2026 Policies and Code of Conduct

All students attending SLAI and their guardians must sign the 2026 Policies and Code of Conduct through the CampDoc portal.

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 in 3-week courses. 1-week courses are not eligible for credit.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.

Boundaries

All students must abide by the boundaries set by the SLAI staff. Students are allowed to travel within the deemed with at least one other student from SLAI. If a SLAI student and their buddy would like to leave the campus, within the bounds, they need to notify a SLAI staff member. Additional transportation information can be found in the SLAI code of conduct.

Cell Phone and Ability to Contact

As a condition of participation in the program:

  • SLAI participants must have a working cell phone for the duration of the program experience. 
  • Participant cell phones must have a data plan that does not require one to be connected to WiFi to make and receive calls. If students do not have a domestic (United States) number, they must update their cell phone with a U.S. number and new SIM card or purchase a temporary phone for use in the program.
  • Parent/guardian and Emergency contacts listed in pre-arrival documents must be reachable by phone during the duration of the program. 
  • It is the responsibility of the participant and parent/guardian to ensure all cell phone numbers are up to date in the SLAI system and functional for the duration of the program.

2026 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 16, 2026 will receive a refund of all fees paid over and above the $75 Application Fee
  • Between April 17 and April 30, 2026 will receive a refund of 50% of all fees paid over and above the $75 Application Fee
  • On or after May 1, 2026 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. Credit card fees will be deducted from any refunds processed, including duplicate payments.

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.