An image of students smiling with a Welcome to Carleton sign with the text "Welcome, Summer Carls!" overlayed

We are so excited to welcome you to our campus community this summer. Please explore this page for information to help you prepare and succeed in SLAI.

As always, feel free to contact our office with any questions!

Before the Institute:

Payment, Policies, and Paperwork

Tuition Payment

You can submit tuition payments two ways:

1 . Pay Tuition Online

Complete the online payment form to pay tuition online via credit card. We cannot accept credit card payments over the phone.

2 . Pay Tuition via Check

You can send a check to our office for tuition payment. Please include the following information with your payment:

  1. Student’s name
  2. Student’s colleague ID (found at top of application dashboard)

Mail your check to:

Carleton Summer Liberal Arts Institute
1 North College St.
Northfield, MN 55057

Waiver, Policies, and Code of Conduct

All students attending SLAI and their guardians must read the “2023 SLAI Waiver, Policies, Code of Conduct” document, which includes the Release and Waiver of Liability, Participant Code of Conduct, and Program Expectations, Rules, & Regulations.

Cancellation, Credit, and Attendance Policies

Attendance Policy

The Summer Liberal Arts Institute (SLAI) is a residential program that requires full-time, daily residence at Carleton College for the duration of the program, including weekends. Only in cases of emergency and with the express approval of the Assistant Director of SLAI will a student be permitted to take time away from the program.

Additionally, students must understand that they cannot be enrolled in another academic program while attending SLAI. This credit-earning experience requires full-time participation by the student, and there will not be time available during the program to commit to academic endeavors outside of SLAI. Any anticipated participation in another class or program during SLAI must be approved by Margi Youmans, Director of the Summer Liberal Arts Institute.

If you have questions regarding the attendance expectations, please call 507-222-4038 or email summer@carleton.edu.


Academic Credit

Summer Carls can earn Carleton course credits for successfully meeting faculty expectations and completing course requirements. Visit each program’s page for amount of credit awarded.

In addition to receiving written feedback about course performance from faculty, students will receive one of the following three possible grade designations: satisfactory (S), credit (Cr), or no credit (NC). Formal academic transcripts are available upon request for Summer Carl alumni and will reflect the name of the course and grade earned.


2023 Cancellation Policy

Our cancellation policy applies to all students that have applied or been accepted to our Institute and its programs.

Written withdrawals received by the Summer Liberal Arts Institute office:

  • on or before April 14, 2023 will receive a refund of all fees paid over and above the $75 Application Fee.
  • between April 15 and May 12, 2023 will receive a refund of 50% of all fees paid over and above the $75 Application Fee.
  • on or after May 13, 2023 will not receive a refund.

All cancellations and refund requests must be submitted in writing to summer@carleton.edu. Please allow up to 10 business days for your refund to be processed. Refunds are typically issued in the same form of payment as the original payment.

No refunds or discounts will be given for early departures prior to the end of the program. Any participant who is dismissed from the program due to disciplinary issues, or who voluntarily withdraws from their program for any reason, will not receive a refund.

In the event that SLAI must cancel a program, confirmed participants will receive a refund of all fees paid with the exception of the $75 Application Fee.

This written cancellation policy is always binding, and no verbal communication from SLAI staff can override this policy.

Health Requirements and Accommodations

Covid-19 Vaccination

All summer attendees, staff, and faculty for the Summer Liberal Arts Institute Pre-College programs are encouraged, but not required, to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Students whose COVID-19 vaccination history is up-to-date prior to attending the programs are encouraged to submit their vaccination records to our office.

Accessibility Accommodations for Students

Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Carleton College is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. The Accessibility Resources office (Henry House) is the campus office that collaborates with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations.

If you have or think you may have a disability (including, but not limited to, mental health, attentional, learning, autism spectrum disorders, chronic health, traumatic brain injury and concussions, sensory, physical, or speech), please contact Samantha Thayer, Director of Accessibility Resources, by sending an email to sthayer@carleton.edu to arrange a confidential discussion regarding equitable access and reasonable accommodations.

Please fill out the Accommodations and Accessibility form to request accommodations during SLAI, and a staff member will follow up with you!

