Student Life Overview

Introduction

In addition to their course work, our students enjoy a rich experience outside the classroom. They live on campus under the supervision of resident staff and preceptors and participate in a variety of activities held each afternoon and on the weekends. More importantly, they get to know other students like them—students whose interests are diverse and who share their exceptional academic abilities and love of learning. Lasting friendships develop as students learn from each other both in and out of the classroom. Throughout the residential program, we focus on helping students have a good time in a safe, supervised environment.  Although helping students have a positive social experience is important to us, prospective students should know that their primary goal while enrolled in the program is to succeed in their academic endeavors. Students unable to make academics their first priority should not attend our program.

Supervision

While students are ultimately responsible for their own conduct; administrative, instructional, and residential staff all work together to provide clear guidelines and careful supervision. Outside class, students are supervised by the staff and preceptors. The staff are either current students or graduates of Truman State University. All staff members have participated in the Joseph Baldwin Academy in previous years as preceptors or members of the staff. They live in the residence hall and promote the academic, cultural, social, and recreational opportunities of campus life.

• During the first two days of the Academy, students must be escorted by a preceptor or designated supervisor whenever they leave the residence hall. After that time, students may leave the residence hall with a companion after signing out. Students must remain on the Truman campus unless accompanied by a preceptor, staff member, or parent/guardian.
   
• Students must remain in their rooms after curfew and lights must be out each night at the designated time. Students may not leave the residence hall before 7:00 a.m. and must be in at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise planned.
   
• The following are prohibited: alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs; cigarettes, tobacco products, matches, candles, and incense; coffee pots and other cooking appliances; tampering with fire equipment; and damage to University property. Students who possess or use alcoholic beverages, illegal drugs, or any tobacco products will be immediately dismissed from the Academy.
   
• Students are expected to behave in a mature manner. They will be expected to show respect to the faculty, staff, fellow students, and themselves. Students who use disrespectful or obscene language will be placed on a behavioral contract.
   
• Rules are discussed at length with the students on the first Sunday.

Academic Discipline

• Students are expected to work to the best of their abilities. The students who excel at the Academy are those who take responsibility for their own education and have a genuine desire to learn. An exceptional level of maturity and emotional stability is essential to succeed in this fast-paced environment.
   
• Students who demonstrate a lack of effort in the classroom or who engage in disruptive behavior will work with their instructor to resolve the situation. In some cases, a student may be given a contract indicating the amount of work to be completed each day. If inappropriate academic behavior persists, a conference may be held involving the student, the instructor, Director, and the Dean of the Academy. The Academy reserves the right to dismiss a student without refund for lack of effort or disruptive behavior in class.

Attendance Policy

In order for students to receive the full academic benefits of the Academy, they must remain on the campus for the entire three-week session.  We believe strongly that completion of the whole program is a primary objective of attendance.  While activities such as athletics, recitals, and scholastic competitions are worthwhile on their own, they divert students' attention from a student’s JBA classroom experience when they are in conflict.  Because the academic experience is intensive, students are normally not able to "catch up" if they miss any class time.  Because many class assignments employ group work, lab partners, and so forth, a student’s absence may also significantly impact the work of others.  Students will not be permitted to leave the Truman State campus for activities not associated with the Academy.  The only exceptions will be for medical or family emergencies as determined by the Dean.  Students who leave the Academy for any other reason will not be allowed to return and they will not receive an evaluation or recognition for attending the Joseph Baldwin Academy.  For a variety of reasons, including fairness in the application of this policy, appeals of this policy not grounded in medical or family emergencies will not be considered.

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Expectations for Student Conduct

We expect our students to meet the highest standards of behavior, both in personal deportment and in dedication to academic pursuits.

• Strive to do the best work possible in their courses;
   
• Respect individuals of different races, cultures, religions, genders, disabilities, and national origins;
   
• Behave in a friendly, cooperative, and responsible manner toward all persons in the JBA community and in the larger college and local communities;
   
• Attend all class sessions, meals, activities, and meetings observing all rules for student conduct.

We cannot accommodate students who are unable to live up to these expectations.

Once students arrive on campus, at orientation, they will learn about our standards for behavior, including our residential life as well as our academic rules.  They include a commitment to academic integrity, respect for all members of the community, regard for the basic rules of physical safety, and cooperation with adult supervision.

