2009 Catalog

Student Life

Introduction
In addition to their course work, CTY students enjoy a rich experience outside the classroom. Some students live on campus under the supervision of resident assistants (RAs).  Both residential and commuter students may participate in a variety of activities held each evening and on the weekends. More importantly, they get to know other students like themselves—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 program, we focus on ensuring that 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 the 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 RAs, who are typically college students selected on the basis of academic record, related work or volunteer experience, recommendations, and performance in an interview. RAs live with students in the residence halls, provide support and encouragement, enforce rules, and plan and conduct the recreational program. The RAs, as well as instructors, teaching assistants, and administrators, are prepared to help students adjust to the academic demands of CTY and to the experience of being away from home.

Housing
Students live in halls with single-sex floors with their RAs and are not permitted to visit opposite-sex floors. Students on the same floor share a bathroom on each of the two wings. Students will not have phone access in their rooms, but will need to use their own cell phones or the hall phone with a phone card for international calls. Most students are assigned to double rooms, but we cannot guarantee a particular housing arrangement. Whenever possible, students are assigned roommates of a similar age who are studying a related subject. We are usually unable to accommodate roommate requests.

Each RA group has approximately 12 students. The RA group is an important part of the residential experience, as it provides students with a sense of identity and belonging within the larger CTY community.

Evening Activities
When students are not in class, they attend activities planned and supervised by the resident assistants. The RAs’ goal is to offer a variety of activities so that all students can find something they enjoy doing each day. Activities range from the standard fare of board games, athletics, and arts and crafts.

Facilities
At HKUST students will have access to the gymnasium, tennis courts, outdoor fields, a pool, and the campus beach. These facilities are shared with other programs and are supervised by our staff only during scheduled activity periods. For these reasons, individual training programs and practice schedules cannot be accommodated. Students also are not permitted to use campus weight rooms.

Technology at the Sites
At HKUST, computer access is available to students at 3 computer barns, including MS Office software, email and Internet browser. However, computer access is shared with HKUST full-time students and students from other programs on campus, and availability cannot be guaranteed during peak hours of the day. We design our courses with these limitations in mind (i.e., our instructors expect hand-written work). CTY ensures, however, that students do have computer access when necessary for academic purposes.

In addition, in order to maximize community engagement and to minimize distractions, the program limits the use of cell phones, mp3 players, and other technologies. Further information about our technology policies and procedures is contained in our student site information packets, sent out after enrollment.

Weekends
Classes do not meet on weekends. Instead, residential students participate in a full schedule of recreational and social activities, which are supervised by the RAs and administrative staff. In addition to sports and games, weekend activities include special events such as carnivals, dances, movies, and a talent show. Some students choose to attend religious services. Students also have down time in the mornings to catch up on laundry or just relax and talk with friends.