Program Policies

Grades, Evaluations, and Credit

The Summer Immersion Program for High School Students is academically rigorous; courses do not carry college credit, however.

Grades are not assigned. Rather, upon successful completion of the program, students receive an official Columbia University Statement of Completion and written evaluations from their instructor.

Successful completion is determined by the instructors and the Program Director. Successful completion is based on attendance, class participation, satisfactory completion of assignments, and adherence to the program's community standards.

Class attendance is carefully monitored. Students must attend classes unless they are ill. A student who misses multiple class sessions may not receive a Statement of Completion, even if those absences are excused.

Plagiarism in any form is not tolerated.

Evaluations and Statements of Completion are typically issued by late October.

Academic Integrity

Columbia University takes matters of intellectual integrity very seriously. Plagiarism is not tolerated. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, submitting work done by another person or purchased from any source; failure to document ideas found in sources, whether print or electronic, with appropriate notes and bibliographical references; failure to enclose borrowed phrases or sentences within quotation marks; and turning in the same assignment for two courses without advance permission from both teachers.

Plagiarism, whether intentional or unintentional, will result in dismissal from the program. Students who are unsure about the proper presentation of their work should consult their course instructor.

Class Participation

Class attendance is mandatory. A student who misses multiple class sessions will not receive a Statement of Completion, even if those absences are excused. Unexcused absences can lead to dismissal from the program.

Students are expected to engage seriously in their courses through both class participation and completion of assigned work. Disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.

The Dean's Leadership Awards

Each program session, the Dean’s Leadership Awards are presented to those students who best exemplify the Programs’ values of academic excellence and community support. Awards are distributed for Community Service, Peer Leadership, and Academic Excellence.

Commuter Student Housing & Supervision

All admitted commuter students must provide documentation as part of the enrollment process that they will live at a residence that includes direct adult supervision in the form of family members or family friends who will live in the same residence. Students must attest that they will not take unsupervised housing in the form of hotel rooms, Airbnb rentals, hostels or other such accommodation.

Community Standards

The Community Standards are designed to ensure the safety and well-being of the students and the integrity of the University. They are strictly enforced and failure to abide by them results in dismissal from the program, normally on the first offense.

The determination as to whether a student has violated the Community Standards is made by program staff, teachers, and administrators.

Students who are dismissed from the program do not receive evaluation letters or Statements of Completion. No portion of fees or tuition will be refunded to a student who has been dismissed. Upon dismissal, students are required to make arrangements for immediate departure. Students who have been dismissed are not permitted to return to campus for the duration of the program.

Protection of Minors at Columbia

Columbia University is committed to promoting a safe environment for minors who participate in our programs and activities. We have taken a number of important steps to establish safeguards for your child:

  • We have revised our policy on Reporting Suspected Abuse and Maltreatment of Minors.
  • We have established clear requirements for reporting abuse and maltreatment.
  • We have widely disseminated a flyer reminding employees and volunteers how to make a report.
  • We have developed a website that contains valuable information on the protection of minors at Columbia.
  • We are educating members of the University community about the signs of abuse and maltreatment and how to make a report.
  • We are requiring certain categories of adults who participate in programs or activities involving minors to clear criminal background checks and other screening requirements.

You can read the University’s policy and access other helpful resources here.

Discrimination, Harassment or Gender-Based Misconduct

Columbia University is committed to fostering an environment that is free from gender-based discrimination and harassment, including sexual assault and all other forms of gender-based misconduct. The University recognizes its responsibility to increase awareness of such misconduct, prevent its occurrence, diligently investigate reports of misconduct, support students and others who experience gender-based misconduct, and respond fairly and firmly when students violate University policy. The University is also committed to supporting students accused of gender-based misconduct who go through the disciplinary process. In addressing issues of gender-based misconduct, all members of the University must respect and care for one another in a manner consistent with our deeply held academic and community values.

You can read the Program’s Discrimination, Harassment or Gender-Based Misconduct policy here.