Updated: 02/09/2026

Section 1: Purpose and Scope

The Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth (“CTY”) is committed to academic excellence and provides unique opportunities for intellectually curious people from diverse backgrounds to come together in pursuit of academic challenge and growth, within a supportive environment built on respect, responsibility, and trust.

CTY expects the highest standards of behavior both in conduct and in dedication to academic pursuits. The CTY Student Code of Conduct (“Code”) sets forth the expectations for all participants to ensure a safe, inclusive, and academically enriching environment. By enrolling in CTY programs, each student and their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) acknowledge that they have read, understood, and agree to abide by all standards and procedures in this Code. For purposes of this Code, a “student” is any individual registered in one or more activities, programs, or courses offered by CTY.

CTY welcomes students of all backgrounds and is committed to providing a learning environment free from discrimination, harassment, violence, and bullying. Discrimination, harassment, violence, and bullying of any kind—including based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion, or other protected status—are strictly prohibited.

This Code defines three interconnected sets of student conduct standards designed to support a positive learning environment for all students—whether online, in the classroom, or in informal settings. These standards cover respectful behavior, academic integrity, and appropriate digital conduct and technology use. This Code also describes the procedures used by CTY to address potential violations of those standards.

CTY may amend this Code from time to time. Nothing in this Code shall affect the inherent authority of CTY to take actions deemed necessary to further the educational mission of CTY and to protect the safety and security of the CTY community. CTY reserves the right to dismiss any student from the program at any time and without procedure. This authority is exercised at the sole discretion of CTY to ensure the continued safety, security, and well-being of the CTY community. Dismissal may occur if a student fails to adhere to the standards and expectations outlined in the Code or engages in any behavior that CTY deems is inconsistent with the mission and standards of CTY.

Section 2: Standards for Student Conduct

A: Respectful Behavior

Students are expected to show respect for themselves and for the peers and adults that make up the CTY community. These standards encompass behaviors exhibited during in-person experiences and during online experiences, as well as in communications among community members.

All students are expected to:

  • Be respectful. Respect individuals of all races, cultures, religions, genders, gender identities or expressions, ages, sexual orientations, abilities, and national origins. Behave in a cooperative, safe, and responsible manner toward all people in the CTY community and to people at host institutions and local communities facilitating CTY programs. The use or display of epithets, slurs, offensive images, and/or negative stereotyping are strictly prohibited. In addition, physical violence, threats, name-calling, bullying, ridiculing, belittling, shaming, hazing, intimidation, and the use derogatory language of any kind are strictly prohibited.
  • Lead with kindness and civility. Be respectful and kind in all interactions. Be thoughtful with tone in speaking and writing. Remember that it’s especially hard for others to recognize emotions when they can’t see and hear the speaker.
  • Be appropriate. Students should be mindful that many CTY programs include participants of varying ages and maturity levels. All speech and conduct must be suitable for a diverse, mixed-age community. Students should avoid jokes, comments, physical interactions, or other speech or conduct that are inappropriate for this setting. Students are also required to comply with the conduct expectations set forth in Sections II and III of the University’s Revised Interim Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures (“Sexual Misconduct Policy”).
  • Support a safe space for ideas. Respect the ideas of others. Stay on topic in discussions and use course information to support arguments. Disagree respectfully. Reread online posts before sending to make sure they clearly communicate ideas in a scholarly way.
  • Support a safe space for individuals.
    • Be conscious of interactions with others. Strictly avoid any physical, verbal, or electronic conduct that could reasonably be interpreted as risking, threatening, or causing physical or emotional harm to any person, including yourself. Tell a staff member if feeling bullied or unsafe.
    • Never engage in physical violence or threats.
    • Never engage in illegal activity.
    • Stay within physical boundaries at all CTY spaces and events:
      • Know which parts of campus are open to CTY students, which are off limits, and at what times; be where you are supposed to be when—and only when—you are supposed to be there;
      • Stay on campus unless you’re accompanied by a staff member or have been properly checked out by your parent, legal guardian, or an authorized adult;
      • Stay in your own room after lights-out except when using the restroom or seeking assistance from a staff member for an emergency situation;
      • Enter another student’s or employee’s dorm room only with permission from all occupants of the room, and only at times when it’s okay to be outside your own room; and
      • Enter other halls only with permission from a staff member.
    • Show respect for the expectation of privacy in spaces such as restrooms and bathing facilities.
      • Never engage in any conduct that violates privacy, such as opening a stall door or shower curtain on someone.
      • Never use phones or other devices capable of taking pictures or making recordings in these spaces.
    • Comply with medication management policies:
      • All prescription and non-prescription medications must be stored in the health office and dispensed by health office staff according to prescribed schedules;
      • Students with urgent-use or emergency medications (such as inhalers, EpiPens, or insulin) may keep these with them only with specific written authorization from the health office; and
      • Students must never share medications with other students or take medications not prescribed to them.
    • Maintain a safe, substance-free environment:
      • Never possess, use, distribute, or be under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, marijuana/cannabis (regardless of state law), other controlled substances, or drug-related paraphernalia;
      • Never possess, use, or misuse prescription medications (except as specifically authorized and managed by program health staff);
      • Never possess, use, or distribute tobacco products or e-cigarettes/vaping devices;
      • Never possess any weapons or other items that could be used to threaten or harm others (weapons include without limitation guns, firearms, shotguns, rifles, air rifles, paintball and pellet guns, BB guns, Tasers, knives, chemicals, and explosives including without limitation fireworks); and
      • Never possess other items prohibited at CTY.
  • Respect property. Respect the property of others. The touching, handling, or using of another person’s property should only be done with clear, express permission of the property owner.
  • Protect privacy. Respect the privacy of others. This includes:
    • Not sharing other students' personal information (names, contact information, photos, home locations, etc.) with anyone outside the program without their explicit permission;
    • Not sharing, posting, or distributing other students' work, or posts, or comments related to their CTY work;
    • Not sharing access links to virtual workspaces (such as Zoom links) with anyone not enrolled in the program; and
    • Not photographing, recording, or generating (whether audio or video), or sharing photos, videos, or voice recordings of classmates, employees, or others without their explicit permission.
  • Be present. Attend all scheduled in-person or virtual events, including all class sessions, meals, social activities, and meetings. This includes:
    • Arriving on time;
    • Remaining for the entire duration of activities;
    • Actively participating and engaging with the material and with others; and
    • Minimizing distractions and staying focused on the activity at hand.
  • Take responsibility for own work and actions. Acknowledge conflict or inappropriate behavior and demonstrate effort to improve. Have personal integrity: do the right thing even when no one is looking. If unsure whether an action is permitted, ask.
  • Cooperate with CTY staff supervision. Comply with all instructions, directions, and requests of CTY staff. If uncomfortable with a request, bring it to the attention of another staff member

