School Policies - Campus Life - Memphis University School

ABSENCES

If a student is to get the most from his experience at MUS, he must attend class. Unexcused absences are major disciplinary offenses.

When a student is absent, his parents should notify Mary Nell Easum in the Upper School Office or Julia DeBardeleben in the Lower School Office by 8:30 a.m. and explain the reason for his absence. The student should obtain his assignments from the website (www.musowls.org/NetCommunity/Assignments) or a classmate, prepare these assignments, and appear in class with all assignments on the day that he returns to school. The school will make reasonable accommodations in cases of illness.

A student who knows in advance that he will be absent from a class is expected to notify the office and his teachers and make arrangements for all work that will be missed. It is in his best interest to complete the missed work in advance.

A student may not participate in athletic practices, games, plays, musical performances, or rehearsals if he has been absent during the course of the day. The principal determines any exception to this rule.

ALCOHOL, DRUGS, AND TOBACCO

We believe that teenagers should not use alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs at all. Their use is, first and foremost, illegal. They interfere with emotional, physical, and psychological development; and they can lead to horrific situations. We believe that the primary responsibility for supervision of MUS students when they are not participating in school activities lies with their parents. The school certainly has a role to play, but our impact is far less critical than parental impact. The school's role is to support parents in their responsibility and authority by offering information and programs that will inform and encourage parental efforts at combating the use of alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drugs by their sons. The school also makes clear to students and their parents that possession or use on campus will not be tolerated and that severe consequences ensue if students violate this policy.

MUS promotes Alcohol and Other Drug Education through our Counseling Services.

Alcoholic Beverages

Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on campus or at school functions off campus. Any student who uses alcoholic beverages at school functions, whether on or off campus, or who comes to school functions after having drunk alcoholic beverages will be subject to expulsion from the school.

Drugs

Non-prescribed or illegal drugs are not allowed on campus or at school functions off campus. Any student who possesses, who is under the influence of, or who sells or distributes non-prescribed or illegal drugs or drug paraphernalia on campus or at school functions off campus will be subject to expulsion. Any student who possesses prescribed drugs but sells or distributes them on campus or at school functions off campus will be subject to expulsion. The school maintains the right to test students based on reasonable suspicion. Confirmed positive test results may result in expulsion from the school.

Tobacco

The use or possession of tobacco in any form is strictly forbidden anywhere on the school campus or at school functions off campus.

ATHLETIC ELIGIBILITY

The school follows the policy of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association to determine whether a student is eligible to participate in interscholastic athletics. To be eligible at the varsity and junior varsity level, a student must earn five credits the preceding school year. (Credits must be earned by the first day of the school year.) Students who are ineligible for the first semester may gain eligibility for the second semester by passing five credit courses first semester. All questions dealing with athletic eligibility should be referred to the Athletic Director.

CAMPUS HOURS

The buildings are opened at 7:30 a.m. and closed at 4:00 p.m. on school days. Between 4:00 p.m. and 7:30 a.m., the campus is considered closed to students except for official school functions. Students not remaining for make-up work or other after-school activities must be picked up promptly at dismissal time. When school is dismissed early, the buildings are closed 45 minutes after dismissal. Once a student arrives on campus, he is to remain on campus until the school day ends. Upper School students whose scheduled free period begins at 2:15 p.m. on Friday have permission to leave campus at that time.

CAMPUS VISITS

Students are not to visit other school campuses without permission from that school's administration.

CELL PHONES AND ELECTRONIC DEVICES

Cell phones may be brought to school, but they must be turned off and should be kept in the student's locker or vehicle. Use of a cell phone during the academic day (8:10 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.) will result in disciplinary consequences.

Parents who need to contact their sons should call the appropriate school office (see also Messages).

Tape players, CD players, iPods, MP3 devices, electronic games, and similar equipment are not permitted at school and must not be used during the school day unless they are needed as part of a class project or demonstration.

The use of any electronic device (other than calculators approved by a math or science teacher), including but not limited to cell phones, hand held computers, iPhones, and Blackberrys, will be considered prima facie evidence of cheating and will result in an Honor Council conviction, if such use during an exam, quiz, or test is proven.

CHECKING IN/OUT OF SCHOOL

A student who is tardy or who needs to leave school during the regular school day must report to the office to sign in or out. A student may not check out unless a parent has given permission in writing or by phone.

