in color
  • You must be directly facing and looking at the camera
  • High-resolution photography is strongly recommended
  • Do not have any other object or person in the picture
  • Photo must be taken in the last 6 months and must be in likeness of your current appearance

Computing

Summer Session students will have access to the University’s computing network, including the Internet and email, during the length of their program. Students are strongly encouraged to bring their own computers if they own one; however, computers are not required. Students who do not bring their own computers may utilize computers set up for general use in the Regenstein Library. Students who choose to bring their own computers to campus are responsible for their maintenance. Summer Session staff do not provide computer support for student’s personal computers. However, the TechBar at the Regenstein Library and IT Services can assist students with computing support.

Computing Regulations

All students are expected to abide by the University of Chicago’s policy on Information Technology Use and Access. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action by the University. Parents and students should be aware that the University does not monitor or censor in any way any electronic material. Some individuals may find the content of some electronic entries to be objectionable, including comments which may be construed as profane, obscene, racist, sexist, or otherwise offensive. Students should use the University’s computing network recognizing that these materials exist and can be accessed, and that the University neither assumes responsibility for nor endorses any of the content in electronic entries.

If you acquire and/or redistribute copyrighted materials without buying or licensing them, and/or if in using certain applications you consume network capacity inappropriately, you will be found in violation of the University’s Eligibility and Acceptable Use Policy. This will result in the revocation of your IT account, which means you will no longer be able to use University computing facilities, including on-campus Wi-Fi or other network connections, while you are a student here.

Federal law requires that the University take action when notified that someone on its network is distributing copyrighted materials. In addition, sharing copyrighted materials without a license is quite likely to subject the user and the University to legal sanctions. The University will not protect individuals who distribute copyrighted material without an appropriate license.

University Policies

Student Conduct

Any conduct, on or off campus, of students as individuals and as members of campus groups that threatens the security of the University community, the rights of its individual members, or its basic norms of academic integrity will be subject to disciplinary action and possible dismissal from the program.

The ideas of different members of the University community will frequently conflict, and we do not attempt to shield people from ideas that they might find unwelcome, disagreeable, or even offensive. There are, however, some circumstances in which behavior so violates our community’s standards that formal University intervention may be appropriate. Acts of violence and explicit threats of violence directed to a particular individual that compromise that individual’s safety or ability to function within the University setting are direct affronts to the University’s values and warrant intervention by University officials. Abusive conduct directed at a particular individual that compromises that individual’s ability to function within the University setting and that persists after the individual has asked that it stop may also warrant such intervention.

Statement of Nondiscrimination

In keeping with its long-standing traditions and policies, the University of Chicago considers students, employees, applicants for admission or employment, and those seeking access to University programs on the basis of individual merit. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes as required by law (including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972).

For additional information regarding the University of Chicago’s Policy on Harassment, Discrimination, and Sexual Misconduct, please see http://harassmentpolicy.uchicago.edu/page/policy.

The University official responsible for coordinating compliance with this Notice of Nondiscrimination is Bridget Collier, Associate Provost for Equal Opportunity Programs. Ms. Collier also serves as the University’s Title IX Coordinator, Affirmative Action Officer, and Section 504/ADA Coordinator.

You may contact Ms. Collier by emailing bcollier@uchicago.edu, by calling 773-834-6367, or by writing to Bridget Collier, Office of the Provost, The University of Chicago, 5801 S. Ellis Ave., Suite 510, Chicago, IL 60637.

Unlawful Discrimination and Harassment

Discrimination based on factors irrelevant to admission, employment, or program participation violates the University’s principles. In keeping with its long-standing traditions and policies, the University of Chicago considers students, employees, applicants for admission or employment, and those seeking access to programs on the basis of individual merit. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information or other protected classes under the law. Such discrimination is unlawful.

Harassment based on one of the factors listed above is verbal or physical conduct or conduct using technology that is so severe or pervasive that it has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or educational program participation, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.

A person’s subjective belief that behavior is offensive, intimidating or hostile does not make that behavior harassment. The behavior must be objectively unreasonable. Expression occurring in an academic, educational or research context is considered as a special case and is broadly protected by academic freedom. Such expression will not constitute harassment unless (in addition to satisfying the above definition) it is targeted at a specific person or persons, is abusive, and serves no bona fide academic purpose.

Harassment includes same-sex harassment and peer harassment among students, staff, other academic appointees, postdoctoral researchers, faculty members, program participants, volunteers, and anyone on whom the University formally confers a title, regardless of employment status. Harassment by a faculty member, instructor, or teaching assistant of a student over whom the individual has authority, or by a supervisor of a subordinate, is particularly serious.