B: Academic Integrity

All students must adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty and integrity in all programs and services associated with CTY. Although academic integrity is a form of respectful behavior, the focus in this section is on the way coursework in the classroom and on assignments is completed and represented.

All students are expected to:

  • Strive to do their best work.
  • Present their own original work.
  • Use appropriate acknowledgement. When including the work of others, whether paraphrasing, using direct quotes, or extrapolating, acknowledge the source of the material.
  • Appropriately use AI. The use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) such as ChatGPT or similar tools, is not considered original work and may not be submitted as your own work. Students may only use AI tools when:
    • The course instructor has specifically authorized AI use for a particular assignment or purpose; and
    • The student clearly discloses and acknowledges where and how AI assistance was used.
  • Seek permission for tool use. Technology is rapidly changing. As new tools become available, students must seek permission for their use to ensure that it is not interfering with learning objectives or producing an unfair advantage.
  • Refrain from cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, and facilitating academic dishonesty.
    • Cheating occurs when a student uses books, notes, or other aids, including generative AI, not permitted by the instructor, or copies work from another student. Examples include, but are not limited to, failing to follow rules for online or in-person assignments and assessments (e.g., time-limits, closed-book, calculator, phone, or other mobile device use, etc.); asking another student to provide answers on a non-collaborative assignment or assessment; and unauthorized use of generative AI.
    • Plagiarism occurs when a student intentionally presents another’s work as their own or takes credit for someone else’s ideas. This includes using another’s words, phrases, code, theories, or ideas verbatim, as well as paraphrasing them, or using AI-generated material, without acknowledging the source. Additionally, self-plagiarism occurs when a student submits the same or substantially similar work for multiple courses without permission.
    • Fabrication occurs when a student misrepresents or makes up data, quotations, sources, or other information or uses AI-generated information that they have not independently verified and acknowledged.
    • Facilitating Academic Dishonesty occurs when one student helps, asks, persuades, or pressures another student to cheat, plagiarize, fabricate, or engage in any form of academic dishonesty.

