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The Missouri Scholars
Academy is a residential school that operates seven days
each week, enrolls only academically gifted students and
provides a curriculum different from that found in the
traditional public or private school. It offers unique
opportunities for students to enhance their academic skills;
assimilate the accumulated knowledge of the culture; relate
to contemporary issues; deepen understanding of themselves
and their unique abilities; and engage others in
critical-thinking and problem-solving activities.
The Academy's curriculum is
designed to give participants an opportunity to pursue
studies that differ from traditional educational programs.
Guest lecturers, forums, and other events during the academy
reinforce and extend the curriculum. The curriculum is
organized into three areas of study:
Area I: Academics
(Major)
On the basis of personal interests and abilities,
each scholar will select one course of study from the four
major academic offerings: mathematics, science, social
studies and humanities. Scholars will spend three
hours each day, six days a week, in intensive academic
pursuits in their academic major.
Area II: Academics
(Minor)
Scholars will study a second academic field for one
hour each weekday afternoon. Ordinarily, they will
enroll in a field different from their major. Scholars
will receive Area I and Area II information shortly after
their acceptance into the Academy.
Area III: Personal
and Social Dynamics
The curriculum in this area relates to the unique
personal and social situations faced by gifted students.
The goal is to provide scholars with insights into their own
special needs and abilities, as well as the responsibilities
they have to themselves and to society. All students
will attend an Area III class one hour each weekday
afternoon.
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Faculty and staff for the
Academy are selected from among highly qualified applicants
representing public and private schools, colleges and
universities, private businesses and other organizations.
The staff is chosen on the basis of the scholars' needs and
interests and an applicant's abilities, interests and
willingness to participate with scholars in rigorous and
challenging work.
Neither grades nor credit
will be given; however, all scholars successfully completing
the program will receive a special certificate of
commendation. College applications often provide
students an opportunity to explain their participation in
special programs like the Missouri Scholars Academy.
Operating funds for the
Academy are provided by the state of Missouri.
Therefore, there is no cost to scholars or their families
for tuition, room and board, academy-related activities,
books and instructional materials. However, the cost
of travel to and from the academy, plus personal and
incidental expenses, will be the responsibility of the
scholar and family. The academy DVD and membership in
the Alumni Association will be available for purchase.
It is suggested that
scholars will need approximately $25 per week for personal
expenses. Scholars are strongly discouraged from
having large sums of money in the residence hall. Cash
may be deposited with resident assistants. Although
personal checks may be cashed at the cashier's window in
Jesse Hall or at other campus locations, traveler's checks
are strongly suggested. Scholars should register their
traveler's check numbers with their resident assistants.
Scholars should bring three rolls of quarters for vending
and laundry machines. ATMs are available on the MU campus.
Scholars are financially
responsible for any damages in the residence hall caused by
inappropriate behavior. An $8 deposit will be charged
each scholar on opening day. The deposit will be
returned at the end of the Academy if no damages are
incurred.
If personal financial
assistance is required, the school or local civic
organizations should be contacted.
Scholars will live in the
Mark Twain Residence Hall near Francis Quadrangle.
Most of the academy classes and extracurricular activities
will be held nearby. Male and female
participants will be assigned to separate floors and will
usually share a room with another participant. Academy
officials will make room assignments and will reside on each
floor during the Academy. Each scholar will be issued
a key to his/her residence hall room. Supervision of
the residence hall will be provided by a hall coordinator
and several resident assistants (RAs), each of whom will
work closely with about 20 scholars. In addition, regular
University security procedures will ensure a safe
environment for participants.
With very few exceptions, MU residence halls do not have individual land-phones. Scholars who bring cell-phones will be allowed to use them in their residence hall rooms only. In most cases, this will mean after the day’s activities are over and before “Light’s Out!” Scholars who do not have cell-phones will be able to make collect or credit-card calls from the few land-phones that are on each residence hall floor. Other than cell-phones, scholars are strongly discouraged from bringing other electronic items.
