We are excited to welcome you to Berklee's world-class pre-college Summer Programs. We trust that you will gain far-reaching benefits from your time at Berklee, and we aim to provide you with a memorable, practical, and fun learning experience, both in and out of the classroom. By enrolling in any of Berklee’s pre-college Summer Programs,students accept the responsibility to become fully acquainted and comply with the rules and policies herein, to respect the rights and property of others, and to recognize that their actions reflect upon the individuals involved as well as the entire community. Berklee also exists in a larger society, and therefore, local, state, and federal laws can and do apply to your activity on and off campus. Additionally, Berklee strives to be a good neighbor and recognizes the importance of maintaining amicable relationships with local residents and businesses. Students should be aware that the jurisdiction of the institution extends beyond the physical boundaries of the campus. Activities that harm the reputation of Berklee, cause problems for members of the greater community, or suggest that an individual may pose a threat to others will result in disciplinary action. Berklee expects our students to uphold the standards and values of our community and to conduct themselves as individuals who contribute positively to our campus culture. The policies of Berklee are under continuing examination and revision. This compendium of rules and policies is not a contract, but it does present the policies and procedures that students are responsible for knowing and complying with. It presents the policies in effect at the time of publication and in no way guarantees that the policies will not change. For more information on any facet of our programming preparation or student life experience, please visit our Help Center.
Definition of Student
In this document the word “student” refers specifically to pre-college Summer Programs students, and does not refer to undergraduate students, graduate students, or other students or modalities.
Attendance Policy
Berklee expects our Summer Programs students to attend all classes, including electives and ensembles where applicable, for the duration of their respective programs. If an absence is unavoidable, through illness or other reasons, residence hall staff and/or the relevant program director or related staff should be notified as soon as possible at the contact information below. Students who are ill should visit the Nurses' Station during operating hours. The nurses on staff will assist all registered pre-college students and will provide the equivalent of a doctor's note to show relevant faculty or staff at the next available opportunity.
Students who are absent for more than a day during any program without reporting illness or an emergency situation, and are unable to be located in a timely fashion, are subject to immediate dismissal and removal from the program at the discretion of the Summer Programs leadership team. Full attendance and participation is required throughout the program in order to promote a positive learning experience and outcome for all.
Excused Absence Policy
For these types of situations, a parent or legal guardian is required to complete and submit the Overnight Release Request Form to request a night away from campus, and the request will be reviewed promptly. Please note, submission of this form only serves as a request and does not guarantee approval. All requests must be made at least 7 days in advance. If a request is made less than 7 days in advance, it will be denied unless it is an emergency. Requests may be verified with the parent or guardian only in writing by email. Approval or denial of the Overnight Release Request is done at the discretion of the Summer Programs staff, and all decisions are final. If the request is approved, the student is expected to be present in the residence halls by or before curfew on the evening of their stated return. If the request is denied, a student is expected to continue being present in classes and in their residence hall at or before curfew, or they will be subject to disciplinary action.
If you have any questions please contact the Summer Programs advising team at summer@berklee.edu.
Curfew Policy
Curfew Policy and Compliance Terms
Section I - Curfew Time:
All students who are minors, in addition to non-minor students residing in residence halls housing minors, shall adhere to a mandatory curfew of 10:30 p.m. local time, effective seven days a week. Notwithstanding a change in age to 18 years during the program duration, the original curfew time of 10:30 p.m. remains applicable.
Section II - Post-Curfew Activities:
Upon completion of the nightly curfew check, students are required to remain within their respective residence hall buildings until 7:00 a.m. the subsequent morning.
Section III - Curfew Check Obligations:
Each enrolled student bears the responsibility of being physically present within the confines of their assigned residence hall room at the time of the nightly curfew check. Students must be behind the threshold of their room door and shall present their Berklee-issued identification upon staff's arrival for curfew verification. Non-compliance with this stipulation is deemed a breach of these Terms and Conditions.