Students may be dismissed from the program for any of the following reasons:

• Possessing or using tobacco, alcohol, or drugs (students possessing any of these items will be immediately dismissed from the Academy);
   
• Not attending to their academic work in a satisfactory manner;
   
• Cheating, plagiarizing, or committing other acts of academic dishonesty;
   
• Being in restricted areas of campus, or leaving campus, unaccompanied by a staff member, preceptor or  parent/guardian;
   
• Being in an opposite-sex wing of the residence hall;
   
• Leaving their halls after lights out;
   
• Stealing or vandalizing property;
   
• Keeping prescription or over-the-counter medication in their possession (see Medications for limited exceptions);
   
• Bullying or hazing;
   
• Undermining the safety or well-being of self or others (includes threats).

Students may be placed on contract for the following reasons:

• Students who use disrespectful or obscene language;
   
• Students who demonstrate a lack of effort in the classroom or who engage in disruptive behavior;
   
• Inappropriate behavior or violations of rules.

The Director will refer students involved in repeated or serious incidents to the Dean, who serves as the head disciplinarian. The Dean has the authority to dismiss students based on inappropriate behavior inside or out of the classroom. Students expelled from the Academy will not receive a refund. Families of students expelled from the Academy - regardless of their distance - will be responsible for all costs of transportation home, including airfare, van mileage and associated costs.

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Student Activity Time

Each morning before class, students have the opportunity to participate in one of several activities that are supervised by preceptors.  Due to the student interest, most of these activities tend to be athletic in nature . . . several students jog or swim laps.   

In the afternoon many attend Truman’s Student Recreation Center where they may play sports such as basketball, volleyball, soccer, and racquetball.  Students who are over 14 are also allowed to use the University’s weight equipment. 

Students who decide not to attend one of the morning or afternoon activities are allowed to go to the campus library to study, to complete their homework, to check their email, to catch up with laundry, etc.  Many students use this time to meet in the commons area at the dorm and hang out with their friends.

In the evening after study hall, students are required to participate in an activity. The staff  plan 7-8 choices each day, providing a selection of athletic, intellectual, creative, and recreational activities. Typical activities include dodge ball, jewelry making, theatre games, fishing at the lake, giant Twister, sand art, chess, Ultimate Frisbee, painting, hiking, Capture the Flag, swing or hip-hop dancing, cooking, swimming, concerts on the square, and short trips to local Kirksville stores.   The cost for most activities is included in the student’s tuition, however, students who choose to sign up for craft activities, movies, swimming or shopping may be required to pay a nominal fee.

A few select nights during the session the students will enjoy the JBA Carnival, play Super Ninja Freak Out, dress up for "Halloween in the summer" or may choose to perform in the JBA Talent Showcase.

On the weekends the Academy provides more ambitious activities, including evening dances, Water Olympics, a quiz bowl tournament, and a dodge ball competition.  A one-day trip to a nearby water park is also planned. Students also have “down time” to catch up on laundry or just relax and talk with friends.

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Daily Schedule

The daily schedule on campus is quite full. Students are required to attend all classes and activities, and there is little unstructured time. Generally, students attend class from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9:00 am to 11:30 am on Saturday, with short breaks in the morning and afternoon and a longer break for lunch. Between the end of class and lights-out, students attend recreational activities, have dinner, return to class for ninety minutes for study hall, and enjoy some social time. Each day concludes with a hall meeting. Lights-out is at 11:00 pm Monday – Friday, midnight on Saturday and 10:00 pm on Sunday. Listed below are the approximate times for daily activities.

Monday - Friday

Saturday

Sunday

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Living On Campus

Housing

Students live with their preceptors in single-sex wings of a residence hall near the center of the Truman campus. Each housing group has approximately 8-12 students who live near you as well as a housing group leader(s), one of our many capable preceptors.  Your housing group leader(s) will plan activities for your group to enjoy such as trips off campus to local eating establishments or shopping.  They will also hang out with you after curfew and help you get to know each other and feel comfortable here at JBA.  The housing group is an important part of the residential experience, as it provides students with a sense of identity and belonging within the larger JBA community.

Students will be given room assignments when they check in. Most students are assigned to double rooms, but we cannot offer a particular housing arrangement, including a roommate request, to any student. To the extent possible, students are assigned roommates of a similar age. Students will share a bathroom with the connecting room. Students are not allowed to visit opposite-sex wings of the residence hall.

Room Furnishings

The University furnishes most rooms with bunkable/loftable beds, standard twin-sized mattresses (36” x 76”), a dresser or drawers to share between residents, closets or wardrobes, and window mini blinds. All residence hall rooms have a desk with drawer space for each resident. Each room in our residence halls contains one bed per person, which may be bunked. You may want to bring a mattress pad or “eggcrate” foam padding, bed linens, pillow, light blanket and clothes hangers. 