C: Digital Conduct and Technology Use

General Principles
Students must follow the same standards of respectful behavior and academic integrity when using technology as they do in physical spaces. Personal electronic devices (including but not limited to smartphones, tablets, laptops, computers, smartwatches, cameras, and any other internet-enabled or recording devices) must be used in a manner consistent with this Code.

(1) Prohibited Digital Conduct
Students shall not:

Engage in Harassment or Bullying, including but not limited to:

  • Using technology to harass, bully, haze, stalk, abuse, threaten, intimidate, or defame any person;
  • Sending messages, images, posts, recordings, or other content that appear to come from someone other than the actual sender (impersonation);
  • Engaging in identity theft or forging electronic communications; or
  • Using technology to engage in, support, or promote harassment or discrimination of any individual or group.

Engage with Inappropriate Content of a Sexual Nature, including but not limited to:

  • Creating, sending, forwarding, posting, or distributing sexually explicit messages, photographs, images, or videos;
  • Creating, possessing, or distributing sexually explicit images or videos of minors (this conduct is illegal and will be reported to law enforcement); or
  • Accessing, downloading, obtaining, posting, or distributing pornography.

Engage in Privacy Violations or Unauthorized Recording, including but not limited to:

  • Making, or attempting to make, any audio or visual recording, photograph, screenshot, or any other visual or audio content of any person(s) without the knowledge and explicit permission of all person(s) being recorded or photographed;
  • Using recording devices (cameras, phones, tablets, etc.) in locations where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy, including but not limited to:
    • Bathrooms and restrooms
    • Changing rooms and locker rooms
    • Shower facilities
    • Health offices during medical consultations;
  • Sharing, posting, or distributing photographs, audio or visual recordings, screenshots, videos, contact information, personal information, or any other content involving classmates or other person without their explicit permission; or
  • Sharing access credentials, links, or passwords to virtual workspaces (such as Zoom) with anyone not enrolled in the program.

Engage in Other Prohibited Technology Use, including but not limited to:

  • Modifying, manipulating, tampering with, or access without authorization the hardware, software, apps, files, and data on another individual's personal electronic device;
  • Engaging in copyright infringement; or violation of vendor licensing agreements;
  • Using technology to violate any other provision of this Code; or
  • Engaging in any illegal activity using technology.

(2) Proper Device Use and Management
Students must:

  • Keep all devices (phones, tablets, laptops, cameras, smartwatches, etc.) secured in backpacks, bags, or pockets—and turned off or silenced—while in restrooms, bathrooms, changing areas, and any other location where privacy is expected;
  • Use devices only during designated times and for authorized purposes;
  • Limit device use during class sessions and structured activities to purposes directly related to the activity, unless specifically authorized by the instructor or other staff member;
  • Follow all program-specific and site-specific device policies provided at the start of the program; and
  • Not use devices in ways that disrupt learning, activities, or community life.

(3) Consequences for Technology Violations
In addition to the consequences outlined below for violations of this Code, violations of these technology standards may also result in immediate confiscation of devices. Violations involving illegal conduct will promptly be reported to law enforcement and referred to the University’s Office of Institutional Equity. 

Section 3: Procedures for Alleged Code Violations

CTY is committed to responding to alleged violations of this Code in a consistent, and timely manner that is fair to all involved. The procedures outlined below provide a framework for reporting misconduct, conducting reviews, and determining the appropriate outcomes. 

CTY staff will naturally encounter student behaviors and minor infractions, such as talking out of turn in class, that need correction but fall below the level of seriousness that warrant these procedures. These procedures do not replace the processes used for documenting and addressing those less severe incidents and concerns. The below procedures are for incidents that require significant CTY attention because of their severity or their recurrence.

A: Reporting, Initial Documentation, and Assessment

All members of the CTY community, including students, are expected to report suspected violations of the Code. Reports should be made to any CTY staff member as soon as possible and no later than 24 hours after the incident occurs or is discovered. If the staff member who receives the report is not a supervisor, they will immediately forward the report to the appropriate supervising staff member, or their designee, for assessment. 

B: Interim Supportive Measures

In cases where, if substantiated, the reported conduct presents an immediate safety risk to any student or community member, the supervising staff member may implement interim supportive measures while the assessment is ongoing. These may include:

  • Temporarily separating students;
  • Temporarily restricting a student’s access to certain activities or facilities; and
  • Increasing supervision.

Interim supportive measures are not disciplinary sanctions and do not indicate a determination that a violation occurred. Parents/legal guardians of the student receiving interim supportive measures will be promptly notified of the reported conduct and measures implemented.