Section IV - Staff Compliance:
Students are obliged to comply with directives issued by Berklee staff responsible for curfew checks and shall conduct themselves respectfully toward such staff. Non-compliance or disrespect toward staff members is subject to disciplinary measures, potentially culminating in program expulsion.
Section V - Disciplinary Actions:
Berklee College of Music reserves the right to institute disciplinary action, up to and including immediate removal from the program, for violations of this curfew policy. No refunds or credits shall be granted for any such removals.
Section VI - Parental or Guardian Exceptions:
Should a parent or legal guardian temporarily remove the student from campus, the student remains obligated to adhere to the aforementioned curfew time within their designated residence hall room. No ad-hoc exceptions, based solely on parental or legal guardian discretion, shall be recognized as valid reasons for curfew leniency.
Section VII - Notification of Special Circumstances:
Parents or legal guardians must inform senior-level Summer Programs staff in the event of any extenuating circumstances requiring an absence from campus, thereby impacting curfew adherence. Such notice must be communicated either through submission of requisite forms no fewer than seven (7) days prior to the expected absence, or through immediate contact with a Summer Programs administrator in emergent situations.
Section VIII - Residence Hall Assignments:
Program participants are required to sleep in their assigned rooms as per their housing arrangements.
Program participants under age 18 are not permitted to have guests in their room. Only students who are assigned to a room may be present in that room at any given time.
Failure to comply with the terms articulated herein constitutes a material breach of this Residence Hall Contract and may lead to immediate expulsion from Summer Programs, devoid of refund or credit.
The curfew policy does not apply to program students living off campus, who are not allowed in the residence halls.
Parental Notification
For all programs other than the Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive: Parents and/or legal guardians of any minor-aged students will be notified after the first unexcused absence, and any further absence from core classes or electives could result in the intervention of the program directors or the removal from any/all final events without refund. Parents may also be notified in the case of curfew violations, conduct issues (including if a complaint is filed with the Equity & Title IX office against the student), if the student is experiencing any physical health challenges (e.g., hospitalization), or mental health emergency.
For Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive students: At Aspire: Five-Week Summer Program, attendance is crucial to a student’s success and safety in the program. Therefore, we take attendance seriously. We have the following guidelines set in place for unexcused absences. Failure to follow any of these guidelines may impact a student's performance in the program. An unexcused absence is the failure to attend any class session during the day, without notice or valid reason.
- Two (2) unexcused absences: Students will receive an email from the Attendance Officer (fiveweek_attendance@berklee.edu) for their first two unexcused absences. Students are required to respond to the email ASAP and detail why they missed class. Emergency Contact will be CCed on this email (unless the student is over 18).
- Three (3) unexcused absences: Students will be required to meet with the Attendance Officer in the William Davis room of 150 Boylston.
- Four (4) unexcused absences: A meeting will be set up between the Attendance Officer and the student's Emergency Contact to discuss attendance issues and strategies for student success.
- Five (5) unexcused absences: Students with five (5) or more unexcused absences are placed on “Academic Notice.” The Attendance Officer will work closely with students on Academic Notice to ensure that they attend their classes and succeed in the program. Students on Academic Notice who continue to miss classes may receive disciplinary action and possible dismissal from the program.
- Twelve (12) unexcused absences: Once a student reaches twelve (12) unexcused absences, they may be dismissed from the program. Any unexcused absences past the three-warning system will result in a grade of “U” on the student's grades and transcript report, which stands for “insufficient attendance for proper evaluation.” As a reminder, prolonged or excessive absences are grounds for early dismissal from Aspire without refunds for the program’s fees or housing.
Parents may also be notified in the case of curfew violations, conduct issues (including if a complaint is filed with the Equity & Title IX office against the student), if the student is experiencing any physical health challenges (e.g., hospitalization), or mental health emergency.
