Policies and Expectations

We want to be clear about our expectations regarding acceptable behavior. We do our best to protect our community, which includes young people and children below the age of 16. Like many college campuses, we do not offer constant adult supervision, but we treat each other with respect in a safe environment. Therefore, if we hear or see something that is contrary to the standards below, we have a duty to investigate the matter. Even if you think it's unnecessary, we must do so in order to protect you and our community. 

Below you can find what you can expect from Berklee and what Berklee expects of you. These behavioral standards are designed and enforced to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all summer programs participants. Failure to abide by these standards will be investigated swiftly and may lead to immediate removal from the program and/or Berklee housing without reimbursement of fees.

1. Berklee expects summer programs participants to act in a respectful, considerate, and responsible manner at all times. All participants are expected to abide by the rules oultlined in the Student Code of Community Standards. 
2. Any 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 removal from the program and housing.
3. Any verbal or physical conduct that is demeaning or threatening is in violation of our Student Code of Community Standards.
4. 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. Also, please understand that by law, we may be required to report this behavior to state authorities, and such behavior may also be grounds for immediate dismissal from the program without reimbursement of tuition and fees. Please note that in Massachusetts, this law defines a child as someone under the age of 16.

If a participant is alleged to have violated a standard of conduct, a meeting will take place to discuss the behavior and appropriate outcome. 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 family to make travel and housing arrangements for their student if they are dismissed.

Additionally, if a student is deemed 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.

Berklee is located in one of the best and liveliest areas in the city. However, as in any urban setting, it is necessary to exercise caution and common sense. We stress neighborhood and residence hall safety and security with summer programs students. Berklee's Public Safety Department is responsible for campus safety, security, law enforcement, and emergency response on campus. It is the department's mission to provide a comprehensive program of services to help ensure that the campus remains a safe environment in which to live, study, and work. Officers are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week. To read more about Public Safety, please visit berklee.edu/public-safety.

Berklee takes pride in treating summer programs attendees as real college students in order to give them a true Berklee experience. We strive to give them as much independence as possible, so students will be walking to class through Berklee's urban campus unattended, and on the weekends and in the evenings they will have some spare time. It is important to be sure that students are responsible enough to handle this independence when deciding whether to attend one of our programs.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), 20 U.S.C. S 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99, is a federal law that protects the privacy of the education records of students who are 18 years old and older.

Berklee staff, including academic advisors in the Counseling and Advising Center, must comply with this federal law. They cannot provide parents or family members with information about students concerning grades, academic standing, attendance, or other qualifying non-directory information without the written consent of the student.

Directory information that can be shared includes name, enrollment status, graduation status, semester level, program, major, principal instrument, dates of attendance, college email address, and hometown.

As described by the U.S. Department of Education, "The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Students to whom the rights have transferred are 'eligible students'... Schools must have written permission from the...eligible student in order to release any information from a student's education record."

Registration/application fees are nonrefundable for all programs. Any student withdrawing during a summer program must complete an exit interview with the program director. Students under the age of 18 who wish to withdraw from the program must obtain written permission from their parent or legal guardian.  

Students withdrawing during the first two weeks of the Berklee Summer Semester are eligible for tuition and housing reimbursements according to the following schedule:

• Withdrawal during the first week of class: 66 percent reimbursement
• Withdrawal during the second week of class: 33 percent reimbursement
• Withdrawal after the second week of class: no reimbursement

Students withdrawing from Aspire: Five-Week Music Performance Intensive are eligible for tuition and housing reimbursements according to the following schedule:

• Withdrawal one month or more before the start of the program: 100 percent reimbursement
• Withdrawal less than one month before the start of the program: 50 percent reimbursement
• Withdrawal after one night in the residence halls: 40 percent tuition reimbursement only
• Withdrawal after the first week of class: no reimbursement

Students withdrawing from the Bass Workshop, Brass Workshop, Commercial Dance Intensive, Creative Entrepreneurship Program, Day Sessions: Music, Day Sessions: Musical Theater, Drums and Percussion Workshop, Electronic Music Production and Sound Design Workshop, Film Scoring Program in Los Angeles, Global String Program, Gospel Performance Program, Guitar Sessions, High School Composition Intensive, Music Production Workshop, Musical Theater Acting Intensive, Musical Theater Dance Intensive, Musical Theater Workshop, Piano/Keyboard Workshop, Songwriting Sessions in Los Angeles, Songwriting Workshop, Summer Dance Intensive, Vocal/Choral Intensive, and Vocal Summit are eligible for tuition and housing reimbursements according to the following schedule:

• ​Withdrawal one month or more before the start of the program: 100 percent reimbursement
• Withdrawal less than one month before the start of the program: 50 percent reimbursement
• Withdrawal within the first day of class: 40 percent reimbursement
• Withdrawal after the first day of class: no reimbursement

Valencia program withdrawal policies can be found on the program page:

• Spain Summer Performance Program

Medical Withdrawal

Students forced to withdraw for medical reasons may be eligible to receive a prorated adjustment of tuition for the program for which they are registered. A medical withdrawal can be considered only if accompanied by written verification from a doctor that the student couldn't complete the program due to the disability.

Withdrawal of Scholarship Recipients

In the event of withdrawal, recipients of a Berklee scholarship may apply up to 100 percent of their scholarship toward outstanding tuition charges only. Berklee scholarship awards are not issued as a cash reimbursement under any circumstances. 

Berklee insures only its own property against loss. It does not insure against nor reimburse against the loss, from any cause, of student property. It is strongly suggested that students who possess property of value insure against loss through their own insurance company. One way to insure an instrument is to attach a floater to a parent or guardian's homeowner's or renter's insurance policy.

The City of Boston has an ordinance that bans the playing of instruments on city sidewalks. The city also requires a permit for large gatherings including parades. Blocking access to city sidewalks is prohibited. There are also curfews on noise and disturbances during evening and morning hours. Students are not permitted to busk on the street unless they have obtained a permit from the City of Boston.

You can review the Noise Municipal Code for the City of Boston before you arrive. Berklee is committed to respecting our neighbors in the Back Bay, and we expect our students to adhere to Berklee and municipal policies.