C: Supervisory Review and Initial Determination

The supervising staff member will review all documentation and conduct an initial assessment of the reported conduct. This assessment may include:

  • Reviewing all documentation and other information provided;
  • Speaking with the student(s) whose conduct may have violated the Code;
  • Speaking with any affected students or witnesses;
  • Consulting with other staff members who have relevant information; and
  • Reviewing the student's conduct history, if applicable.

Based on this assessment, the supervising staff member will make one of three determinations:

(1) No Violation
The supervising staff member determines that no violation of the Code occurred based on the available information. The matter is documented and closed. No disciplinary action is taken. The student and parents/legal guardians (if they were previously notified) are informed that the matter has been resolved with no finding of a violation.

In some cases, even when no violation is found, the student may still receive educational guidance about the behavior if there are concerns that similar behavior in the future would reflect a pattern that amounts to a violation. 

(2) Minor Violation with Verbal Warning
The supervising staff member determines that a violation occurred but that it is minor in nature and is the student's first offense. The student receives a verbal warning, and the staff member may implement program-level corrective action, which may include:

  • Review of relevant Code provisions with the student;
  • Temporary restrictions on specific privileges;
  • Written reflection assignment;
  • Restorative conversation facilitated by staff; and/or
  • Increased check-ins with staff.

The violation, warning, and any corrective action are documented. Parents/legal guardians of the student receiving the warning are promptly notified of the violation and the outcome. If the student commits another violation, this prior warning will be considered in determining consequences for the subsequent violation.

(3) Violation Requiring Committee Review
The supervising staff member determines that:

  • The reported misconduct, if substantiated, may warrant consequences beyond a verbal warning due to its seriousness;
  • The student has already received a warning for a violation;
  • The reported misconduct involves potential harm to others or the community; or
  • The circumstances are complex and warrant additional review.

In these cases, the matter is referred to the CTY Student Conduct Committee (“Committee”) via the relevant program staff.

Student and parents/legal guardians shall be notified as soon as practical, generally within 24 hours of any reported conduct that is referred to the Student Conduct Committee. Committee review (see below) and actions may occur concurrent with contact with parents/legal guardians.

Any immediate actions required to ensure the safety of all students (e.g., temporary separation of students, etc.) will be promptly initiated.

D: Student Conduct Committee Review

The Student Conduct Committee consists of three members with leadership roles at CTY, and a coordinator. CTY may have separate coordinators for behavioral, digital conduct and academic integrity cases. A senior CTY director is appointed as the executive sponsor to provide oversight and advice as needed, but does not participate in the Committee’s deliberations or vote on outcomes. Committee members must recuse themselves from any matter in which they have a direct personal involvement or conflict of interest. The role of the Committee is to conduct an objective, thorough review of the alleged student misconduct, determine if a violation of the Code occurred, and recommend a course of action. The Committee will make its decisions based on its assessment that it is more likely than not that a violation occurred. 

When a case requires Committee review, the supervising staff member or Conduct Committee coordinator prepares a comprehensive case file that includes:

  • A detailed description of the reported conduct;
  • A timeline of all relevant events;
  • A brief description of any communications with the student/family or others involved in the incident;
  • A description of any interim actions that may have occurred (such as a staff member warning to a student); and
  • All other relevant information, including statements from staff or students with direct knowledge of the incident, photographs, electronic communications, or other documentation.

The Committee will promptly begin its review upon receiving access to the file from the supervising staff member or Conduct Committee coordinator.

The Committee may request materials or ask for clarification on any element of the incident(s). The Committee may request that additional information be sought from the student(s) or staff involved.

In addition to their review of materials in the file, the Committee’s determination will be based upon:

  • Any additional (synchronous or asynchronous) discussion with staff who witnessed the incident(s);
  • Any additional (synchronous or asynchronous) discussion with staff who reported the incident(s); and/or
  • Any additional (synchronous or asynchronous) discussion with staff in contact with the student(s) involved.

The Committee makes one of the following determinations: 

  • No violation has occurred.
    • Record the determination and date in the case timeline.
    • Student may still receive educational guidance about the behavior if there are concerns that a similar behavior in the future would reflect a pattern that amounts to a violation of this Code.
    • If family has been contacted, they will receive an email notification explaining the outcome and any actions.
  • The incident(s) constitutes a violation of this Code.
    • Record the determination in the case timeline.
    • Move immediately to issue and implement Consequences (See Section 3(E) below). 