It is important for everyone to recognize that MSA allows making new friends while maintaining appropriate contact with family. Over-dependence on cell-phones and other electronic devices will inevitably and negatively affect the quality of a Scholar’s experience at
MSA.
Family members will receive clear instructions on how to contact their children should unforeseen events occur.
The Mark Twain Residence Hall is also equipped with vending
machines. All visitation will be confined to the hall's
lounge areas at specified times.
Coin-operated laundry
facilities are available in the residence hall. The
University will supply fresh bed linens each week and fresh
towels periodically. A blanket and pillow for each bed
will also be provided. Since the hall is
air-conditioned, scholars are encouraged to bring a light
blanket.
Scholars will be expected
to keep their room neat. Room inspections will be
conducted periodically. There is to be no cooking in
the rooms, but small amounts of food may be kept in closed
containers. Participants will be served three meals
each day in one dining hall; multiple menu selections will
be offered at every meal, thereby meeting the needs of most
special diets. Scholars with special dietary or other
health needs should indicate these on the questionnaire they
will receive. The MSA medical office maintains a refrigerator for medications which require refrigeration. Refrigerators are neither needed nor allowed in individual rooms. Periodic “care packages” from home with cookies and other light snacks that can be shared with scholars’ house members are always welcome!
The academy will provide an
identification card for each scholar, using a wallet-size
photo furnished for the scholar. The identification
card will be used for obtaining meals, using the University
library, cashing checks and participating in the University
of Missouri-Columbia campus programs. Scholars are
advised to bring one additional form of identification.
Daily mail service (Monday
through Friday) will be provided. The scholars' mailing
address while at the Academy will be:
Name
Missouri
Scholars Academy
University of Missouri-Columbia
Mark Twain Hall, Room ____
Columbia, Missouri 65201
Each scholar
will receive his/her residence hall room assignment, along
with the name and address of his/her roommate, no later than
June 1. The Academy strongly encourages roommates to contact
each other prior to the academy in order to coordinate
arrangements for special equipment and personal furnishings.
Family Day is Sunday, June
22. Families may arrive as early as 8:00 am to sign
their scholars out or visit with their scholars at Mark
Twain. Special activities will be planned by the
academy staff between 1:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m., beginning
with a general presentation at 1:00 p.m. in the Jesse Hall
Auditorium. Afterward, family members will have the
opportunity to visit with the scholar's teachers and
experience different activities at MSA. Family visits are
not allowed at other times during the academy since the
scholars have busy schedules, and activities are planned for
almost every minute. Scholars will be permitted to
leave the academy only on Family Day, and then only with
parents or legal guardians.
The Missouri Scholars
Academy is concentrated and intensive. Classes and
enrichment activities are scheduled throughout the three
weeks, including weekends. Participating
scholars are expected to register at the beginning of the
program and remain in residence for the duration, except on
Family Day as noted above. Scholars will not be
permitted to spend the night off-campus or to have overnight
guests.
Participants will not be
excused to attend conventions, conferences, camps,
workshops, competitions, pageants or family vacations.
Leaves of absence are not permitted except in emergency
situations. Academy officials should be consulted as
soon as possible if an emergency arises.
The Missouri Scholars
Academy considers it unethical and unfair to other
candidates for a student to accept a nomination, knowing in
advance that permission will be sought at a later date to be
absent during the program. As part of the application
process, both students and parents sign a permission
agreement which includes a commitment to remain at the
academy for the three-week period. Students who do not
complete the entire program will not receive a certificate
of commendation and will not be considered alumni of the
Academy.
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Scholars are not allowed
access to automobiles, bicycles, motorcycles and other kinds
of vehicles during the three weeks of the Academy. Safety
and insurance concerns as well as additional costs for
university parking permits make having a vehicle on campus
prohibitive. Only in emergency situations will a scholar be
permitted to drive him/herself to the Academy. This
exception is permitted only with prior approval from the
co-directors.