Additional Characteristics of Sexual Harassment

Sexual misconduct encompasses a range of conduct, from sexual assault (a criminal act that the U.S. Department of Education defines as sexual harassment) to conduct such as unwanted touching or persistent unwelcome comments, emails, or pictures of an insulting or degrading sexual nature, which may constitute harassment, depending upon the specific circumstances and context in which the conduct occurs. For example, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or sexually-directed remarks or behavior constitute sexual harassment when (1) submission to or rejection of such conduct is made, explicitly or implicitly, a basis for an academic or employment decision, or a term or condition of either; or (2) such conduct directed against an individual persists despite its rejection.

In compliance with the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (“VAWA”) and the Clery Act, the University uses the State of Illinois Criminal Code’s definitions of sexual assault and sexual abuse. The University incorporates the State’s definitions of several other important terms, including domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking and recognizes that sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking are not gender-specific crimes.

Definitions and additional information are provided in the UChicago Student Manual.

TItle IX Compliance

All students enrolling in Summer Session programs will be required to complete an online training about Title IX policies before their program begins. Students will be sent information via email in May 2024 with links to the online training.

Community Standards Policies

The residential experience is a key feature of our summer programs, and has important outcomes for our participants, such as the opportunity to meet a diverse group of peers from around the world, to learn more about the distinctive UChicago campus and academic culture, and to experience college life as more independent, self-directed learners. In the remote environment, our goal is to assure these important outcomes are still achieved. So while our community is both online and on-campus in a residential environment, we expect the same adherence to personal and community integrity standards and same respect for all staff and students to be honored.

Guidelines for Student Conduct

Summer Session is a community where the individuality of all participants and their rights to make personal choices are respected, as long as those choices do not interfere with the rights of others. In protection of these rights and responsibilities, participants may not engage in personal abuse, written or verbal, directed against other participants or members of the academic or administrative staff. Any form of abusive, threatening, bullying, or harassing behavior will be considered grounds for disciplinary action and removal from the program.

Behavior directed to a particular individual that compromises that individual’s safety or ability to function with the University setting is prohibited, and will be investigated by University officials.

Students who violate community standards are subject to dismissal or expulsion. Prohibited behaviors include:

• Acts of violence or explicit threats of violence

• Abusive conduct (through any spoken, written, or visual medium) including bullying

• Discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes as required by law (including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972).

• Harassment that is so severe or pervasive that it has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s educational program participation, or that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment.

• Sexual misconduct, which encompasses a range of conduct, from sexual assault (a criminal act that the U.S. Department of Education defines as sexual harassment) to conduct such as unwanted touching or persistent unwelcome comments, emails, or pictures of an insulting or degrading sexual nature, which may constitute harassment, depending upon the specific circumstances and context in which the conduct occurs.

A person’s subjective belief that behavior is offensive, intimidating or hostile does not make that behavior harassment. The behavior must be objectively unreasonable. Expression occurring in an academic or educational context is considered as a special case and is broadly protected by academic freedom. Such expression will not constitute harassment unless (in addition to satisfying the above definitions) it is targeted at a specific person or persons, is abusive, and serves no bona fide academic purpose.

Alcohol, Drugs & Paraphernalia and Prescription Medicine

Pre-College Summer Session students may not use, possess, distribute, solicit, assist in the acquisition of, transmit, traffic, manufacture or attempt to manufacture alcohol, illegal drugs, or drug paraphernalia at any time while a student in the Summer Session programs, whether on campus or off campus, even at a private gathering. This ban on possession includes marijuana flowers, cannabis products, and THC-enhanced products in any form; although recreational marijuana use for adults ages 21 and over is now legal in Illinois, federal law prohibits its possession, distribution and use in any form on the University’s campus.

This zero-tolerance policy means that any Summer Session students who are found to possess, consume, distribute, or be in the presence of alcohol or controlled substances while participating in the program, unless in compliance with a doctor’s prescription, will be subject to immediate dismissal from the program.

Federal and state laws prohibit the possession, distribution and use of controlled substances, unless in compliance with licensing requirements or a doctor’s prescription. Illinois law prohibits the consumption and possession of alcohol by persons under the age of 21 and the supplying of alcohol to any person under the age of 21. Additionally, Illinois law prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages except by those licensed to sell such beverages. Illinois law and city ordinances also prohibit public intoxication, operation of a vehicle or bicycle under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants, and consumption of alcohol in a public place. Violators of these state and federal laws will be subject to disciplinary action, which may include being barred from the residence hall.

This zero-tolerance policy also extends to substances employed to induce effects similar to intoxication or impairment, but which are not necessarily illegal, e.g., “whip-its,” “bath salts,” misuse of cough syrup or other over-the-counter medications, asphyxiation and so on. In such cases, the intent to misuse a legal substance to result in intoxication or impairment will be the determining factor in the disciplinary response.

