Dress Code Policy
The College Prep Program dress code aims to promote an educational-focused environment that will reduce disruptions and distractions to learning and enrichment.
We are committed to creating an environment that promotes individuality and ownership in one’s appearance.
Scholars are expected to wear appropriate attire at all times. Scholars must adhere to this dress code while participating in and representing the College Prep Program, including but not limited to Summer Academy and Academic Year Programming. This dress code will be enforced on the campus of Washington University in St. Louis and the St. Louis community.
The following is a list to inform scholars and caregivers/guardians of dress expectations. Scholars wearing clothing items that violate the dress code will be asked to change into appropriate attire.
- Clothing promoting or endorsing disruptive behaviors, non-inclusiveness, drugs, sex, alcohol, violence, gangs, or illegal activities is not permitted.
- Comfortable footwear should be worn at all times including closed toe shoes during lab for personal safety. Scholars can expect to do a substantial amount of walking.
- Shorts, skorts, or skirts must extend below your fingertips.
- Sheer shirts, crop tops are not permitted.
- Undergarments worn as clothing or clothing exposing undergarments are not permitted.
- Scholars may wear sunglasses, caps, hooded sweatshirts, and hats outside to protect themselves from the weather; however, such items are not permitted to be worn inside classrooms or businesses under any circumstances.
Accountability Chart
The purpose of the Accountability Chart is to support the expectations of scholars to promote safety and well-being within the WashU College Prep Program community.
Verbal Warning by staff members
A verbal warning is a conversation between CPP staff members and scholars to discuss a disciplinary or behavioral problem openly. CPP staff members include College Prep leadership, Graduate Fellows, Program Assistants, session instructors, and Teaching Assistants. A verbal warning aims to bring disciplinary and behavioral problems to the scholar’s attention and remind them of rules and program expectations.
Verbal Warning by CPP leadership
A verbal warning with College Prep Leadership is a conversation between the College Prep Director or Program Coordinator(s) and scholar. Initiation of this step happens if disciplinary or behavioral problems continued after the first offense or behavior is of a certain level of severity. In that case, the Director or Program Coordinator(s) will discuss behavior and disciplinary behavior with the scholar and have written documentation.
CPP Director, parent/guardian and scholar meeting
The College Prep Program director will inform the scholar’s caregiver of the behavior. The Director’s meeting with the scholar’s caregiver(s) is the third step in the accountability process; during the meeting, parents/guardians review previous warnings given to scholar. Contingent on the severity of the offense, this may be the first step instead of the third. It is up to the discretion of the Director to have the scholar attend meetings with parents/guardians.
Immediate dismissal from the program
The Director of the College Prep Program at their discretion determines dismissal from the program. Parent/guardian will receive an official release letter outlining the reason for the scholar’s dismissal.
| Program Rule, Policy, Regulation Violation | First Offense | Second Offense | Third Offense | Fourth Offense |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Violation of published University policy, rules, or regulations | Immediate dismissal from the program | |||
| Violation of established College Prep Program policies | Immediate dismissal from the program | |||
| Any physical or verbal abuse or threatening physical or verbal abuse of any University community member, scholar, parents/guardians/caregiver, or visitor to the University. Physical abuse or threatening physical abuse of any member of the University community or visitor to the University. | Immediate dismissal from the program | |||
| Dangerous, disruptive, disorderly, lewd, indecent, violent or threatening conduct, disrespectful behavior, bullying, and stalking/harassment | Immediate dismissal from the program | |||
| Possession and/or use of illegal drugs in any form included but not limited to electronic cigarettes or other vaping devices | Immediate dismissal from the program | |||
| Possession of drug-related paraphernalia | Immediate dismissal from the program | |||
| Possession and/or use of prohibited items outlined on packing list. Items not permitted: tank tops/crop tops, short shorts, clothing with inappropriate messaging and illustrations, television or gaming console, microwave, mini-fridge, hot plates or candles, oil burners, and irreplaceable personal items (valuable jewelry, keepsakes, etc.) | Immediate dismissal from the program | |||
| Engaging in any sexual behavior during the program, including but not limited to any sexual coercion, harassment, or misconduct | Immediate dismissal from the program | |||
| Possession or use of weapons, explosives, fireworks, ammunition, lighters, or dangerous chemicals are prohibited | Immediate dismissal from the program | |||
| Knowingly possessing stolen property, theft, attempted theft, unauthorized taking or use of any University, public, or private property is strictly prohibited | Immediate dismissal from the program | |||
| Unauthorized entry, deliberate destruction of, damage to, malicious use of, or abuse of any University, public, or private property is prohibited | Immediate dismissal from the program | |||
| Intentionally or recklessly disabling, or causing the false activation of safety equipment, including, but not limited to, exit door alarms, emergency telephones, fire safety equipment, closed circuit television systems, emergency notification systems, and identification card and door access systems is prohibited | Immediate dismissal from the program | |||
| More than 2 excused absences from program activities including summer academy | CPP leadership meets with parent/guardian and scholar | Dismissal from the program | ||