A full range of
recreational facilities will be available to scholars,
including swimming pool, etc. All of these are
described in the official student handbook distributed on
opening day. Supervised activities (evening seminars
and tours) in which all scholars will be expected to
participate also will be part of the program. Sports
activities will be noncompetitive and limited to non contact
sports. University insurance regulations preclude scholars
from having access to any weightlifting equipment or use of
any campus weightlifting facilities.
The Missouri Scholars
Academy encourages scholars to enjoy healthy physical
activities and sports. We offer organized opportunities to
play basketball, volleyball, jog, swim, and make use of
limited sections of the Student Recreation Center. MSA
furnishes appropriate supplies for many of these SRC
activities. During their free time, scholars may also play
games on their own, but to preserve the safety of all
members of our community, we will strictly enforce the
following guidelines.
- Tackling or punching is
not allowed.
- Games that risk
high-speed contact, either incidental or intentional,
are prohibited (including Ultimate Frisbee,
"touch" football, soccer, tag, "keep
away" and kickball).
- Games during which items
are thrown at players are prohibited (including but not
limited to kickball and dodge ball).
- Scholars may play catch
outside with soft items approved by staff, such as
frisbees, hackey sacks, tennis balls, wiffle balls, or
foam balls. Prohibited items include footballs,
baseballs and bats (including wiffle ball bats). PLEASE
DO NOT BRING THESE PROHIBITED ITEMS WITH YOU TO THE
ACADEMY.
- Scholars must wear shoes
during all activities.
- There are no tennis
facilities available for MSA participants.
We hope that in the spirit
of these guidelines scholars will always practice caution
and good sense. Any sport or activity deemed inappropriate
or dangerous may be be prohibited at the discretion of the
staff.
Academy participants will
be able to take advantage of a wide range of cultural
activities including concerts and drama productions.
Each scholar will receive a daily calendar of events
including those for which he/she must sign up in advance.
In addition to the academy
medical personnel, University Student Health Services will
be available to participants. Any consultation with
private physicians for illnesses, prescription medicine or
major medical expenses will be the family's responsibility.
If a scholar has special health or dietary needs and
medication requirements, Academy officials must be notified
prior to the start of the Academy. Scholars are asked to
provide the Missouri Scholars Academy with exact information
on personal medical insurance. A copy of relevant medical
insurance policy in effect for each scholar is required.
Arrangements will be made
for optional attendance to a wide range of religious
services in the city of Columbia. Transportation will
be provided. Scholars are encouraged to attend
services of their choice.
Scholars will have some
unscheduled time in late afternoons and evenings and on
weekends. Numerous activities will be scheduled at
these times; scholar attendance will be voluntary, but
highly encouraged, in most cases.
- Personal clothing to
include: casual dress for daily classes (see
"What is the appropriate dress?" below); dress
clothes for religious and formal activities; a jacket,
sweatshirt or sweater; swim wear; gym shoes; rain gear;
bathrobe; bedroom shoes; and personal items. Each
scholar will receive an Academy t-shirt.
- Personal items to be
included at the discretion of the student: laundry bag,
laundry detergent, postage stamps, radio, alarm clock,
clothes hangers, hair dryer, extension cord, camera,
chess set, other games, etc. Scholars are not
allowed to bring roller blades, skateboards or weights.
- Basic classroom needs,
such as pencils, paper, notebooks, etc., will be the
scholar's responsibility (These can also be purchased at
the campus bookstore).
- The residence hall is
air-conditioned, so students are advised to bring a
light blanket.
- Scholars should not
bring laptop or desktop computers, PDAs (Palm Pilot,
Blackberry, etc), DVD players, televisions, large
stereos, or walkie-talkies. Scholars will have access to
computers and other electronic equipment as a part of
their Academy activities and should not bring these
items with them.
- Cell phone use will be
limited to scholars residence hall rooms.
- MSA provides each
scholar with clean sheets, a pillow, a blanket, two
towels, and a washcloth. Scholars may exchange their
bedding for freshly laundered sheets once each week, and
they may exchange towels and washcloths twice each week
at the free linen exchange in the basement of Mark Twain
Hall. Scholars may bring their own linens to
supplement those provided, and are encouraged to bring
an extra towel for the pool as well as a light blanket.
