Legal

Policies, Terms & Conditions

Grading & Credit Policy

STEM Institute Credit Policy

Eligibility for High School Credit:

Students in grades 8-12 are eligible to receive 1 high school honors-weighted elective credit upon the successful completion of a STEM Institute course. 12th graders who have already graduated from HS are ineligible.

Transcript Information:

The transcript provided will bear the name of our shared instruction partner institution, Inwood Early College, and not the student’s home school.
Note: It is up to your home school to determine if the credit will be accepted and how it will be applied. The STEM Institute is solely responsible for awarding the credit and has no authority over your school’s established policies and practices regarding credit. We strongly encourage you to check with your guidance counselor before enrolling in the course to ensure proper credit transfer.
The grade entered on the STEM Institute transcript will match the grade as entered on the student’s DOE student transcript.

STEM Institute Grading Policy:

90% and above: NUMERICAL GRADE
65-89%: PASS
Below 65%: FAIL

College Now Program Partnership:

Courses offered in collaboration with the College Now program may award 1-4 college credits upon successful completion.
College Now-eligible students will receive a separate transcript from City College of New York.
For College Now courses, effective Fall 2021, only grades A through C are considered passing. Lower passing grades (C-, D+, D, D-) will be converted to “CR” (credit), and failing grades (F, WD, WU, W, WN) will be converted to “NC” (no credit).

Credit Awards:

STEM Institute courses provide high school credit only, except where otherwise explicitly indicated.
College Now-eligible courses require a separate application for admission to the College Now program.

Transcript Grade Reporting Disclosure:

Grades between 65–89 are reported as PASS
Grades of 90 and above are reported numerically
Grades below 65 are reported as Failing / NC (No Credit)

Students may withdraw prior to the start of the program and must comply with the Institute’s attendance policy to remain enrolled.

STEM Institute courses are available to New York City students citywide, including those attending public, charter, or independent schools. However, only students with active NYC public school OSIS numbers in grades 8–12 are eligible to receive transcript updates for completed courses.

Classes are held in-person at The City College of New York (CUNY), after school and on Saturdays during the semester, and weekdays during the Summer.

Parents and students are informed of all grading and credit policies during orientation sessions, via email, and through signed contracts that clearly state that transcript grades are posted through shared instruction.

All student registrations, programming, and grade entries are processed through shared instruction, with Inwood Early College serving as the host DBN.

Attendance Policy

General Attendance Policy

This absence policy is designed to promote regular attendance and punctuality among students while allowing for reasonable exceptions in cases of genuine emergencies or illnesses. Attendance and punctuality are critical for success in STEM Institute programs. Students must meet the attendance thresholds below to receive credit and a passing grade. In general, students should not exceed more than 3 total absences and may not be absent more than 1 week consecutively. This ensures that students receive a sufficient amount of classroom instruction and support necessary to be successful, and minimizes the effort required of both students and staff to bring them back up to speed.

Attendance is tracked using a point system, where very 1 point accrued = 1 absence.

Unexcused absence = 1 point
- Unexcused absences are instances when students miss class, without providing prior notice. Students will be unenrolled from the program after exceeding the stated maximum allowed absences.
Excused absence = 0.5 point
- Recognizing that emergencies and unforeseen circumstances may arise, students will be allowed emergency/excused absences. These instances must be documented and can include:
  1. Illness (with a doctor’s note)
  2. Family emergencies
  3. School-related events (with prior notification)
- Documentation must be provided prior to the absence or within one week following in the case of an emergency.
Lateness = 0.25 point
- Lateness is defined as arrival more than 20 minutes late.
- Arrival more than 2 hours late = absence (excused with documentation; unexcused otherwise).