CLASS CUTS

Students are expected to attend all classes (including physical education classes), supervised study sessions, and assemblies unless they have received prior clearance from the office to miss. With each class cut, three points will be deducted from the quarter average (see also Tardiness).

CODE OF CONDUCT – INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS OF MEMPHIS

The Memphis Association of Independent Schools, recognizing its responsibility to students and parents, believes all social and extracurricular activities sponsored by the school should be wholesome experiences for all participants.

Socially useful school activities can be continued only under supervision and strict adherence to regulations concerning student conduct. Misbehavior on any independent school campus by students of any independent school (particularly misbehavior involving the use of alcohol and other drugs) will be reported by the administrator of the school where the incident occurs to the administrator of the school in which other involved students are enrolled. The concerned school administrator will acknowledge his awareness of the misbehavior and follow through with appropriate discipline of those involved in the misbehavior, including notification of the students cited.

The increasing use of alcohol by students is a matter of grave concern to everyone involved with student well-being. Only the combined efforts of school administrators, parents, and students can lead to the solution of this serious problem. In addition to expressing their desire to keep alcoholic beverages from their campus, it must be firmly stated that school administrators deplore and discourage the serving of alcoholic beverages to any student at any place, in any form, before or after school-related social and extracurricular functions. The following schools will inform their communities of this policy of mutual assistance and ask for the full cooperation of all adults and students:

The Bodine School
Bornblum Solomon Schechter School
Briarcrest Christian School
Central Day School
Christ Methodist Day School
Christ the King Lutheran School
Christian Brothers High School
Evangelical Christian School
First Assembly Christian School
Grace-St. Luke's Episcopal School
Harding Academy of Memphis
Hutchison School
Incarnation Catholic School
Lamplighter Montessori School
Lausanne Collegiate School
Madonna Learning Center
Memphis University School
New Hope Christian Academy
Presbyterian Day School
Rossville Christian Academy
Southern Baptist Educational Center
St. Agnes Academy-St. Dominic School
St. Benedict at Auburndale
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School
St. George's Independent Schools
St. Mary's Episcopal School
Tipton Rosemark Academy
Trinity Christian Academy
University School of Jackson
Westminster Academy
Woodland Presbyterian School

COMPUTER ACCESS RULES AND REGULATIONS

The school has invested substantially in computing and network resources to support its curricular, extracurricular, and administrative goals. Students are enthusiastically encouraged to use the school's resources in a manner consistent with these goals. However, it is important for students and parents to understand that access to computing and network resources is a privilege, not a right.

As a privilege, access to computing and network resources comes with a set of accompanying responsibilities and requirements.

Students should respect and observe all national, state, and local laws with respect to computer usage. Students should be especially aware of copyright restrictions and use school systems in a manner that respects the rights of the copyright holders.
Students should not attempt to gain access to the school's computers or networks using another community member's login information. This is true whether or not that other community member gives his consent.
Students should respect the privacy of others. Students should not attempt to gain access to information that is not intended for them.
Computers should be used only for academic and school-sponsored extracurricular purposes.
Students should never load outside software or download software onto the school's computers.
Students should at all times respect and follow instructions provided by the technology staff.

MUS Network Access

The school maintains wireless access for students and visitors throughout the campus.
Personal computers and mobile devices that need access to the MUS network must be checked-in with the technology staff.
Personal computers are required to maintain up-to-date anti-virus protection.
Personal computers and mobile devices used on campus are subject to the same restrictions as school-provided equipment.
Personal computers and mobile devices are to be used only for academic purposes while on campus.
The school reserves the right to install software on personal computers and mobile devices for security purposes.

Internet Access

The school uses filtering software to try to prevent unintentional access to objectionable content, but students are also expected not to actively seek out such content.
Students should not attempt to subvert the filtering software by any means, including the use of proxy.
Students should not actively seek to use another community member's login information to subvert the filtering software.

Computer Labs

No food or drink should be in the computer lab area. Students should not congregate at computers unless for specific academic projects.
Students should not disrupt others while they are working.
Students should clean up after themselves when finished in the lab.