Travel to Campus and What to Bring

How to Get Here: Information for booking your travel

2023 Arrival and Departure Dates:

Students should book transportation to arrive on Sunday, July 9th, and depart on Friday, July 28th.

Important information about timing flights for check-in/out, shuttles, and car transport is below.

International students can arrive a day early and depart a day late to accommodate time change adjustment and restricted flight options. More information for International Students


By Car:

From Interstate 35, take exit 69 onto Highway 19 going east. At the first stop light (Highway 3), turn left. At the next stop light (Second Street), turn right. Follow second street to College Street, turn left onto College Street. Check in will be outside the Chapel (rain location specified if needed). You may park on the street or in any parking spots designated for visitors or guests.

Students are not permitted to drive motor vehicles while SLAI is in session. Participants bringing motor vehicles will be directed to appropriate long-term parking. Vehicle keys must be turned over to a SLAI staff member and will be kept in a secure location for the duration of the program.

NO ACCOMMODATIONS ON CAMPUS OR TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS can be made for participants prior to 3:00 p.m. on the first Sunday of the program or after 2:00 p.m. on the final Friday of the program.


By Air:

For those who are flying, we have booked a shuttle bus to transport students from the Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport to Carleton College on the Sunday afternoon your program begins, and to the airport from Carleton College on the Friday afternoon your program ends. Students will have the option to opt into this shuttle bus after they are accepted. At the airport, there will be a SLAI staff member stationed at a booth in the baggage claim area where students will gather before boarding the shuttle bus. This staff member will have a phone on hand that the students are encouraged to call if they need help finding the booth.

The shuttle bus for Carleton must depart no later than 3:30 p.m.; PLEASE DO NOT book flights arriving later than 3:00 p.m.!

A note for family flying in with a student: we do not have Uber or Lyft in Rice County, so you will be unable to request a ride back up to the airport from Northfield and will need to plan accordingly. View other transportation options.

Return trips to the airport on the last day of the program will leave campus at 1:15 p.m. Therefore, PLEASE DO NOT book return flights leaving earlier than 3:30 p.m. on Friday your program ends.

Please check the dates and times of your travel itinerary very carefully. NO ACCOMMODATIONS ON CAMPUS OR TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS can be made for participants prior to 3:00 p.m. on the first Sunday of the program or after 2:00 p.m. on the final Friday of the program.

What to Bring

In general, dress for SLAI is casual summer wear. Shorts and t-shirts will be fine for the classroom. Minnesota weather can be unpredictable. July and August tend to be quite warm (highs in the 80s and 90s), and evenings can cool down quickly. We recommend you bring a light jacket or sweatshirt and jeans or long pants for evening activities. You will be walking to class and to meals, so you may also want to bring comfortable shoes and an umbrella.

The Rec Center is open and available for you to use while you are here. You will also have access to practice rooms should you wish to bring a musical instrument. Our staff has a reputation for creativity when planning water activities on hot afternoons, so we also recommend bringing a swimming suit and sunscreen to take full advantage of the water games. Finally, there will be a talent show during the course of your program; please bring anything you would need to showcase your talent.

The following is not an exhaustive list of what you will need for SLAI, and you should use your best judgment about what you will need to bring. We highly recommend labeling your personal belongings.

Remember to Bring:

  • Photo identification card
  • Any chargers for your electronics, including laptops, phones, tablets, etc.
  • Notebook/Paper
  • Writing utensils
  • At least one dressier outfit for the program banquet
  • Recreation equipment and/or musical instrument
  • Talent show props
  • Sunscreen
  • Light jacket and/or sweatshirt
  • Comfortable shoes
  • Umbrella
  • Bath towel
  • Toiletries
  • Masks (KN95 or N95 may be good to have on hand if possible)
  • Rapid COVID Tests, if possible

STEM Program students, make sure to bring:

  • For outdoor geology labs:
    • Hiking/closed-toed shoes
    • Hat for sun & water bottle
  • For indoor biology labs:
    • Shirts that cover your shoulders (t-shirt works), long pants, and closed-toed shoes
    • Clothing that is not flowy or loose
    • Hair must be tied back

Neuroscience Program students, please bring:

  • Closed-toed shoes and long pants for lab

Things you might like to have (not required):