E: Consequences 

CTY believes in helping students learn from their mistakes and emphasizes restorative actions in determining consequences. Consequences vary as a function of the type of violation, severity of the violation, and the potential impact of the violation and consequences on other participants of the program or activity. The safety of our community and the integrity of our programs must also be maintained.

For violations of the Respectful Behavior Standards and Digital Conduct/Technology Standards, students may be subject to the following outcomes, alone or in combination: 

  • Written warning and review of the Code: For violations that do not represent a threat to the safety of our community and/or the integrity of our programs, students may be allowed to continue their activities after a review of the Code with a staff member. This review may or may not include the student’s parent(s)/legal guardians depending on the timing, the type of program, and the nature of the violation. Additional violations following a written warning are grounds for dismissal.
  • Restorative action: For violations that do not represent a threat to the safety of our community and/or the integrity of our programs, the Committee may assign the student an activity that helps them to reflect upon the violation and work towards a higher standard going forward. Such activities may include written reflections on the behavior and its impact; written or verbal apologies to the affected individuals; discussions with a counselor at an in-person site; participation in educational programs; or other activities designed to promote learning and accountability. Additional violations are grounds for dismissal.
  • Restricted Activities or Privileges: For more serious violations and/or when a student has a prior violation on record, the Committee may assign restrictions on participation in certain activities or privileges for some or all of the student’s remaining time in the program. Additional violations are grounds for dismissal.
  • Dismissal from the program: For violations that represent a severe or ongoing threat to the safety of our community and/or to the integrity of our programs, or for repeated violations, students may be dismissed from the program. Dismissal means immediate termination of participation in all program activities. For in-person programs, a decision to dismiss will result in immediate removal from classes and activities and removal from the site at the earliest possible point for the family. Residential students will be moved off their halls while awaiting pick up. Students who are dismissed from the program because they have violated the Code will not be eligible for any refunds of any program fees, including tuition, room and board, or other program costs.
  • Email notifications of conduct committee decisions will include information on any conditions surrounding a student’s eligibility to return to a future program. For violations that represent such a severe or ongoing threat to the safety of our community and/or the integrity of our program that they preclude a restorative approach, students will be deemed ineligible for future CTY courses and programs.

Conduct alleged to violate the University’s Sexual Misconduct Policy will be investigated and resolved pursuant to the University’s Adjudication Procedures for Title IX Sexual and Sex-Based Misconduct Involving Minor Participants in Non-degree Programs.

For violations of the Academic Integrity Standards, students may be subject to the following outcomes, alone or in combination: 

  • Written warning and review of the Code: For violations that are minor, including but not limited to those where a student acknowledges and demonstrates remorse, students may receive a written warning and review of the Code. Additional violations are grounds for dismissal.
  • Assignment resubmission: When the violation is associated with one or more graded activities (tests and assignments), the student may (at the discretion of the applicable instructor) be given the opportunity to replace the assignment for full or partial credit. Students who do not complete the resubmission will receive a zero on the items for which the violation occurred. Additional violations are grounds for dismissal.
  • Zero credit on assignment: When the violation is associated with one or more graded activities (tests and assignments), the student may (at the discretion of the applicable instructor) be given a zero on the assignment with no option to resubmit. Additional violations are grounds for dismissal.
  • Dismissal from the course/program: If the violation is deemed sufficiently blatant or repeated, the student may be dismissed from the course or the program. For graded courses, the student will receive a failing course grade.
  • For violations that represent such a severe or ongoing threat to the safety of our community and/or the integrity of our program that they preclude a restorative approach, students will be deemed ineligible for future CTY courses and programs.

Students dismissed from a program for violations of the Code, or who voluntarily withdraw after being notified of possible violations of the Code, are not eligible for refunds of any program fees, including tuition, room and board, or other program costs.

F: Appeals 

Families may appeal the decision of the Committee by submitting a written appeal to the Office of the Executive Director within 48 hours of the email notification date. After reviewing the Committee’s complete documentation of the evidence and review process, along with all communications provided to the student and family, the Executive Director will assess whether the procedures articulated in this Code were followed. Appeals shall be granted solely on the basis of failure to comply with these procedures. 

Students who have been dismissed from a program may not remain in the program or at a program site during the appeal process. If the appeal is granted and the dismissal is reversed, CTY will work with the family to determine whether reentry to the program is feasible given timing and other practical considerations. Other consequences (such as restorative actions) generally remain in effect during the appeal process unless the Executive Director determines that staying the consequence pending appeal is appropriate.

The Executive Director shall render a final decision on all appeals, and the outcome of that decision shall be provided via email to the family. No further appeals are permitted.

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