Students are allowed to bring a small refrigerator but must limit them to 2'w x 3'h x 2'd in size.  A fee will be charged for electricity usage at a rate of $15.00 per week.  This fee will need to be paid prior to your arrival at JBA.  The University does have a limited supply of refrigerators for a rental fee of $15.00 per week.  These refrigerators are available on a first come, first served basis and will need to be requested and paid for prior to your arrival at JBA.

Residents using extension cords are strongly encouraged to use grounded 3-prong, 15-amp minimum, extension cords and/or surge protectors. All electronics or appliances must be UL approved and in good, working condition. Please refer to the “Things to Bring” and “Things NOT to Bring” lists below when considering what electrical devises to bring.

Things to Bring

Students should bring the following: sheets for a twin bed, light blanket and a pillow (a pillow will be provided for those who travel by plane); an alarm clock; note paper, pencils, and pens; shower supplies such as towels, wash clothes, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, and toothpaste; hair dryer; swim suit; camera; umbrella or rain gear; recreational items such as frisbees, softball gloves, tennis racquets or roller blades. Students may also bring CD headphones, Ipods, Mp3's or a radio.  They should bring a variety of clothing for occasions such as outdoor recreation, air-conditioned classes, ceremonies, church services and dances. Students should label their personal items.

JBA will be having "Halloween" during both sessions, a day where students will dress up for our academy-wide Halloween party. Activities for the party will include bobbing for apples, scary stories, face painting/scary makeup, and a haunted house. Students are encouraged to bring a costume or materials to make a costume (costume-making will be offered as a nightly activity early in the session).

Things NOT to Bring

• weapons of any kind (including pocket knives and martial arts devices)
• any flame-producing device (including matches, lighters, and firecrackers)
• role-playing game books or other items associated with role-playing games
• trading cards, including Magic®
• pets of any kind
• products that damage surface finishes (brand names Slime®, Gack®, etc.)
• televisions, computer/video games, portable game systems, Gameboys or DVDs
• bicycles, skateboards or scooters
• halogen lamps or hot pots
• laser pointers
• Lamps, flashlights, or light bulbs
• Cell phones or beepers  - *see cell phone policy listed below
• Computers, laptops, or PDA's

In addition to the above list, we reserve the right to confiscate for the length of the program any items that, in our judgment, demonstrate the potential for distracting students from the goals of the program, pose undue risk to the safety and well-being of people, or pose undue risk to property.

Student I.D.'s

Students will receive an I.D. card at orientation on Sunday.  This university identification card will serve as meal card and library card during the students’ stay.  The Student I.D. card will also allow students to access their money at the “JBA Bank,” checkout games at the Hall Store, and have access to the Student Rec Center on campus.  A deposit is not required for the Student I.D. card but there is a charge for replacement if it is lost.

Meals 

All meals Saturday evening, June 5, through Saturday morning, June 26, for Session I and all meals Saturday evening, July 10, through Saturday morning, July 31, for Session II will be provided by the University. No cooking is allowed in the residence hall rooms. 

The dining services on campus offer a wide selection of food at every meal, and their menus are varied enough to accommodate vegan, vegetarian, and other diets.  If your student requires other special dietary needs or has food allergies, please contact us before you arrive so that we can plan for these needs. 

Vegetarian Meals: Meatless entrees are available on the regular menu. The meatless entrees may contain animal products (milk, cheese, eggs). Students who prefer not to eat animal products may choose from items on the regular menu and the salad bar. Special, no-animal-product menu plans are not available.  

Specific Food Allergies: Please provide details on the Medical Information Form. Most students with food allergies manage by selecting from the variety of items available on the regular menu and salad bar.  If a students food allergies include reactions to airborne allergens (such as hypersensitivity to peanuts) please note this as well.

Keys/Key Deposit

Student rooms are required to be locked at all times.  Students are issued a room key when receiving their room assignment.  This key is the student’s responsibility.  A $30.00 key deposit will be required at check-in to cover lost keys.  When you return your key at the conclusion of the Academy, you may receive a refund of this deposit or you can apply it towards the full purchase of a JBA DVD and Memory Book highlighting all classes and activities at the Academy. If a student loses his/her key, the deposit will be used to order a new key.  The DVD and/or Memory Book will then need to be purchased with cash/check which can be done at check out.

Library

Students will have full privileges in Pickler Memorial Library such as computers, computer labs, and reference material.  Students must return books to the Library on the final Friday of each session before Closing Ceremonies.  Students will be held responsible for any lost books or late fees. Students may also be held from the dance until the books can be found and returned to the Library.