The Missouri Scholars
Academy maintains a quality learning environment for
students. Dress cannot distract from the learning
environment, and students should use good judgment in
deciding what to wear.
Prohibited clothing items include:
- clothing items with
inappropriate, offensive, or unhealthy language or logos
- clothing items that do
not constantly cover the undergarments
- clothing items that do
not constantly cover the midriff, back, cleavage area,
and upper thighs, including mini-skirts, short shorts,
backless tops, strapless tops, and cropped tops
Other guidelines:
- Every scholar is
required to wear his/her academy nametag, prominently
displayed on the upper torso, for the duration of the
academy. Nametags may not be altered without the
approval of residential life staff.
- Shoes must be worn at
all times when a scholar is away from his/her assigned
floor in the residence hall.
- Pajamas and/or sleepwear
may not be worn anywhere other than the scholar's
assigned floor in the residence hall.
- Gym clothing such as
ripped-sleeve shirts and running shorts may only be worn
while engaging in planned athletic activities.
- One-piece swimwear is
encouraged. Tankinis or modest two-piece swimsuits
will be allowed. Speedos and other similarly tight
male swimwear are prohibited.
- The opening ceremony,
teacher appreciation program, and closing convocation
are semi-formal events requiring scholars to dress
nicely. For males, button-up shirts, ties, and
slacks are encouraged, jackets are not required. For
females, dresses, or skirts or nice trousers with
blouses are recommended.
Academy officials are aware
that some activities may require temporary departures from
some of the requirements listed here. Academy officials will
have final authority in determining what constitutes
appropriate dress. Items not specifically identified here
may be considered unacceptable if they draw undue attention
to any scholar or create a significant distraction. Any
scholar wearing inappropriate dress will be required to
modify his/her clothing immediately.
The Missouri Scholars Academy is a model program that often
hosts visitors from other states, the Department of
Education, the General Assembly, and the press. Students
should dress in a manner appropriate to their status as
guests of the state of Missouri.
- Possession or use of
tobacco, illegal drugs and alcoholic beverages
- Possession or use of
firearms, other weapons, or fireworks
- Destruction of property
- Breaking of any other
state or federal law
- Breaking of Academy
rules and regulations
- Refusal to comply with
directions from Academy officials
- Contact sports such as
football
MSA holds all members of
its community to high standards of behavior.
Shortly after notification
of selection, students will be sent a questionnaire and
asked to indicate extracurricular interests that they wish
to pursue at the Academy. This questionnaire
also will allow students to inform the Academy officials of
any particular medical, dietary, or other special needs.
Scholars should plan to
arrive at the University campus between 8:45 and 11:30 a.m.
on Sunday, June 8, 2008. This will allow time for
registration and moving into the residence hall before the
opening convocation at 1:30 p.m. (A detailed
schedule of opening day activities and suggested arrival
times will be mailed to participants in early June. This
schedule will include all aspects of arrival, unloading, and
parking.) Tours of those parts of the campus to be used
by the Academy will be conducted during the morning scholars
arrive.
The opening convocation,
for which formal clothing is suggested, will be in the Jesse
Hall Auditorium on the Francis Quadrangle. After the
convocation, a scholar/parent orientation will be held in
Jesse Auditorium. Scholars are required to attend both
the convocation and orientation. Parents are also
encouraged to attend both events.
The first meal served at
the Academy will be dinner at 5:00 p.m. June 8, 2008.
After dinner, scholars will have informal meetings with the
teaching faculty, resident assistants, program coordinator
and other support staff members. After these meetings,
a social activity will be held to introduce scholars to one
another and to the faculty and staff.
A closing ceremony is
scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 2008.
Families may arrive as early as 8:00 a.m. to help Scholars
move out of Mark Twain. Scholars must pack their belongings,
move out, and "check out" with their resident
assistant in time to participate in the closing ceremony.
Scholars will leave the academy after the ceremony concludes
and should not plan to return to Mark Twain. The residence
hall must be vacated by noon.
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