CAI Handbook

WELCOME

Thank you for choosing to attend the College Access Initiative program hosted the University of Arkansas. We are delighted you will be visiting campus to learn more about the UA and prepare for success and beyond. If you have any questions, please contact us at 479.575.8405 or at cai@uark.edu. We look forward to seeing you this summer.

College Access Initiative Staff:

• Sarah Draine (Director)
• Genaro Camarillo
• Pamela Faulkenberry-Fowlkes
• Emily Compean

COMMITMENT

It is our goal to maintain a fun, safe, and positive learning environment. To that end, we expect students to actively participate in all activities and to demonstrate a positive attitude and respectful behavior toward faculty, staff, and other students.  Failure to meet these expectations may result in dismissal from the program.

June ACT Academy:

Session 1: June 10-14

Session 2: June 22-25

Jump Start: July 16-19

Participation during the entire program is expected. Students can only attend the session that they have been invited to attend. Details with check-in and check-out will be sent at a later date. 

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS

We are proud that the University of Arkansas College Access Initiative (CAI) summer program students represent diverse experiences, lifestyles, and cultures. We expect all students to be interested in and welcoming of the many different people and ideas they’ll encounter while interacting with students, staff, and faculty and while participating in academic and recreational programming. Developing ways to navigate differences in opinion and ideas is an important part of the academic experience.

Please note that our schedule is very busy and structured, and we plan to provide a comprehensive collegiate experience. Students should not anticipate unsupervised free time.

Displaying threatening, violent, discriminatory, and/or prejudicial behavior toward ANY individual or yourself, whether verbally, nonverbally, or through clothing and accessories, is unacceptable. It is also expected that all ACT Academy/JumpStart participants comply with all standard Arkansas Laws and rules: use of illegal drugs and/or alcohol is strictly prohibited, per university policy and Arkansas law. Students who violate these expectations will be dismissed from the program and sent home at the family’s expense.

ILLNESS/INJURIES and CONSENT TO MEDICAL CARE

Parents/guardians are required to complete the “Emergency Medical Treatment Authorization” form. This document and the student’s social security number will allow the summer staff to authorize medical care for a student in case of illness, injury, or the event of emergency.

The University of Arkansas College Access Initiative purchases summer camp insurance for all participants, but the program insurance coverage applies only to injuries resulting from accidents occurring during programming. The injured student will be billed a $25 co-pay. The program’s accidental injury policy will not cover emergency room visits that are not accident-related. All medical bills related to illness are the responsibility of the student’s parents/guardians and will be billed and sent from the care provider.

DRESS

Students should bring appropriate clothing that meets the dress code requirements at their school (i.e. shorts, jeans, etc.) and walking shoes. Because students may visit a laboratory during the camp, athletic shoes are preferable to flip-flops or sandals on certain days. Students may also wish to bring an appropriate swimsuit and athletic gear for scheduled recreation time. As it is summer in Arkansas, it will typically be hot outside and cool inside. Please pack and dress accordingly.

HOUSING

University of Arkansas ACT Academy/Jump Start attendees will be housed in double-occupancy rooms in a UA Residence Hall, where a team of experienced residential mentors will provide 24-hour supervision.

Requests for specific roommates cannot be accommodated.  Students should bring twin bed linens, a blanket or comforter, a pillow, towels, and toiletries. On-site laundry facilities are available free of charge, but if they need to use them, students should bring their own detergent.

Privacy/Room Inspections

Students are expected to maintain clean rooms during ACT Academy/Jump Start. Program staff will walk through each room before check-in and at check-out to assess cleanliness and check for damage to rooms and furniture.

The Residence Halls are University property, so The University reserves the right to enter a student's room, whether the student is absent or present, for security, maintenance repairs, or health/safety inspection. The residential staff will conduct periodic room inspections to ensure the safety and welfare of students and preserve the cleanliness and upkeep of the rooms.

Replacement Fees

Students will be responsible for keeping track of their own room key and fob (needed to enter the residence and dining halls). A lanyard will be provided for both and will be required for entry to the dining hall each day. If lost, the participant pays replacement costs and not the program. The cost for replacements is as follows: Room key —$100 or more; lanyard and conference fob—$10 or more.