Mail

Students will each have their own mail boxes in Centennial Hall.  Mail is distributed after 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday.  If you receive a package, a slip will be placed in your mail box.  All packages will need to be picked up at the Hall Desk.
 

Provisions will be made for outgoing mail.  Stamps and envelopes can be purchased at the Hall Store.  In order for students to receive mail, the mail should be addressed as follows: student name, c/o Joseph Baldwin Academy, Centennial Hall, Rm#, 1100 Missouri Hall, Kirksville, MO  63501.  (Room numbers will be given on the day of arrival.)  Please don't attempt to send letters or packages after Monday, June 21 or July 26 since they may not make it before your student checks out.

Email

Each student is given an email address within the first few days of arrival.  Your student's assigned email will be in the form of abc123@truman.edu (abc is his/her initials and 123 is a 3-digit randomly generated number.)  Students receive this email address within the first two weekdays of JBA.  Students are allowed to check their email during "free time" by using the computers at the campus library.

Telephone

All student residence hall rooms include a phone with voicemail.  Students will have local access only but may make long distance calls by calling collect or using a calling card.  Telephone directories are handed out shortly after arrival, which will have student phone numbers listed.  Parents may reach students by dialing their rooms directly.  Parents should pre-arrange particular days and times for phone calls.  The best times to reach students are 7:00 am – 8:30 am and 10:00 pm – 10:30 pm.  So that students can receive adequate sleep, please refrain from calling students' rooms after lights out (11:00 pm week nights, midnight Saturday night, and 10:00 pm Sunday night) or before 7:00 am.  If you absolutely need to reach your son or daughter during this time, please call the JBA Office at 660/785-7992.  We can easily arrange a time for your child to call you.

NOTE:  Students who bring cell phones with them must check them in at the Hall Desk upon arrival but may check them out anytime during their Free Time - see Daily Schedule above.

Cell Phones

It is essential for students to be focused in class, engaged in activities, or sleeping at night, therefore, we strongly recommend that students not bring cell phones to JBA.  However, students are allowed to bring cells phones with them but under very strict guidelines.  Students will need to check their cell phones in at the JBA Hall Desk as soon as they arrive.  Students are not allowed to carry or keep their cell phones on them.  Cell phones may be used only during specified phone times and only for phone calls (no games).  Cell phones used outside of specified hours or outside the residence hall (such as in class or during activities), for playing games, or for inappropriate reasons such as prank calling, will be confiscated for the duration of the session.  JBA assumes no responsibility for the loss or damage of cell phones, or for the misuse of cell phones, including exceeding plan limits or use by unauthorized persons.  Students found to be concealing a cell phone not checked in at registration will have their phone confiscated for the duration of the Academy.

To Contact Your Student

By letter or package: 
You student's name
Joseph Baldwin Academy
Centennial Hall, room number
1100 Missouri Hall
100 E Normal
Kirksville MO  63501

By Phone:
(660) 785- plus four digit extension of your student’s room

JBA Residence Hall Office at Centennial Hall - Dan Clark, Director (660)785-7992

JBA Administrative Office - Jana Morton, Assistant to the Dean (660)785-5406

By Fax:
JBA Administrative Office - (660)785-7202

By Email:
Your student’s assigned email will be in the form of abc123@truman.edu (“abc” is his/her initials and “123” is a 3-digit randomly generated number.)  Students receive this email address within the first two weekdays of JBA.

Family Visits

During the session, we strongly discourage family and friends from visiting students and taking them off campus. Weekend time allows students to establish friendships and become fully involved in residential life. (In fact, homesickness is often intensified by visits from parents.) However, the Academy recognizes the vital importance of parental involvement in a student's academic and social growth and to that end allows visitation only on the third Sunday of the Academy during the following times: 

       Third Sunday – 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. or 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

NOTE:  The third Sunday of each session, students are taken to a nearby water park for the day.  Families may visit from 8:00 am – 10:00 am or you may check out your student for the day (8:00 am – 5:30 pm).  The staff and students will not return to campus from the water park until 5:30 pm.  Students who are checked out with their parents for the day instead of attending the water park must be checked back in at the dorm by 5:30 pm.

While visiting students, parents are only permitted to be in the main lounge of the residence hall and may not visit students' rooms.  This provides all students with a higher level of security because they know to contact a staff member immediately if they see someone they do not know in the student housing section of the building.