Email Access

Students should not send emails that could be interpreted as a nuisance or a threat.
Students must not create personal distribution lists.
Students should not use the school-created distribution lists for personal, non-academic or commercial use.
Students should use only the school-created distribution lists and have approval for their use.
Students should realize that their electronic communications can have a significant impact on their reputations and the school's reputation, and they should always consider that impact when communicating with others.

Students who fail to uphold their responsibilities will have their access to computing and network resources suspended for a substantial period or revoked entirely, and certain offenses could also constitute Honor Code violations. Violators will endure the academic and extracurricular consequences that come from their loss of access.

CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE

Memphis University School insists that its students live up to high standards of honor, industry, and obedience. All students are to understand that in order to maintain the high standards of gentlemanly behavior on the part of its students, the school reserves the right to suspend or expel a student guilty of misconduct – whether occurring on or off the school campus. The school hopes to create such a spirit of cooperation between the faculty and the students that discipline will be self-imposed rather than forced.

The school recognizes that we are working with boys who, as all of us do, make mistakes. It is very important that the school take these opportunities to educate the student about responsibility and accountability. The school is aggressive in its efforts to applaud those who excel, but it firmly believes that when students fail to reach the mark, they must be held accountable. In that vein, the school will assign penalties that are appropriate. For penalties to be an effective tool, it is imperative that they be served as soon as possible and that the parents fully support the school in holding the student accountable.

CONDUCT GRADES

In the Lower School, a student whose daily conduct and/or conduct grades at any one or more grading period(s) is not acceptable is assigned Wednesday Morning Early School penalties. A boy with a "U" or "N" may be placed on Disciplinary Probation while also being assigned any number of practical assignments and penalties in an effort to encourage a scholarly attitude within himself and within the school community.

In the Upper School, students with a "U" or two "N's" in conduct are assigned to a Supervised Study Session.

DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE

The Discipline Committee hears special cases of misconduct or flagrant violations of school rules except violations of the Honor Code.

The Discipline Committee in the Upper School consists of the Assistant Principal (Chairman), four faculty members, and a student (Commissioner of Student Welfare). The Lower School Discipline Committee consists of the Principal, Assistant Principal, Counselor, and two faculty members.

DRESS AND GROOMING

Acceptability of dress depends heavily on neatness. Students are expected to arrive on campus dressed appropriately and should remain so dressed until they leave campus. Acceptable attire is required during the exam period as well. Appropriate attire includes:

Dress slacks worn with belt or suspenders.
Collared shirts, full turtlenecks, or sweaters with appropriate shirt underneath.
Shirttails tucked in.
Shoes must be in good repair. Athletic shoes or sandals may not be worn. Socks must be worn and must completely cover the ankle bone.
Students are required to wear a sport coat, dress shirt, and tie to assembly on Friday . The shirt and tie are worn throughout the day.

Examples of clothing not permissible are short pants, military and hunting wear, denim clothes, athletic wear, T-shirts, caps, mock-turtleneck shirts, short-cut socks, sandals, and athletic shoes. Students may not wear earrings.

Acceptability of grooming depends on neatness as well. Appropriate grooming includes:

Clean-shaven face.
Hair must be neatly and appropriately groomed so that it stays out of the eyes, above the mid-point of the ear , and above the collar in the back. Sideburns may not extend below the earlobe.

Examples of inappropriate grooming are hair of extreme style or color, mustaches, and ponytails.

Decisions concerning dress and grooming will be left to the discretion of the administration. Students who refuse to conform to the dress and grooming regulations will face major disciplinary action. Unless otherwise stated, all students participating in an extracurricular activity should conform to the dress and grooming code.

DRIVING ON CAMPUS

The campus speed limit is 15 miles per hour. Driving on campus is a privilege, not a right. Students who do not drive safely and courteously will lose their privilege to drive on campus. Extreme caution should be exercised while driving on campus, particularly at stop signs, in the one-way drives at the Entrance Court and near Hull Lower School, and on the road to Hutchison.

DRUGS (See Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco)

EMERGENCY CLOSING

In the event of adverse weather conditions prior to the beginning of the school day, the school will follow the decision made by the Memphis City Schools, and an Owls Alert emergency message will be sent. Please do not call the school office or school officials. During the school day, if weather conditions or other emergency dictates, the school will make the decision to close, and an Owls Alert message will be sent. Owls Alert messages are sent to all phone numbers and email addresses that you provided the school on the re-enrollment contract. If you have updated phone numbers or email addresses, please send them to jean.saunders@musowls.org.