For example:

- 2 excused absences (0.5 + 0.5) = 1 absence
- 4 latenesses (0.25 × 4) = 1 absence
- 1 excused absence + 2 latenesses = 1 absence

Accountability

Students who miss classes are responsible for catching up on any missed content and submitting any missed assignments. Students may be required to complete additional assignments to demonstrate proficiency in course content.
Exceeding the allowed absences or violating the consecutive absence rule may result in dismissal from the program and/or a failing grade.
Students and families are responsible for monitoring attendance and submitting documentation promptly.
STEM will provide timely attendance updates via email and the DreamClass portal.

Grading and Elective Credit: Students in Grades 8-12 who are withdrawn due to excessive absences may receive an F grade for the course(s) affected and will not receive elective credit for those courses.

This policy strongly encourages students to attend classes regularly, be punctual, and maintain academic progress, while also establishing clear consequences for those who exceed allowable absences.

Parental Consent

Parental Consent, Media Release, & Code of Conduct @ The City College of New York & Satellite Programs

As part of their enrollment, students are expected to fully participate in scheduled activities and adhere to the policies outlined below.

Implied Consent Upon Enrollment
Upon registering a student for the STEM Institute, parents/guardians grant permission for their child to:

Participate in all instructional activities during their enrolled semester (Spring, Summer, or Fall).
Travel to and from the program using public or private transportation (at their own risk).
Be featured in promotional materials under our full media release policy.

*This binding agreement remains in effect once a student participates in any STEM Institute semester. Consent is automatically reinstated with each new semester of enrollment.

Media & Photography Release
To celebrate student achievements and share our mission, the STEM Institute, in partnership with CUNY and affiliated sponsors, may use your child’s:

Image or photograph
First name
School affiliation
Written and/or recorded testimonials

These materials may be featured in non-commercial promotions, including:

Social media content and stories
Official program websites
CUNY TV segments and publications
Educational outreach efforts
STEM Institute global partners & sponsor highlights

*This release applies to all content captured during any semester of participation and may be used globally, across all formats, with no time restriction once recorded.*

Code of Conduct

The STEM Institute is committed to fostering a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment. By enrolling, parents agree to reinforce the following expectations with their child:

Treat all peers, staff, and guests with kindness and respect.
Avoid sharing harmful, violent, or discriminatory content
Protect personal and confidential information
Represent themselves honestly—no impersonations or false claims
Follow all applicable laws and school/program policies
Violations of the Code of Conduct may result in immediate dismissal from the program without the option to return.

Contact Us
For questions or to report any concerns, please contact:

Program Administrative Office – stem@ccny.cuny.edu

Dr. Joseph Barba, Director – barba@ccny.cuny.edu

Ms. Jennifer Taveras, Associate Director – jtaveras@ccny.cuny.edu

Student Code of Conduct

STEM Institute Code of Conduct

All students are expected to uphold the following principles and standards as a member of the CCNY STEM Institute:

Respect for Others: I will treat all participants, instructors, and staff members with kindness, respect, and consideration. I will use appropriate language and refrain from making disrespectful or derogatory remarks. I will embrace diversity and appreciate the unique backgrounds and perspectives of others.

Academic Integrity: I will maintain honesty and integrity in all academic activities. I will complete tests, assignments, and projects with integrity, avoiding plagiarism by properly citing sources and giving credit to others’ work. I will actively participate in class discussions, engage in active learning, and contribute positively to the academic environment.

Responsibility and Accountability: I will attend all program sessions and arrive on time. I will come prepared with necessary materials, completed assignments, and a willingness to learn. I will take ownership of my actions and accept responsibility for any consequences resulting from my behavior.

Safety and Well-Being: I will create a safe and inclusive environment, free from bullying, harassment, or discrimination. I will report any concerns regarding safety or well-being to program staff. I will follow all safety guidelines and instructions provided by the program.

Use of Technology: I will use technology and digital resources responsibly and ethically. I will respect the privacy and confidentiality of others and refrain from unauthorized sharing of personal or sensitive information. I will adhere to the program’s guidelines regarding the appropriate use of electronic devices.

Conflict Resolution: I will seek peaceful resolution of conflicts or disagreements through open and respectful communication. I will approach conflicts with empathy, listening, and understanding different perspectives. I will involve program staff when necessary to help mediate and resolve conflicts.