Students who wish to leave during the times listed above must sign out and notify a staff member at the JBA Hall Desk. Upon return, students must sign back in at the JBA Hall Desk.  Students will be allowed to leave the Academy only with their parents/guardians and only during these allotted hours. The only exceptions granted will be for medical or family emergencies. If a student leaves the campus with someone other than a parent/guardian at anytime during the Academy, we must have a completed “Authorization to Visit/Take Student Off Campus” form on file and they must be 18 or older.  In addition, parents, guardians or anyone checking a student out of the residence hall must provide the staff member with a photo I.D.

Custody Issues

Please indicate any issues you believe we should be made aware of on the Authorization to Visit/Take Student Off Campus Form, and attach copies of pertinent legal documentation.

Health Services and Insurance

The Academy has dedicated a full-time position to look after the welfare of its students.  This individual, the Health & Wellness Director, will contact parents about health issues their child may be experiencing.

The Academy has made arrangements with a local physician to care for its students.  Whenever possible, the Health & Wellness Director will contact parents before the Academy takes their child to the physician; however, sometimes this notification may occur afterwards.

Emergency medical service is available at Northeast Regional Medical Center. All students must submit medical history forms and a copy of their health insurance card, which the Joseph Baldwin Academy Health & Wellness Director will keep on file.  Students will be responsible for any co-payment at either the doctor's office, hospital, or pharmacy at the time of the service.  Those students with long-standing medical conditions should request their physicians to forward relevant information to the Joseph Baldwin Academy.

We ask that you provide us with a copy of your insurance card for filing purposes for the local physician and/or hospital.  This will be kept on file with the Health & Wellness Director.

Medications

All student medications must be turned in to the Health & Wellness Director upon check in.  These include prescriptions and over-the-counter medicine such as Tylenol, allergy, and cold medicine.  NO medications are allowed to be kept in student rooms (with the exceptions of inhalers, epi-pens, and similar rescue medications, which shall be approved on a case by case basis).  

Students must self-administer the medication, as directed by the parent or physician, and the Health & Wellness Director will log all medications taken.  We do make available, upon request by the student, common over the counter medications in the Med Room.  Parents are strongly advised to note any allergies or potential drug interactions with prescribed medications on their child’s medical form.  In addition, parents are urged to have a conversation with their children, before they come to JBA, about any over the counter medications they feel comfortable/uncomfortable with their child selecting.  We do not carry, nor do we offer students, aspirin.

Exception:  Parents may authorize their children to retain maintenance medications, provided the medications have no potential for abuse, and missed or discontinued dosages presents no risk.  A waiver of responsibility is required.

Laundry

Washers and dryers are available in the residence hall at approximately $1.00 to wash and $.75 to dry.  Students may also be taken off campus to a local laundry facility to do their laundry. Machines in the residence hall are limited.  Students will need to sign up to do their laundry during activity/free time and plan ahead for their laundry needs.

Practice Rooms

Students wanting to bring their musical instruments to practice or perform while at JBA will have access to practice rooms in the Fine Arts building on campus, Ophelia Parish.  Students will be able to sign up for practice rooms during their free time.  Students may also be interested in performing during the Talent Showcase at the end of the Session.

Religious Services

We support any student who wants to attend religious services and will provide transportation to and from local religious services with a staff member.  Many, but not all, denominations are available in Kirksville.  Several non-denominational services are also available.

The "Bank"

A student bank is maintained in the JBA Hall Desk and is monitored by the Residential Living Director.  The students are encouraged to deposit their spending money at the bank to prevent accidental loss.  The Residential Living Director sets up individual accounts and banking hours are posted and maintained daily.  An account may be opened on registration day or at any time during the session.  To assist our staff, we ask that you bring cash for your deposit. 

Students may also cash checks made payable to “Truman State University” for $25.00 - $50.00 at the Cashier Window located in the lower level of McClain Hall.  Students will be allowed to cash checks at the Cashier Window during normal business hours (Monday-Friday from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm).   Students must show their Student I.D. when cashing checks. The Cashier Window is not open on Saturday or Sunday.

Students may also check in any valuables at the Hall Desk for safekeeping.  Items may include musical instruments, jewelry, etc.

Personal Belongings/Lost and Found

Students are responsible at all times for the safe-keeping of their personal belongings. We urge students to label all of their belongings, including clothing, with their first and last names. JBA is not responsible for theft or other loss of, or damage to, students’ personal belongings, including athletic equipment and musical instruments. When considering whether to bring an expensive item, families may wish to investigate possible coverage under their own homeowner’s or renter’s insurance. In general, we recommend that students leave valuables at home.

JBA will maintain a lost and found box in the JBA Hall Desk. Clearly labeled items are the most likely to be successfully returned. JBA can not be responsible for items left behind at the end of session.

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