| Academic or professional misconduct (i.e. cheating, plagiarism, fabrication of data or records, impermissible collaboration on assignments, violation of test-taking conditions, unauthorized use of electronic resources) | CPP leadership meets with parent/guardian and scholar | Dismissal from the program | ||
| Working in the laboratory without the instructor present. | Verbal Warning by CPP leadership, student staff, session instructor, professor or Teacher Assistant | Dismissal from the program | ||
| Late for announced curfew as a 3rd year scholar when living in the residence hall and not in assigned room (more than 10 minutes). If there is an emergency immediately call the CPP phone to speak with CPP staff on duty. | Verbal Warning by CPP Staff (Leadership, Grad Fellow, or Program Assistant) | CPP leadership meets with parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program | |
| Exiting room after set curfew has been given. If you have an emergency, immediately call the CPP phone to speak with CPP staff on duty. | Verbal Warning by CPP Staff (Leadership, Grad Fellow, or Program Assistant) | CPP leadership meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program | |
| Failure to abide by the dress code | Verbal Warning by CPP Staff (Leadership, Grad Fellow, or Program Assistant) | CPP leadership meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program | |
| Disengagement in academic activities (i.e. headphones in during class time, lack of participation, head down, charging electronic devices into wall sockets) | Verbal Warning by CPP leadership, student staff, session instructor, professor or Teacher Assistant | CPP director meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program | |
| Misuse of digital platforms, including but not limited to ZeeMee and social media, through inappropriate language, harassment, bullying, or sharing harmful or misleading content. Engaging in disrespectful, unprofessional, or disruptive online behavior that contradicts the values of the WashU College Prep Program. Sharing sensitive or personal information without consent, violating privacy, or misrepresenting the program in digital spaces. Failure to uphold responsible digital stewardship, including the misuse of online communities intended for academic and personal growth. | CPP director meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program | ||
| Frivolous activities, mischievous behavior, throwing items, and conducting pranks are prohibited. | Verbal Warning by CPP leadership, student staff, session instructor, professor or Teacher Assistant | CPP leadership meets with parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program | |
| Eating, drinking, chewing gum, using personal mobile devices or headphones, applying cosmetics, manipulating contact lenses, and other unsafe activities are prohibited in the laboratory. Please note: if you have an emergency and need to contact someone, please immediately inform staff and CPP leadership. | Verbal Warning by CPP leadership, student staff, session instructor, professor or Teacher Assistant | CPP leadership meets with parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program | |
| Using or charging cell phones during program activities, classes, and sessions when not authorized | Verbal Warning by Grad Fellow or Program Assistant | Device confiscated and returned at end of day | CPP leadership meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program |
| Late for Summer Academy and Academic Year check-ins with CPP Staff | Verbal Warning by CPP leadership, student staff, session instructor, professor or Teacher Assistant | CPP leadership meets with scholar | Dismissal from the program | |
| Failure to wear splash goggles or safety glasses during activities or demonstrations in the classroom, laboratory, or field including pre-lab work and clean-up. | Verbal Warning by CPP leadership, student staff, session instructor, professor or Teacher Assistant | CPP leadership meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Director meets with scholar and parents/guardians | Dismissal from the program |
| Failure to wear appropriate size apron and ensure it remains tied throughout the activity or investigation. | Verbal Warning by CPP leadership, student staff, session instructor, professor or Teacher Assistant | CPP leadership meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Director meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program |
| Not dressing appropriately for laboratory work by protecting your body with clothing and shoes. 1. Hair ties to tie back long hair and tuck it into a collar. 2. No loose or baggy clothes and dangling jewelry on laboratory days. 3. Acrylic nails are a safety hazard near heat sources and should not be used. 4. No sandals or open-toed shoes during lab activities. | Verbal Warning by CPP leadership, student staff, session instructor, professor or Teacher Assistant | CPP leadership meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Director meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program |
| Failure to immediately report all accidents, chemical spills, and injuries to instructor. | Verbal Warning by CPP leadership, student staff, session instructor, professor or Teacher Assistant | CPP leadership meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Director meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program |
| Handling organisms without specific instructor authorization. | Verbal Warning by CPP leadership, student staff, session instructor, professor or Teacher Assistant | CPP leadership meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Director meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program |
| Not wearing laboratory gloves for hand protection throughout the entirety of an activity. | Verbal Warning by CPP leadership, student staff, session instructor, professor or Teacher Assistant | CPP leadership meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Director meets with scholar and parent/guardian | Dismissal from the program |