  • Blanket, sheet set, or pillow from home
    • We supply a basic set for each student, but if you have any personal comforts, it is suggested you bring them.
  • Re-usable water bottle (please label!)
  • Camera
  • Sunglasses
  • Swimsuit
  • Shoes that can get wet for water activities
  • Insect repellent/bug spray (strongly encouraged)
  • Alarm clock
  • Personal recreation equipment
  • A little extra spending money
    • Your meals are all included with tuition; however, you may have the opportunity to go downtown for ice cream in the evening, the Carleton bookstore will be open, and you will be leaving campus for at least one field trip.

Arrival Day Information

Check in runs from 3pm – 5pm on Sunday, July 9, 2023.

For specific information about your arrival, please consult your mode of transportation below:

Driving to Campus? 


On Sunday, July 9, 2023, check in will be held at the Chapel on Carleton’s campus starting at 3pm. Everyone must be checked in by 5pm due to scheduled welcome events for the rest of Sunday! 

We’ll have signs up around the campus and off the major roads to help you find your way. The address for campus is One North College Street, Northfield, MN 55057.  

A parent tour of campus will be offered at 4:30pm. If you’re interested in participating, please tell the staff at check in and they’ll give you additional information. 

We ask that parents depart campus by 5pm because our welcome events begin at that time. 


Arriving by air and taking our shuttle transportation? 


International Student Arrival – Saturday, July 8, 2023


If you’re an international student, make sure to bring your visa paperwork with you for your U.S.A. entry. It is important for you to enter under the correct visa status: F-1 Student Visa (Not a B Visa). 

If you encounter any problems on the day you are scheduled to travel, you will be able to call the Program and Community Assistant on duty. Our Program and Community Assistants will have a master list with all participants’ flight itineraries in the case of any unexpected  delays. 

Once you arrive at MSP airport, please collect your luggage at the baggage claim. We will have staff connect with you at the terminal you arrive in, near the baggage claim. Our staff will arrive about 15 minutes before the shuttle time and will first arrive at terminal 1, collect students, and proceed to terminal 2. 

  • If you arrive at Terminal 1, meet our staff at Door 4A (between baggage carousels 4-6).
  • If you arrive at Terminal 2, meet our staff at Door 8.  

Shuttles will be scheduled throughout the day. A shuttle will not leave without making contact with all scheduled pickups, so please communicate any delays to our staff. If you are hungry after your flight, we recommend you grab something to go before coming to get your baggage, as there are not many options once you leave the terminal. 

If you arrive early and do not see our staff, please call the number listed above, and wait for our staff to arrive. If you wait near baggage claim, there are limited options for food and lounging. 

Domestic Student Arrival – Sunday, July 9, 2023


If you encounter any problems on the day you are scheduled to travel, you will be able to call the Program and Community Assistant on duty. Our Program and Community Assistants will have a master list with all participants’ flight itineraries in the case of any unexpected  delays.

We will have shuttles departing Terminal 1 throughout the day, with the final shuttle departing around 3:30pm. If your flight is delayed, please notify our staff so that we can schedule an  alternative shuttle for your arrival. We will have a late night shuttle available, if necessary. 

Once you arrive at MSP airport, please collect your luggage at the baggage claim. We will have staff waiting for you at Terminal 1. If you arrive at Terminal 2 (ask a flight attendant or staff member if you are unsure), you will need to take the tram to Terminal 1.

If you are hungry after your flight, we recommend you grab something to go before coming to get your baggage, as there are not many options once you leave the terminal. 

During the Institute:

Living on Campus

Personal Computers

In the past, students have found it helpful to have a laptop while on campus. It is NOT necessary to bring your own computer or printer; students will have access to computers and printers in the public labs on campus.

If you choose to bring your own computer, be sure your computer is in good working order. Carleton does not provide maintenance to privately owned computers. Technical support for your personal computer will be limited!

Computers should not be used past curfew hours, and professors may prohibit the use of technology in their classroom. Make sure you discuss technology use in the classroom with the faculty member before using your computer in class.

Laundry

Students will have access to laundry machines and detergent throughout the program, which is included in the program cost.