In order to earn college credit from the Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive, students must achieve a minimum grade of B in the following mandatory courses:
- Theory in Performance
- Musicianship
- The Student's Private Instruction
- The Student's Primary Section of Ensemble
Withdrawal Policy
To withdraw from a program, students must email a written withdrawal notice to summer@berklee.edu (for in-person programs) or registrar@online.berklee.edu (for online programs) with the following:
- the student’s full legal name
- the name of the program from which the student would like to withdraw
- the student’s ID number, if available
Requests to withdraw will not be accepted over the phone. If a student withdraws after arriving to campus, they must also complete an exit interview with the program director or a member of the Summer Programs leadership. For information on refund eligibility and other details, please visit the Summer Programs website.
Voluntary Exit
If a student and/or parent/guardian chooses for the student to leave prior to the end of the program, the student and parent/guardian must notify a member of staff or faculty. In this case, there will be no refund of tuition or fees.
Conduct Policies
Berklee endeavors to provide a living and learning environment in which students can meet their creative, artistic, and personal goals. All members of the Berklee community are responsible for preserving an environment conducive to the pursuit of Berklee’s mission and programs.
Below are examples of the behavioral standards that are expected of all students while enrolled in any program. These standards are designed and enforced for the safety and well-being of all the program participants. Failure to abide by these standards may lead to immediate removal from the program and/or Berklee housing without reimbursement of fees.
- Berklee expects program participants to act in a respectful, considerate, and responsible manner at all times. All participants are expected to abide by the rules outlined in this Rules & Policies document.
- All program participants must abide by and are subject to all Berklee processes and procedures, including but not limited to those outlined in the Student Code of Community Standards and the Equity and Title IX Policies, as applicable. Students are expected to maintain a safe environment. Therefore, illegal behavior, including but not limited to possession and/or use of drugs and/or alcohol or paraphernalia; possession of weapons, firearms, or explosives; and physical violence and/or assault, is in violation of these standards. There is zero tolerance for violation of this policy, and such a violation will result in immediate removal from the program and housing. For further information on these rules please refer to the Student Code of Community Standards.
- Students are expected to act with respect for the well-being and rights of others. Any verbal or physical conduct that is demeaning or threatening is in violation of these standards, including but not limited to bullying, sexual misconduct, harassment or assault, and/or hazing. Berklee is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment that is free of acts of violence, harassment, or sexual misconduct that undermine the creation of a campus and program climate that supports, nurtures, and rewards educational advancement on the basis of ability and performance. All students are subject to this policy and are strongly encouraged to report any incidents of sexual assault or harassment that they are made aware of.
- Students are expected to conduct themselves with honesty and integrity. Therefore, lying, cheating, and deceitful behavior, including falsification of documents, telephone fraud, and computer violations, are violations of these standards.
- Any activity that is a violation of Massachusetts General Law c. 265, s. 23 (commonly known as the statutory rape law), regarding statutory rape and abuse of a child, is unlawful and in violation of our standards. Students are advised that by law, Berklee may be required to report this and any other behavior in violation of Massachusetts General Law c. 119 s. 54A to state authorities, and such behavior may also be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program without reimbursement of tuition and fees. Massachusetts law defines a child as someone under the age of 16.
- Students are expected to cooperate with program faculty and staff as well as the directions of Berklee administrators. If a student repeatedly breaks program rules; does not abide by the verbal or written directives of the Summer Programs staff, faculty, or of other Berklee administrators, including Residence Life staff; or does not otherwise follow program procedures, the student may be dismissed for accumulation of such incidents.
Disciplinary Action
If a student is alleged to have violated a standard of conduct, a meeting with one or more members of the program’s leadership team will take place to discuss the behavior and appropriate outcome, and parents will be notified where appropriate. Except as otherwise noted, the outcome is final, and there is no appeal process for violations of conduct. If the violation results in dismissal from the program, the participant will have 24 hours to vacate their residential building. It is the responsibility of the dismissed student’s family to make travel and housing arrangements for their student. Early dismissal due to policy violation will result in removal from housing without refund.