Download Owls Alert Form

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

The school responds to severe weather with a practiced procedure of securing students as quickly and as safely as possible in the most secure environment that the facility offers. We highly discourage early checkouts of students during severe weather events. In any real emergency, students are not to leave campus without permission from the administration. Buildings are safer than vehicles during these events. The school needs the driving lanes on campus to be as free as possible for emergency vehicles and for orderly dimissal from school once conditions improve in accordance with the National Weather Service.

Specific directions are posted in each classroom outlining fire, tornado, and earthquake procedures. Students should react immediately to faculty instructions. Throughout the year, periodic emergency drills are held.

In the event of a tornado threat, the school bell or announcements on the school intercom will be used to alert all students. With this alert, students should move quietly to designated areas away from glass windows and should protect their heads.

Protection under desks should be sought immediately in the event of an earthquake. With the cessation of seismic activity, students should follow faculty instructions and assemble by homerooms on the north side of the Administration building.

Download Owls Alert Form

EXCUSE FROM PHYSICAL EDUCATION

If a student is unable to participate because of illness and cannot dress out, he should bring a note from his parent to the physical education teacher explaining the illness, and he will be excused. In the event of a prolonged illness, a student should bring a doctor's note.

FRATERNITIES

The school forbids a student to be a member of a fraternity or a social club. If a new student is a member of a fraternity, he will have to give up his membership.

GAMBLING

Gambling is not permitted on campus under any circumstances.

GUM

Students are not allowed to chew gum at school.

HONOR VIOLATIONS

A student found guilty of an honor violation will be subject to dismissal from school. There may be instances when it may be judged by the Council and administration that the degree of the violation merits giving the student a second chance. This judgment will vary with the student's age and tenure under the Honor Code. If the first violation is treated as an opportunity for guidance, the student, in all likelihood, will be suspended, placed on probation, and counseled by the Director of Counseling Services. A second violation may well invoke the maximum penalty.

LEAVING SCHOOL GROUNDS

Under no circumstances is a student to leave the campus without permission from the administration. A student leaving the campus unexcused will face major disciplinary action.

MAKE-UP WORK (See Absences)

MARRIAGE

Married students are not allowed to attend Memphis University School.

MEDICINE

Students who bring medication to school should notify the school and leave the medication in the office. Students must not bring any drugs not prescribed for them or not intended for their own medicinal use.

MESSAGES

Parents should exercise discretion in calling the school offices to leave messages for their sons. In a real emergency, the message will be delivered by the school secretary or by an administrator. Student cell phones are to be turned off and kept in the student's locker or vehicle. Students are not allowed to use cell phones during the school academic day. If it is necessary for students to make calls in cases of illness or emergency, they may use the school phones located in the Upper and Lower School offices.

PARKING AND PARKING LOTS

Students may bring cars on campus that are properly registered and have a parking sticker displayed on the left rear bumper. Student parking is assigned through the Upper School Principal.

Students will be assigned to a specific space in a specific lot and must park in their assigned space. Failure to follow the parking regulations may result in a loss of driving privilege on campus. After school, students may move their cars to another lot but must still park in legal spaces. During the school day, students are not allowed to visit the parking lots without permission.

RESPECT FOR PROPERTY

All damage to school property, even accidental, should be reported to the Business Manager of the school. Students who damage school property should help with the cost of replacing or repairing the damage. The school will not tolerate vandalism of school property or the property of others.

SCHOOL TRIPS

From time to time, the school endorses trips supervised by MUS faculty members; however, the school will assume no responsibility or any liability connected with a trip unless it has been officially approved by the administration.

SENIOR PRIVILEGES

Various privileges are granted with the understanding that their abuse or any irresponsible conduct in their execution could result in the cancellation of the privilege(s) for the individual or the group.

