In addition to their coursework for the Joseph Baldwin Academy, our students enjoy a rich experience outside the classroom.

• Live on campus in a residence life hall with supervision by Preceptors and Professional Staff.
• Participate in a variety of activities held each afternoon and on the weekends.
• Get to know other students with similar and diverse interests, but also share their exceptional academic abilities and love of learning.
• Develop friendships as students learn from each other both in and out of the classroom.

Outside of class, students are supervised by a Professional Staff that come to campus each year to oversee the preceptors and students.  These are made up of former JBA students who went on to attend Truman State University, worked for JBA as preceptors, and now work within the field of education (teachers and counselors) during the school year.

The Professional Staff (ProStaff) live in the residence hall and promote the academic, cultural, social, and recreational opportunities of campus life.

Preceptors are either current students or recent graduates of Truman State University.

Preceptors are nominated by a JBA faculty member and/or education department members to assist in the course and are interviewed individually by the Dean of the Academy and ProStaff Director.

Preceptors live with students in the residence halls, providing support and encouragement, enforcing rules, assisting faculty in the classroom and study hall, and work to help facilitate the recreational programs.

Additionally, ProStaff and Preceptors are here to help students have a good time in a safe, supervised environment.

The primary goal is to help students succeed in their academic endeavors.

While students are ultimately responsible for their own conduct, administrative, instructional, and residential staff all work together to provide clear guidelines and careful supervision.

• During the first two days of the Joseph Baldwin 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 inside the building at 9:30 p.m. unless otherwise planned.
• The following are prohibited:
  • alcoholic beverages
  •  illegal drugs
  • cigarettes/tobacco products
  • vaping/e-cigarette products
  • matches
  • candle /incense
  • coffee pots
  • cooking appliances
  • tampering with fire equipment
  • 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 have consequences.
• Rules are discussed at length with the students on the first Sunday.
  

• Students are expected to work to the best of their abilities.
• 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.
    • Parents will be responsible for any and all costs associated with early return home due to dismissal, including (if applicable) airfare, ground transportation to the airport, and staff expenses.

• 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, except in rare circumstances that are determined on a case-by-case basis.
    • If a student is not permitted to return, 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 rarely be considered.

• 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 phone calls and 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 on the third Sunday of the Academy during the following times:

The reason for the scheduled time frames for pick-up and drop-off are due to staffing needed for a group activity for off-site recreation.

Families may visit or check out their student from 8 am – 11 am OR 8 am – 5:30 pm.

Due to the off-site activity, staff and other students will not return to campus until 5:30 pm.  Students who are checked out with their parents for the day instead of attending the field trip must be checked back in at the residence hall by 5:30 pm.  We will not have staffing on campus prior to 5:30 pm.

• For security reasons, JBA staff must be aware of any visitors on campus, including parents
• We must know of any plans to take students off campus
• 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 or individuals previously authorized by a student’s parent or guardian.
• The only exceptions granted will be for medical or family emergencies.
• If parents wish for a student to leave campus with someone other than a parent/guardian at any time 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.

• 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.
• We are required by law to follow the most current court order we have on file. We cannot withhold a student from a parent with a court order stating custody rights.

• Students will receive an ID card at check-in.
• This university identification card will serve as a meal card and library card during the students’ stay.
• The Student ID card will also allow students to access their money at the “JBA Bank,” check out games at the Hall Store, and have access to the Student Recreation Center on campus.
• A deposit is not required for the Student ID card but there is a lost/damage charge for replacement.

• All meals beginning Saturday lunch during check-in through Friday dinner on the day of check-out will be provided by the University.
• No cooking is allowed in the residence hall rooms, beyond the use of the microwave.
• The dining services on campus offer a wide selection of food at every meal, and their menus are varied enough to accommodate:
  • vegan/vegetarian
    • 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, non-animal-product menu plans are not available.
  • gluten-free
  • other dietary needs
    • If your student requires other special dietary needs or has food allergies, please contact us at least two weeks before you arrive so that we can plan for these needs and provide food services with this information.
  • 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 student’s food allergies include reactions to airborne allergens (such as hypersensitivity to peanuts) please note this on the form but also contact us two weeks prior to your arrival so that we may provide this information to food services.

• Washers and dryers are available in the residence hall at no cost to the student.
• Students will need to bring their own laundry detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, etc.
• Occasionally, students may 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.

• 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.

• We support any student who wants to attend religious services and will provide transportation to and from local religious services with a staff member.
• Sign-up for these services will occur on Saturday on a week-to-week basis.
  • It is important that students with this interest remember to sign-up in advance as prior planning is required to coordinate travel to different services at different times.
• Many but not all Christian denominations have services available in Kirksville. Several non-denominational options are also available.
  • In the general absence of regular services by non-Christian traditions in the Kirksville community, we welcome suggestions from students from these faiths about ways to address their spiritual needs.
• We believe the choice to attend weekly services is a personal or family matter, and due to students’ variable interests and traditions, we ask that parents who expect their children to attend services each week have the necessary conversations with their children prior to attendance to reinforce their expectations.

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 lunch on weekdays.
  • Students must show their Student I.D. when cashing checks.
  • The Cashier Window is not open on Friday, Saturday or Sunday.
• Students may also check in any valuables at the JBA Hall Desk for safekeeping.
  • Items may include musical instruments, jewelry, etc.

• Students are responsible at all times for the safekeeping of their personal belongings.
• We urge students to label all of their belongings, including clothing, with their first and last names.
• 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 is not responsible for items left behind at the end of session.
  • We will keep items for up to a week after the session and then donate any leftover items to local donation sites.

JBA, Truman State University and affiliates are not responsible for theft, lost or other loss of, or damage to, students’ personal belongings, including, but not limited to: 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.

• Students are required to attend all classes and activities.
• Classes are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.
  • Short breaks in the morning and afternoon
  • Just over an hour for lunch
• Lights-out
  • Monday – Friday: 11 p.m.
  • Saturday: Midnight
  • Sunday: 10 p.m.

Mornings 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 like to jog or walk around the community.

Afternoons before dinner:

• Many students 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.

Those not interested in the activities above:

• Students who decide not to attend one of the morning or afternoon activities are allowed to do such activities as: go to the campus library to study, complete their homework, check their email, catch up with laundry, etc.
• Many students use this time to meet in the commons area at the residence hall and hang out with their friends.
• 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 Parrish. Students may also be interested in performing during the Talent Showcase at the end of the Session.

Evenings after Study Hall

• Students are required to participate in an activity planned by the Activities Directors. On most days, there are 7-10 choices, providing a selection of athletic, intellectual, creative, and recreational activities.
  • Typical activities include jewelry making, theater games, chess, crafts, Ultimate Frisbee, painting, hiking, Capture the Flag, swing 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
  • Some off-site activities, such as movies, swimming or shopping may be required to pay a nominal fee.
• On a few select nights during the session, the students will enjoy the JBA Carnival, celebrate “everyone’s birthday, 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:
  • evening dances
  • JBA Olympics
  • lip sync competition
  • quiz bowl tournament
• Students also have “downtime” to catch up on laundry or just relax and talk with friends.