Additionally, if a student is deemed by program staff or Berklee administrators to be a threat to the safety of the community, they may be immediately suspended and removed from campus housing. If this is the case, the parent/guardian will be contacted, and it is their responsibility to ensure that the student is immediately removed from campus, pending further investigation into the alleged incident. Domestic and international students are bound by these policies.
Drugs: Marijuana Policy
Federal law and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act (DFSCA) make possession and use of marijuana on campus illegal, even if state law allows for legal use of medical or recreational marijuana. Therefore, Berklee does not permit medical or recreational use of marijuana anywhere on campus.
The following is a partial list of behaviors prohibited by this policy. It is intended to serve as a guide to appropriate behavior and is not an exhaustive list:
- the use or possession of marijuana including medical, synthetic, wax, oil, or other compounds of marijuana
- the use or possession of marijuana paraphernalia including but not limited to bongs, pipes, vaporizers, rolling papers, grinders, etc.
- being present in a room/space or providing a room/space where a marijuana violation is taking place
- sale, service, provision, or production of marijuana or any marijuana product
- exhibiting signs of being under the influence of marijuana (such as altered mental state, vomiting, agitation, smelling like marijuana, etc.)
- strong smell of marijuana in room
Additionally, any substance that is suspected to be used in a manner inconsistent with its labeling may be cause for disciplinary action or removal from the program.
Students who are found responsible for violating this policy will face disciplinary action up to removal from their Summer Program.
Alcohol Policy
Alcoholic drinks are prohibited in our residence halls and all college properties for all Summer Programs students regardless of age.
The following are a guide to which behaviors involving alcohol are prohibited on campus and can lead to removal from the Summer Programs:
- the use or possession of alcohol in any container
- being present in a room/space or providing a room/space where an alcohol violation is taking place
- sale, service, provision, or production of alcohol
- exhibiting signs of being under the influence of alcohol (such as altered mental state, vomiting, agitation, smelling like alcohol, etc.)
- strong smell of alcohol in room
Students who are found responsible for violating this policy will face disciplinary action up to removal from their Summer Program.
Chosen Name Policy
Berklee recognizes that members of our community use names other than their legal names. To reinforce the importance of identity within our inclusive community, Berklee has established this policy which allows community members to be recognized as often as possible by their chosen name regardless of their legal name. These may include individuals who prefer to use:
- a name that better represents the individual’s gender identity
- a name to which the individual is in the process of legally changing
- a middle name or nickname instead of a first name
- an anglicized name
- an abbreviated name (i.e., Rob instead of Robert)
To make a change to a student’s name in Berklee’s data systems, please email summer@berklee.edu.
False Reporting
A student who reports false emergencies including fake fires/bombs will be dismissed from the program. This includes pulling any fire alarm in a non-emergency situation.
Health Insurance
Domestic or international students are technically not required to obtain health insurance in order to attend the programs. However, students are strongly advised to obtain insurance that will cover the cost of medical needs during the length of the program. Students and their families are financially responsible for any costs incurred in treatment while participating in Berklee summer programs. Berklee does not provide health insurance for students and is not liable for healthcare costs resulting from treatment by third-party healthcare providers, such as urgent care centers or hospital facilities. If considering purchasing health insurance specifically for the program, be sure that it will cover the student in the US and in the specific state where the program will take place. While we cannot recommend a specific provider or plan, some previous students have used the following:
Ultimately, students are responsible for independently finding a solution that best fits their needs and budget.
On Campus Nurse and Healthcare Facilities
Title IX Equity Policies and Processes
Berklee’s Title IX and Equity Policies and Processes are intended to advance our goals of inclusion, respect, and equality for all community members. The Equity Office works to enforce and uphold these policies, which prohibit and address sexual misconduct, discrimination, and/or harassment based on protected characteristics. These policies also respond to alleged misconduct by third parties (i.e., visitors, independent contractors, and others who are neither students nor employees) where their conduct is directed toward or otherwise affects or may affect Berklee community members.
