Community Standards & Disciplinary Procedures for Students
Welcome to EF! You are responsible for following our standards during your stay. If you have difficulty understanding anything in this document, please talk to a member of the EF staff, and we will be happy to go over it with you. If these rules are broken, individuals will be required to leave EF at their own expense and subject to fines or other disciplinary action.
The opportunity to participate in this academic community requires individual responsibilities. By choosing to come to EF, you indicate knowledge and acceptance of the responsibilities outlined in this document. Three general principles guide EF’s Community Standards:
• Respect for Academic Integrity
• Respect for People
• Respect for Property
If the rules and responsibilities outlined in this document are broken, the progressive discipline process will be followed:
Rule violation Disciplinary action
1st offense Behavioral contract
2nd offense
Behavioral contract, first and second warnings sent to your Admissions Office at home and parents.
3rd offense Loss of EF accommodation or expulsion from the program.
Please note that even as a first offense, a serious violation of EF policy could result in multiple warnings, immediate expulsion from EF accommodations, or expulsion from your program. Violent behavior or the use of illegal drugs w ill result in an automatic expulsion and visa termination.
Academics
Students are required to attend 80% of their classes to stay in visa status. Students may be asked to leave the program if they do not meet their attendance requirements. Classes start as scheduled, and if a student is late for class, he/she will be marked absent. Students move levels at the teacher’s discretion. English must always be spoken during class. Please refer to the full EF Attendance Policy in the Student Handbook, Welcome Packet, or posted outside the Academic Office.
Alcohol
Alcohol is not allowed on the Campus or at EF Host Homes. The legal age for drinking and buying alcohol in the United States is 21. It is against the law for people over the age of 21 to purchase or provide alcohol to a person under the age of 21. The state also prohibits drinking in public areas or in places where there is no alcohol permit. Any alcohol found on the EF Campus will be confiscated. Any evidence of drinking is
Drugs
Community Standards & Disciplinary Procedures for Students
considered a violation and will result in a warning. Even if you are not drinking but are found in a room where students are drinking, you will be held accountable as though you were consuming alcohol.
The possession, use, distribution, or sale of drugs is illegal in the United States. Massachusetts has specific laws regarding marijuana in the state; however, EF follows the Federal Law and prohibits recreational drug use on Campus. Any student found in possession of illegal drugs, unauthorized use of prescription medication, or paraphernalia (ex., Water pipes, bongs, grinders, etc.) on EF property or in EF accommodation will be immediately expelled from the EF program. If drugs are found in a dorm room or at an EF Activity, all students present will be held accountable.
Smoking & Open Flames
Smoking is a serious fire hazard. Smoking is prohibited throughout the EF Campus, as are candles, incense, or any other open flame. Smoking also includes the use of vaporizers. Any evidence of smoking or open flame is considered a violation and will result in a warning. Outside the EF building, please use ashtrays and only smoke in the designated area. Smoking inside the EF building incurs a $100 cleaning fee
Firearms/Explosives/Weapons
Possession of firearms, ammunition, and explosives (firecrackers) is strictly prohibited. Any student found in possession of these items will be expelled from the EF program. Possession of weapons (including, but not limited to, hunting knives, swords, paintball guns, etc.) on school grounds is strictly prohibited.
Identification Card
Your EF ID cards should be worn around your neck at all times while on campus. Please swipe your card at the security desk and you enter and exit the building. Students must turn ID cards over whenever asked by EF Boston security and staff. You are not permitted to share your EF ID card with anyone else at any time. Doing so will result in a disciplinary warning.
Behavior
Mutual respect is an essential aspect of this environment. Students may not engage in any behavior that emotionally or physically harms any person or group. Racism, fighting, and harassment will not be tolerated. Any student who assaults another person will be expelled from the EF program.
We expect all EF Boston students to be respectful of all EF Boston personnel (faculty, staff, and security). Physical or verbal harassment of EF Boston personnel will not be tolerated.
Community Standards & Disciplinary Procedures for Students
Curfew
All minor students (17 and younger) have a curfew of 10 pm nightly. You must check in at the front desk every night between 9 pm and 10 pm with your EF student ID. Exceptions are given for EF activities or with a Curfew Permission for Minors form, completed by parent/guardian and approved by the School Director for a specific event You can request this form at the Administrative Office or at the Reception Desk. Missing curfew will result in a warning. Minor students cannot travel independently and must complete a Travel Permission for Minors form and have it approved by the School Director prior to a trip with family members; minors may not travel overnight with adult students. If you have any questions, please speak with the Director of Housing prior to planning a trip.
Safety
While residing in Boston it is important to always keep safety in mind. When you are traveling at night, it is best to travel in groups. Be mindful of your valuables (iPhones, iPads, jewelry, etc.), and do not carry large amounts of money with you. Especially downtown, avoid unlit areas after dark (parks, alleys, etc.). For your safety, you should only be accessing parts of the building intended for students. For example, students are not allowed on the roof and students with rooms that access the roof will be liable for any guests that access the roof through their room. Check your MyEF app for emergency notifications.
Theft
All forms of theft are illegal in the United States. Please be aware that anyone caught stealing on or off campus will be interrogated by police and may be expelled from the EF program. EF is not liable for the damage, theft, or loss of the personal property of students or their guests. Students are advised to keep their doors locked at all times, and never leave valuables out or unattended.