Telephone Use

Parents will be provided with staff phone numbers before the program begins. Students can bring and use mobile phones, but they will not be permitted to use them during academic programming—participants who misuse their phones during the program risk having their phones confiscated by staff. In the event this happens, the phone will be returned at the end of the class session.

Residence Hall Rules and Regulations

• Students should maintain clean rooms.

• Students may spend time in authorized areas at specific times. These areas include their individual assigned rooms and designated lounge areas. They do not include the stairwells or other floors. Being outside of designated spaces may result in dismissal from the program at the family’s expense.
• Trashcans are to be emptied in the trash chute on each floor.
• Never tamper with windows or window screens.
• Unless you have received approval from a mentor, lights are to stay on in all lounge areas.
• No outdoor games are allowed inside the building.
• Students must adhere to “lights out” curfews set by the residential staff, who will perform room checks nightly.

DINING HALL

The University of Arkansas ACT Academy/Jump Start participants will be served breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day in a campus dining hall (on a few occasions, special events/activities may include meals from other sources.) Students are required to attend every meal unless approval has been received from the residential director. Students must wear their conference lanyards to enter the dining facility. Students should bring water bottles to use between meals. Please notify us in advance of any special dietary needs, food allergies, or other concerns. 

Dining Hall Schedule

Breakfast: 7:30-8:15 AM

Lunch: 11:30-12:30 PM

Dinner: 5:00-6:00 PM

A snack before lunch and after dinner will also be provided. Ordering food from outside vendors for delivery is not permitted. Students are welcome to bring additional snacks or purchase snacks on campus as time allows. Please also note that the University of Arkansas is a cash-free campus.

OVERVIEW OF GENERAL STUDENT GUIDELINES AND EXPECTATIONS

Students attending the University of Arkansas ACT Academy/Jump Start are expected to:

• Be considerate and respectful of others in words, actions, and behaviors
• Comply with all standard Arkansas Laws and rules; use of illegal drugs and/or alcohol is strictly prohibited, per university policy and Arkansas law.
• Maintain a positive attitude.
• Observe and follow all staff instructions.
• Actively participate in all ACT Academy/Jump Start curriculum and activities.
• Always remain within assigned areas and under staff supervision
• Interact only with ACT Academy/Jump Start staff and participants
• Attend all ACT Academy/Jump Start programming unless given permission by program staff to be elsewhere
• Treat all University property with care and respect
• Move quietly through classroom buildings; summer classes are in session!
• Limit mobile phone use to non-academic and non-extra-curricular programming unless specified by the instructor or residential coordinator.
• Practice personal hygiene and maintain clean rooms
• Observe quiet time by 9:30 p.m. each night
• Observe lights out at 10:30 p.m. each night

WHAT YOU NEED TO BRING

Be sure to check the weather forecast for Fayetteville as you pack.

Students are expected to carry their belongings, so only bring what you can carry yourself!

• Sheets (twin bed), blankets, and pillow
• Towels, washcloths, shower shoes
• Toiletries
• Alarm clock if a phone is not available
• Swimsuit, fitness gear
• Umbrella or raincoat
• Sunscreen
• Calculator
• Notebook paper
• Water bottle
• All medicines you must take (please note in medical form)
• Sweatshirt or jacket in case of cold classrooms

Note: The CAI staff will not provide or administer any over-the-counter medications. The student must bring these items if they will be needed during the program week.

WHAT YOU MIGHT WANT TO BRING

• Snacks or change for vending machines
• Spending money for visiting a campus bookstore or Razorback shop
• Backpack

Note: The University of Arkansas is a cash-free campus, except for the campus bookstore and Walmart. 

WHAT NOT TO BRING*

• Any item of significant value
• Video games
• Computers
• Bicycles, skates, or skateboards
• Candles
• Food that needs refrigeration
• Any illegal substances or weapons

*Participants are responsible for all items they bring to campus.  It is suggested that valuable items remain at home. The University is not responsible for any lost, stolen, or damaged items.