To File a Report:
If a student has experienced discrimination, identity-based harassment, or sexual violence while engaging with Berklee, we want to support them and ensure that they are able to fully access all resources. Students wishing to report an incident and/or seek support measures or accommodations may do so by:
- emailing equity@berklee.edu
- submitting an anonymous form online (please know that all reports submitted are documented by the College; however, we are limited in our ability to respond to or act on an anonymous report)
- contacting the chief equity officer and Interim Title IX Coordinator, Tracy Kennedy
- contacting the Deputy for Equity and Interim Title IX Intake and Support, Amanda Bedford
If a Student Is the Subject of a Report:
If a student is accused of a Title IX or equity policy violation during their time at the program, they have the right to access the support and resources of our Equity Office so that the student may continue in their program without disruption to the extent possible. We can assist in identifying an advisor and connecting the student with counseling and other resources. We respond to allegations of equity policy violations informally or by a formal investigation, depending on the circumstances. We reserve the right to determine if a student is a threat to the Berklee community. In that instance, we may dismiss the student from the program immediately, pending further investigation. That decision is final.
Accessibility Services
Berklee is committed to removing barriers that prevent qualified individuals with disabilities from enjoying the same opportunities that are available to persons without disabilities. The institution is committed to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of our community.
Accommodations are available for students with disabilities. Accommodations for students enrolled in one of Berklee's summer programs are created through an interactive process that includes the student, the faculty, the Office of Housing and Residential Education, a dietitian, and the Accessibility Resources for Students staff. Students can request academic, housing, and dietary accommodations; please see our Help Center for details on securing accommodations and more information.
Facilities Use
Students of Berklee Summer Programs are permitted to use facilities as outlined by program staff and faculty at the outset of the program. Students are not permitted to use facilities outside of those designated for individual programs.
Counseling Services
As students prepare for their arrival, while it may be exciting, we recognize that they will experience new and perhaps ongoing stressors during their time here that may impact their mental health.
If students already have a mental health team at home, we recommend working with current providers on a plan to attend to their mental health while away from home: planning for medication, checking if telehealth is an option, identifying what support persons can be available to them in a crisis, identifying local emergency rooms in the event of a crisis, etc.
In the event of a mental health crisis, Summer Programs staff might refer students to Berklee's Counseling Services for support.
Students in crisis or who have a mental health emergency should call Public Safety at 617-747-8888 to be connected to the on-call team for further support. They may also call 988 (The National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline) or 911, or go to a local emergency room for assistance.
Dismissal from the Program
Students who are dismissed early from any of the programs due to behaviors that put the health and safety of the Berklee community at risk may have their eligibility revoked to enroll in future Summer Programs, or as an undergraduate or graduate at the institution. Additionally, students who are dismissed from Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive at any point in the program due to any violation of the rules outlined in this document or in the Student Code of Community Standards will revoke their eligibility to earn college credit from participating in Aspire.
Additional Information for Parents/Guardians
In addition to students being responsible for adhering to the Summer Programs Rules & Policies, parents/guardians are equally responsible for supporting these rules and policies. Berklee reserves the right to dismiss any currently enrolled student if the student's parents/guardians are not cooperative and/or have any complaint with any of Berklee's policies and procedures. In addition, Berklee reserves the right to deny admission to future pre-college programs for similar reasons. Berklee also reserves the right to dismiss a student if their parents/guardians have misled Berklee about the student's history, including but not limited to behavior, physical and emotional health, and/or school or musical experience.
Contact Summer Programs
Visit the Berklee Summer Programs Help Center for information about our programs, housing, health and wellness services, and more.
Phone: +1 617-747-2245 or toll-free at +1 877-BERKLEE (US and Canada)
Email: summer@berklee.edu