Cell Phone Policy
Students are discouraged from bringing cell phones to Summer Portals; however, we do realize that some students need them for travel purposes. When students arrive on campus, they will hand over their cell phones at registration. Phones will be locked away securely. A week later, on the middle Sunday of the session, students will be given their cell phones for one hour at dorm check-in. An hour later, phones will be collected again and stored securely. On the final Thursday of each session, students will receive their phones for the remainder of the program so that they can communicate with their parents and others about their departure details.
Many of our classes require students to bring laptops or iPads. During orientation for the session, students will drop off these other devices in their classrooms, which are locked daily. For the remainder of the program, students will have access to laptops and ipads during class time only when the teachers direct them to use them. During class time, students are prohibited from accessing their email, IM, social media, FaceTime, or any website or application that is unrelated to the class content. In class violations will result in a disciplinary response. Continued violations could result in suspension or dismissal from Summer Portals.
Rationale
Students tend to be heavily scheduled during the school year and they are often attached to their devices. Portals is designed to offer students an immersive, educational experience in one specific area which requires collaboration, engagement, and focus. Electronic distractions detract from this experience. Moreover, since our sessions last for two weeks, we believe it is important for students to develop friendships and community quickly, which can only occur when students are able to engage with each other in conversations. Finally, we believe this policy helps students overcome homesickness and develop resiliency. Ready access to phones and frequent calls to and from parents do not allow students to realize that adjustment is not a problem to be solved by their parents, but a normal part of adjusting to a new experience.
FAQs
What if there is an emergency? How can parents get in touch with their children or vice-versa? Each dorm room has a landline, and by calling security, parents can be put through to their child’s room. Students can receive calls on this phone, but cannot make long distance calls out. We urge parents to utilize this option only in cases of emergency, as frequent calls from parents can deepen homesickness and other adjustment issues. When a student has an emergency on campus or an adult decides that a student would benefit from talking to a parent or guardian, the school, administrators, and fellows have a number of cell phones or landlines at their disposal for such occasions.
What is the school’s response if a student keeps phones, computers, and/or iPads that they do not declare at registration or that they borrow from another student? If this is discovered, the item(s) will be confiscated. If this happens a second time, the student will be dismissed and no refunds will be offered.
My child uses an app on a cell phone to monitor certain medical conditions. Will the school make accommodations to support this use? Yes, by all means. We ask that parents contact us at least a month beforehand to arrange accommodations.
My child uses a phone as an alarm. How will they wake up on time? The fellows in each dorm will wake up students each morning for breakfast and classes.