Personal Conduct: I will dress appropriately and adhere to the program’s dress code policy. I will follow all rules and regulations set forth by the program, including those related to behavior, attendance, and participation. I will demonstrate good sportsmanship and support the success of others.

Parent/Guardian Involvement: I will encourage parent/guardian involvement and communicate openly with them about program activities and progress. I will respond promptly to program-related communications and requests for information from parents/guardians. I will foster a partnership between parents/guardians and the program to support the overall development of the students.

Application Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy for Online Application Form

Introduction: This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and protect personal information submitted through our online application form. We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your personal data is handled securely and in compliance with applicable data protection laws.

Information Collected: We collect the following personal information via our online application form:

Name
Address
Email
Phone number
Identification numbers (e.g., OSIS number)

Use of Information: We use the collected personal information for the following purposes:

To process your application
To communicate with you regarding your application
To verify your identity
To comply with legal and regulatory requirements
To improve our services and user experience
To respond to your inquiries

Data Security: We employ reasonable and appropriate security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Access to your data is restricted to authorized personnel who have a legitimate need to access it.

Data Sharing: We do not sell, trade, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes. However, we may share your data with the following entities when necessary:

Service providers who assist us in processing applications and providing customer support
Legal and regulatory authorities when required by law
In case of a merger, acquisition, or change in control of our organization

Cookies and Tracking: Our website may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to improve your user experience. You can adjust your browser settings to manage these technologies, but doing so may affect website functionality.

Your Rights: You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access: You can request access to the personal information we hold about you.
Correction: You can request corrections or updates to your personal information.
Deletion: You can request the deletion of your personal information.
Objection: You can object to the processing of your data for specific purposes.
Data Portability: You can request a copy of your data in a machine-readable format.

To exercise these rights or inquire about your personal data, please contact us using the contact information provided in this policy.

Changes to the Privacy Policy: We may update this Privacy Policy as necessary to reflect changes in our data handling practices or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on our website with the revised effective date.

Contact Us: If you have any questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact us at: stem@ccny.cuny.edu.

By using our online application form, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and agree to the collection and use of your personal information as described herein.

Website Terms and Conditions

Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

This document serves as an agreement between The STEM Institute (hereinafter referred to as “Company”) and all website visitors (hereinafter referred to as “User”).

By using or accessing the services provided by the Company, the User agrees to be bound by the following terms and conditions:

1. Acceptance of Terms

The User acknowledges that they have read, understood, and agreed to the terms and conditions outlined in this document. These terms and conditions may be subject to updates or modifications by the Company, and it is the User’s responsibility to review them periodically.

2. Use of Services

The User agrees to use the services provided by the Company only for lawful and authorized purposes. They will not engage in any activities that are harmful, illegal, or violate the rights of others.

3. Privacy and Data Usage

The Company may collect and process the User’s personal information as described in the Company’s Privacy Policy. By accepting these terms, the User consents to the Company’s use of their personal data in accordance with the Privacy Policy.

4. Intellectual Property

The User acknowledges that all content, trademarks, and intellectual property owned by the Company are protected by copyright and other applicable laws. They agree not to use, reproduce, or distribute such materials without the Company’s express permission.

5. Termination of Services

The Company reserves the right to terminate or suspend the User’s access to its services at its discretion, with or without cause. The User can also terminate their use of the services at any time.

6. Disclaimers

The Company provides its services “as-is” and makes no warranties or guarantees regarding their accuracy, reliability, or suitability for any specific purpose.

7. Limitation of Liability

The Company shall not be held liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from the use or inability to use its services.

8. Governing Law

This agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of New York City. Any disputes related to this agreement will be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts in New York City

9. Contact Information

For any questions or concerns related to these terms and conditions, the User may contact the Company at stem@ccny.cuny.edu.

By accepting these terms and conditions, the User acknowledges that they have read and understood them and agrees to be bound by the terms outlined herein.