A senior is allowed to take three class cuts per semester in each class. A senior must have the approval of his teacher before taking a class cut. Whether a senior will be allowed to take a class cut on a given day will be left to the discretion of the teacher.
A senior may be exempt from a second semester exam if he has an 85 average for the semester. The grade is determined by the average of the third- and fourth-quarter grades. A senior shall have completed all course requirements.
A senior may go out to lunch one day per week during the first semester and two days during the second semester. He must have written parental permission to be able to go out to lunch and must sign out each time he leaves campus. The out-to-lunch period is from 11:40 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Seniors who leave campus for lunch MUST sign back in at school before they leave school for the day. Penalties for failing to sign in will be similar to those assigned for leaving campus without permission.
A senior may leave school early after April 15 if he does not have a class the last session of the day. A senior may not leave during lunch if he does not have a class the last two sessions of the day. He may leave only during the last session.
Seniors may move to the front of the lunch line at the beginning of the lunch period; however, seniors are not allowed to break line once they are in the service area.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE

Though MUS counselors help students with academic and personal difficulties, our top priority is to prevent problem behaviors from emerging. Our educational efforts cover a variety of topics, including a focus on drug and alcohol use prevention. Any intervention made with respect to drug and alcohol use is based on circumstances surrounding each particular case: the immediate danger posed to the student, the frequency and quantity of consumption, the age of the student, the potential effects of substance use on personal development, and confidentiality issues.

The Counseling Department attempts to prevent alcohol and drug use, and other harmful behaviors, through educational efforts and by promoting responsible decision-making to maximize the safety and healthy development of our students. Students and parents who have questions are encouraged to contact any member of the Counseling Department.

SUSPENSION AND EXPULSION POLICY

Certain offenses and violations of school rules are considered serious enough to merit in-house suspension or expulsion. Additionally, the school reserves the right to suspend or expel from school any student if, in the sole discretion of the administration, such suspension or expulsion is necessary to protect the best interests or welfare of the school, including the health and well-being of other students, faculty, or staff. In such cases, a letter will be sent to the parents indicating the nature of the problem and the date of suspension or expulsion. A student may not participate in any school activity during the period of a suspension. An in-house suspension is employed in many cases, and the student will work on academic assignments and take assigned tests during the course of the suspension.

It is the student's obligation to check with his instructors prior to the suspension to get assignments and to arrange for makeup tests. All missed work will be made up. With the use of the suspension, the school is drawing attention to the seriousness of a situation in hope that the student's conduct will improve before dismissal from school becomes necessary. Suspension or expulsion must have the approval of the Headmaster.

TARDINESS

The school insists that a student be punctual in reporting to school each morning. The homeroom period begins at 8:15 a.m. Any student not in homeroom at 8:15 a.m. is considered tardy and must check in with the office before going to class. Upper School students with an unexcused tardy must report to Early School at 7:30 a.m. the next school day. Unexcused tardies, as determined by the school, after 8:30 a.m. will be treated as class cuts and three points will be deducted from the quarter grade of each class missed.

Even if the tardy is excusable (medical appointments, accidents, weather conditions, or emergencies), students should realize the importance of promptness to school. A student arriving at school any time during the day after 8:30 a.m. must have a note or a parental phone call to explain the tardiness.

TOBACCO (See Alcohol, Drugs, and Tobacco)

TUITION PAYMENTS

All tuition payments are due on or before the dates set forth in the enrollment contract. An account shall be considered past due if unpaid 30 days after statement date. A one and one-half percent (1.5 percent) late charge per month will be applied to unpaid balances. It is also understood that a student's grades will not be released until the current semester balance has been paid.

MUS uses the FACTS Management Company to manage all tuition and other student billings (except Sodexo). FACTS offers families several payment options as well as several payment methods that are consistent with the enrollment contract deadlines. Parents must register with FACTS and can then manage their account online. For more information, please contact the Business Office at (901) 260-1307.

TUTORING

Students are not permitted to work with an outside tutor at school during regular school hours. They will not be excused from school during the school day to work with a tutor.

U CARDS

Multi-purpose U Cards are issued to all MUS students. They may be used to pay for food in the cafeteria, to check out books in the library, and for admission to home athletic events. Lost U Cards will be replaced at a cost of $10. Students should make arrangements to replace lost cards with the secretary of the Lower School or Upper School. Every effort will be made to issue the replacement card within one week of notification of its loss.

WEAPONS

Weapons of any type (firearms, knives, etc.) are strictly prohibited on the MUS campus. Any student who brings a weapon on campus will be subject to expulsion.