Linens

Students will be provided with a linen packet containing: sheets, pillow, pillowcase, and blanket. Towels and soap are also included, but both are rather small. We HIGHLY recommend that you bring your own bath towel and soap. Your linens will be exchanged once at the halfway point in the program.

Mail

Mail that arrives on campus will be distributed by SLAI staff. Any mail for participants should be addressed:

(student’s Name)
SLAI and Program Name
Carleton College
1 North College Street
Northfield, MN 55057

Onecards

All Summer Carls will receive a Onecard that is specially programmed to their name and program. This card will allow them to have access to buildings and enter the dining hall. Students must upload an ID photo via the GET site. Students will receive login credentials to access GET and other Carleton platforms closer to the start of the program.

Students may load money onto the card in GET if they please and may use that money at campus cafes and the campus bookstore.

Printing Guidelines

Printing for your program will be covered on your campus Onecard, which will be assigned to you when you arrive on campus. Printers are available in the library and labs on campus.

School Supplies

At check in, you will receive the materials you will need for class. We recommend you bring a notebook and writing utensils.

Health & Disability Information

Student Health Services and Emergency Care

Student health and safety are of paramount importance to us, and we are prepared to care for their needs while on campus. Because students will be visiting campus during an extended break in the Carleton academic calendar, standard student health services are not available. However, we have established the following protocol for evaluating student health needs as concerns arise:

  • In the instance of minor illness or injury, not requiring immediate medical attention, we will utilize the health services line associated with the child’s insurance carrier to seek the advice of a medical professional. Staff are prepared to comply with the advice given and will act in accordance with the medical advice provided. Should your health insurance coverage not include a health services line, we highly recommend that the parent/guardian sign-up for a virtuewell account online. This online health service provides 24hr rapid diagnosis of common medical ailments. Use of this provider can expedite the treatment of the child, especially if an ailment presents symptoms after normal business hours or on the weekend. Again, our staff are prepared to act in accordance with the recommendations of the health care provider to seek additional treatment as recommended. Local facilities that we would contact for standard treatment would include The Northfield Allina Clinic and The Northfield Hospitals Clinics and Urgent Care facility.
  • In the instance of severe illness or injury, staff will seek emergency services for your child at Northfield Hospital.
  • Additionally, we will provide materials that include a 24hr mental health service line number that can be used for problem-solving immediate concerns of harm to self or others.

Students and parents/guardians will fill out a health form prior to arrival, where they may provide detailed health needs of the student. Should the student have confidential needs or require services, please contact our office directly, so we can assist with arranging accommodations.


Reasonable Accommodations for Students with Disabilities

Carleton College is committed to providing equitable access to learning opportunities for all students. The Accessibility Resources office (Henry House) is the campus office that collaborates with students who have disabilities to provide and/or arrange reasonable accommodations.

If you have or think you may have a disability (including, but not limited to, mental health, attentional, learning, autism spectrum disorders, chronic health, traumatic brain injury and concussions, sensory, physical, or speech), please contact Samantha Thayer, Director of Accessibility Resources (507-222-4464) to arrange a confidential discussion regarding equitable access and reasonable accommodations.

Community Concern Form

The Community Concern Form is a resource for Carleton students, staff, and faculty throughout the year, but may also serve as an important resource for pre-college students on campus during the summer. Whether it be something you experienced or observed, please report it. There is no concern that is too minor to report, and reporting through this form may be done anonymously.

By submitting a Community Concern, you are demonstrating that you care about the people in our Carleton Summer Community and you expect that they will treat each other with respect. Thank you for your care. We will likewise take care to respect your privacy and offer you the support and resources you deserve.


When should I submit a Community Concern?

Whenever you believe that concerning behavior is affecting you or other members of our community. There is no concern that is too minor — by communicating with our community about what kind of behavior we expect from each other, we strengthen our community standards.

When the college is informed of what is occurring on campus, we can:

  • intervene if we perceive troubling patterns of behavior
  • connect community members with support and resources
  • identify what topics should be included in community education and prevention efforts

For more information about the Community Concern Form follow-up process and the offices involved in processing Community Concerns, please visit the Dean of Students web page. 

Submit a Carleton Community Concern Form.


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