Commuter students and students participating in off-campus programs are subject to the same restrictions and disciplinary measures for possession or use of alcohol or controlled substances while on campus.

All students will be expected to self-administer and self-manage their own prescribed and over-the-counter medications. The Residential Program staff bears no responsibility in these matters.

Finally, the health and safety of our students remains our top priority. Summer Session students are expected to contact appropriate emergency personnel when an intoxicated/impaired person needs assistance. In case of a medical emergency, students should call 911 or 773-702-8181 to contact police, fire and medical professionals.

Firearms and Weapons

Possession of firearms of any kind, fireworks and other explosives, or other dangerous objects or materials on campus is prohibited. Possession of weapons, including knives, swords, tasers, BB, air or paintball guns, or any other object used as a weapon, is prohibited. Any student found to be in possession of such objects will be immediately dismissed from the program and may be referred to local law enforcement.

Smoke/Open Flames

Smoking (of tobacco or any other substance) and e-cigarettes (vaping, Juul, or any other device) are not permitted in or within 15 feet of University buildings, including all libraries, museums, coffee shops, and common areas of the residence halls. Students are not permitted to be in possession of smoking or e-cigarette paraphernalia in the residence hall.

Candles and incense are prohibited in the residence hall, as well as any other source of open flame, to minimize the risk of fire.

University Facilities

Students must follow the guidelines issued by each University service facility such as libraries, athletics, and dining services. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action as will misuse of the facilities.

Students will not be able to exercise at the Ratner Athletic Center over the course of the summer.

Students with Disabilities

Students who would like to request an accommodation such as extra time when taking tests or a room closer to the elevator should contact Student Disability Services at disabilities@uchicago.edu as soon as possible after you have confirmed you are attending. Appropriate and professional documentation verifying the disability and specifying recommended accommodation(s) must be provided to support the request. Assuming the documentation is current and complete, the review and decision process may take several weeks, so do not wait until your course begins to request accommodations. It is the policy of the University of Chicago to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as amended, but please bear in mind that whatever accommodations you may have at your current school does not automatically transfer to UChicago.

Disciplinary Policies

Academic Violations

An instructor who believes that a student in his/her course has acted questionably with regard to academic honesty will discuss the matter directly with the student and, if possible, resolve the matter in this way. If this is not possible, the matter will be brought to the Director of Academic Programs. The Director, after consultation with the appropriate parties, including the student in question, will determine if a formal hearing is necessary. In these cases, the Director will convene a Disciplinary Committee, comprised of the Director of Academic Programs, the Director of Residential Programs, the Executive Director, and members of the Dean of Students office in the College who oversee student conduct. The matter will proceed to resolution consistent with the Disciplinary Procedures of the Summer Session and the College.

Community Violations

If a student exhibits behavior inconsistent with the policies contained in the student handbook, program staff will intervene and discourage such actions. All inappropriate behavior will be recorded in a daily log and brought to the attention of program administration. In cases where a student’s behavior, in the judgment of the Summer Session Office, fails to meet established expectations, displays disregard for the warnings of the Staff, or reflects a serious infraction of the program’s policies, the matter will be referred to the Executive Director and Director of Residential Programs for disciplinary action.

The Disciplinary Committee will consult with appropriate parties prior to rendering a disciplinary decision. Such decisions can include:

  • Probation. All students placed on probation will be informed in writing with a copy to the student’s parents/guardian. Any further infractions of the program’s policies while on probation will result in dismissal. Note: Serious infractions during the final week of a program are not subject to probation but will result in dismissal and no record of grades or program participation will be issued.
  • Dismissal. Students with a history of warnings who further violate the program’s policies will be subject to dismissal. A decision to dismiss may only be appealed to the Disciplinary Committee and must include new, relevant information that had not been considered when the decision to dismiss was made, and must be rendered within 24 hours of the decision to dismiss. The decision of the Disciplinary Committee is final.
  • Expulsion. In very serious cases, a student may be officially expelled from the University. Expulsion follows all the policies and carries all the penalties of dismissal, but expelled students will be blocked from enrolling again as a student of the University for the next five years.

In cases where a single serious violation occurs or where a student endangers their own well-being or the well-being of others, a decision to dismiss or expel the student immediately can be made. Students who are dismissed or expelled will be unenrolled from their course immediately, and lose all access to University systems.

Dismissed or expelled students receive no refund of their application fee, deposit, or tuition fees. They will not receive credit for any work completed, nor will they receive a grade report or instructor evaluations. They will be responsible for any and all remaining balances owed to the University for tuition, fees, and other charges.