Student Life

In addition to their course work, CTY Civic Leadership Institute participants enjoy a rich experience outside of the classroom. They live on a college campus in a unique urban neighborhood, and participate in a variety of fun afternoon and weekend activities. More importantly, they get to know other like-minded peers – diverse students who share their exceptional academic abilities, as well as their interest in learning about their communities and becoming more active citizens and leaders.

Housing & Campus Facilities
All CTY Civic Leadership Institute participants live in one dormitory on campus, on single-sex halls with their resident assistants (RAs). Each RA group has approximately 15 students. Most students are assigned to double rooms, but we cannot guarantee a particular housing arrangement to any student. Students on the same hall share bathrooms. During supervised recreational time, students may socialize in lounges and common spaces; however, at no time are students permitted to enter opposite-sex rooms. Students also have limited access to other campus facilities, including libraries, computer labs, and athletic facilities.

Recreational Activities
Outside of class, students participate in a variety of activities facilitated by the residential staff, including sports, games, arts, and volunteer projects. Many afternoons, students also have the option of signing out with a student buddy to take short trips to recreational sites on and around campus, including parks, bookstores, and cafes. Activities are designed so that there is something for everyone, and students often have the option of relaxing in the residence hall instead. Weekends are spent on day trips to service or recreational sites throughout the city, including local tourist attractions, museums, and neighborhood tours. Weekend nights are dedicated to all-campus social events, such as dances, movies, and a talent show. In addition, there is free time each evening for students to socialize with their peers. Throughout the residential program, we focus on helping students have a good time in a safe, supervised environment.

Typical Daily Schedule

Student ConductWe expect our students to meet the highest standards of behavior, both in personal conduct and in dedication to academic pursuits. To this end, students must adhere to the Center for Talented Youth Honor Code, which requires them to uphold personal and academic integrity, respect the ideas and property of others, and ensure that those around them do the same.

In addition, students are expected to:

• strive to do the best work possible in their courses
• respect individuals of different races, cultures, religions, genders, sexual orientations, ages, disabilities, and national origins
• behave in a friendly, cooperative, and responsible manner toward all persons in the CTY community and in the larger college and local communities
• attend all class sessions, meals, activities, and meetings
• observe all rules for student conduct.

Upon acceptance into the program students and parents will learn more about our standards for behavior. Specific rules for this program may vary from other CTY programs in order to accommodate an older student population and a more urban setting. Nonetheless, community standards throughout our summer programs are basic and consistent. They include a commitment to academic integrity, respect for all members of the community, regard for the basic rules of physical safety, and cooperation with adult supervision.

Students and parents should note that while the CTY Civic Leadership Institute is designed with the academic and recreational interests of an older age group in mind, the program is still highly structured, and operates with a strict set of rules regarding campus and community boundaries and appropriate staff supervision.

Students may be dismissed from the program for any of the following reasons:

• not attending to their academic work in a satisfactory manner
• cheating, plagiarizing, or committing other acts of academic dishonesty
• being outside campus or community boundaries, or leaving campus, without permission
• being in an opposite-sex room
• leaving their halls after lights-out
• stealing or vandalizing property
• keeping prescription or over-the-counter medication in their possession
• possessing/using tobacco, alcohol, or drugs
• bullying or hazing
• undermining the safety or well-being of self or others (including threats).