Damage
Please be respectful of our Campus and take pride in it! The destruction or theft of all EF property (such as furniture, books, carpeting, games, etc.) is prohibited. Students responsible for damage will be required to pay for the repairs or replacement.
Emergency Alarm & Evacuation
The building is equipped with an emergency alarm and fire system. When the alarm sounds, everyone must leave the building immediately, regardless of time of day or weather conditions. Proceed calmly down the stairs and out the nearest exit to the backyard and wait for further instructions. If you see a fire, please call 911 and activate the nearest fire alarm pull station. In the event of any other emergency please call the EF Emergency phone (+1-857-919-6222) or 911. Any student found violating the Emergency Alarm & Evacuation policy will lose their EF accommodations or be expelled from EF.
Community Standards & Disciplinary Procedures for Students
Unlawful Sex
In the state of Massachusetts, it’s against the law to have sex with someone under the age of 16, even if both people agree to have sex. For any sexual activity to happen, everyone needs to consent or say yes, willingly and freely. You have the right to feel safe and comfortable and can exercise this right by saying ‘yes’, ‘no’ and ‘I’m not sure, so let’s take a break’. If you have any reason to believe the person you are with is not willing to have sex with you, you must walk away. If you feel uncomfortable or threatened, notify Security or a member of Team EF immediately.
Check Out Process
Before checking out of the dorm at the end of the course, students must clean their room, put the linens in the laundry bin, and return the room key and Student ID to the Front Desk. Check out time in the dorm is Saturday between 9:00am-11:00am. Students residing in a Host Home should return their Student ID on their last day off class. All outstanding student bills or fines must be settled with EF and the student’s host family, if applicable, before this time.
Parking
If you wish to park on campus, please register your car at the Admin Office for an available spot. Unsafe driving in the parking lot may result in loss of parking privileges.
Living at EF International House (residence)
Students are expected to treat their rooms with respect All beds, closets, dressers, study tables, chairs, air conditioners must remain in the room at all times. Outside furniture is not permitted and should not be moved from common areas. All beds must remain bunked Students should report damage to the Administration or submit a maintenance request using the QR code found on the “Evacuation Plan” posted in each dorm. If there is damage to a room and no one claims responsibility, the cost of repair will be split equally among the residents of the dormitory.
Assigned Rooms
All residence students are assigned a bed on campus. Students are not allowed to sleep in any other bed that does not belong to them. Students are not allowed to move rooms without permission from the Housing Director. Allowing a student to sleep in a bed in your room or sleeping in a bed in a different room will result in a $50 cleaning fee
Cleaning
Students are responsible for keeping their rooms clean. For those who live in the residence, shared bathrooms and common areas will be cleaned daily. Any excess cleaning will be charged to the student at his/her departure. Students will be asked to clean their rooms should the staff determine that the room violates our
Community Standards & Disciplinary Procedures for Students
clean room expectations. Littering in the hallways and classrooms will also not be tolerated. Students caught littering will be subject to disciplinary action.
Room Assignments & Keys
Students are required to lock their doors when they leave the room and keep their key with them at all times. Room assignments are made prior to arrival and are assigned based on gender, age, and home country. Room changes may only be arranged through the Housing Department. There is a $50 fee for lost or unreturned keys.
Appliances & Cooking
Hot pots, refrigerators, hot plates, toasters, coffee makers, rice cookers, irons, air conditioners, and heaters are prohibited in dorm rooms. These items are fire hazards and will be confiscated if found in dorm rooms. Fridges and microwaves are available in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floor lounges. A hot water tap for tea or ramen is available on the first floor near the Academic Office.
Room Checks
EF Staff, including Resident Advisors and Security, are authorized to enter and check a dorm room at any time to ensure the safety and wellness of all students. Resident Advisors will perform weekly Wellness Checks to check in with students and ensure the room is in good working order. Unauthorized items will be removed and taken to the Administrative Office.
Residence Quiet Hours
An atmosphere of mutual respect and consideration must be maintained 24 hours a day. Consider using headphones and taking calls in one of the student lounges.
All students are required to be quiet to observe Quiet Hours:
• Sunday – Thursday: 10:00 PM until 8:00 AM
• Friday and Saturday: 11:00 PM until 10:00 AM
• All lounges close at 10 PM, with the exception of the Lecture Hall, which closes at 12 AM, and the 1st & 2nd floor lounges, which are available 24/7 as long as rules are being respected.
Do not hang out, talk, or play music in the hallways. During Quiet Hours, visitors are not allowed in your room
At 10 PM nightly:
• No males are permitted on the fourth floor
• O utside guests a nd students who live with a host family must depart
Community Standards & Disciplinary Procedures for Students
• Please also be aware that the school is situated in a residential neighborhood – be respectful of our community by keeping the noise down at night.
Team EF wants you to enjoy your time here to the fullest learn a lot and have fun, too. The intention of the EF Community Standards is to create a warm, welcoming environment for all members of the Campus Community, students, and staff
Consequences for student misconduct may result in warnings, fines, loss of guests, community service, termination of accommodation, termination of the EF program, or a combination of these consequences. If you receive three written warnings, then you will be dismissed from your EF Boston program Please understand that a serious offense of any Community Standard may result in immediate termination from the program.
As an EF student and a visitor of both the State of Massachusetts and the United States, you are required to comply with the above rules and policies of EF, the City of Boston, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the United States.
I have read and understand the EF International Language School Community Standards for Students. I realize that disciplinary actions may be imposed on me should I fail to follow the above policies.
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Printed: First & Last Name