THE BLUE BOOK A Community Handbook 2019-2020 CALENDAR 2019-2020

2019

Fall term classes begin ...... September 2 Last day to enroll in a course for the fall term...... September 9 Interim reporting period ends ...... October 4 Long Fall Weekend begins - 12 p .m ...... October 4 Long Fall Weekend ends - 8 p .m ...... October 8 PSAT/NMSQT Day...... October 16 Family and Alumni Weekend...... October 18-20 No classes; activities begin - 4 p .m ...... October 21 Fall term examinations...... November 18-21 Thanksgiving Vacation begins - 12 p .m ...... November 21 Thanksgiving Vacation ends - 8 p .m ...... December 2 Winter term classes begin...... December 3 Last day to enroll in a course for the winter term ...... December 4 Christmas Candlelight Service - 4 and 7:30 p .m ...... December 15 Winter Vacation begins - 12 p .m ...... December 19

2020

Winter Vacation ends - 8 p .m ...... January 6 Classes resume...... January 7 Interim reporting period ends ...... January 17 Long Winter Weekend begins - 12 p .m ...... January 31 Long Winter Weekend ends - 8 p .m ...... February 4 Irving-Marshall Week ...... February 23-27 Spring Vacation begins - 10 a .m ...... February 28 Spring Vacation ends - 8 p .m ...... March 16 Spring term classes begin ...... March 17 Last day to enroll in a course for the spring term ...... March 26 Long Spring Weekend begins after classes...... April 10 Long Spring Weekend ends - 8 p .m ...... April 14 Interim reporting period ends ...... April 17 Baccalaureate - 7 p .m ...... May 22 Commencement - 10 a .m ...... May 23 Spring term examinations ...... May 25-28 End of year for non-seniors...... May 29 Reunion Weekend ...... June 4-7 TABLE OF CONTENTS

MISSION STATEMENT...... 2 FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL ...... 4 ACADEMIC INFORMATION...... 5 GENERAL COMMUNITY GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION ...... 11 Living Our Values ...... 11 Student Support...... 12 Major Rules ...... 14 Academic Conduct and the Honor System...... 18 Harassment/Bullying/Hazing/Sexual Behavior ...... 19 Disciplinary Process ...... 21 General Privileges and Expectations...... 24 Residential Life ...... 30 Student Services ...... 35 Organizations and Activities...... 42 ABOUT MERCERSBURG...... 49 COLLEGE INFORMATION ...... 52 TELEPHONE INFORMATION ...... 53 APPENDIX I Mercersburg Network–Acceptable Use Guidelines...... 55 APPENDIX II Weekly Schedule ...... 58 Weeknight Evening Schedule (Sunday–Thursday)...... 59 MISSION STATEMENT

At Mercersburg Academy we embrace the value of hard work, character, and community while learning to balance independence with interdependence and individual humility with collective pride. Our students commit to a life of learning, seek to understand the spiritual nature of human existence, and develop a determination to lead and serve the world.

CORE VALUES Lofty ideals We welcome and accept all in the tradition of our egalitarian spirit, expecting everyone to contribute fully to our community and to the world with imagination, gratitude, and love.

Great faith We believe in cultivating a faith in self (confidence); in others (trust); and in the future (hope).

Noble integrity We build strength of character that inspires generosity, authenticity, and responsibility— when no one is looking and when everyone is looking.

Ceaseless devotion to a mighty task We nurture the desire to dream, the courage to persevere, and the will to achieve. TO OUR NEW COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Welcome to Mercersburg! We have been anxiously awaiting and busily preparing for your arrival. Starting at a new school requires faith, patience, and courage. You should expect to be challenged as you acclimate to our culture, unique common language, and community expectations. Have faith that with time you will come to understand and embrace all that is unique and special about Mercersburg Academy, and be patient with yourself as you get oriented in your new school family. Mercersburg is a welcoming community; people will do their best to help you feel at home, and we also expect that you will be courageous in asking for help when you need it. You will learn quickly that asking for help is a sign of strength, and before long, you will find yourself a part of the “Long Blue Line”—authentically feeling like part of something much bigger than yourself that spans 126 years of our school’s history.

All students are assigned to faculty advisers who serve as the primary contact for students and parents. Advisers can answer questions, explain our customs, and help you feel at home. You will eat lunch with your advisers every Thursday and see them regularly in the dormitory and around campus. Don’t hesitate to go to your adviser for information and advice. We encourage all students to get to know their adviser well, as this is an important connection for students and parents while at school.

Additionally, each student has a Grade Dean and a Dorm Dean. Grade Deans and Dorm Deans are another important resource for you. Grade Deans will assist in the oversight of your academic, social, and emotional progress at school. Dorm Deans are ever present in the dormitory and are there to help you adjust to life outside of the classroom. You will find that both your Grade Dean and your Dorm Dean are equally willing to answer any questions.

Furthermore, you also have other resources at Mercersburg, including dormitory and day-student prefects, returning students, dorm parents, coaches, teachers, the Health and Wellness Center, and counseling staff. At any time, you should feel confident going to any member of our community for help.

In the pages of this book, you will find, among other things, most of the expectations and rules of Mercersburg Academy. At first they may seem somewhat overwhelming in number and detail, but over time and through experience, you will find that most of them are determined by common sense. The basic principle of all Mercersburg’s institutions is that of integrity. If, at any time, there are rules or procedures that you do not understand, feel free to stop by the Office of Student Life to speak with Mr. Chris Howes, the assistant head of school for student life and culture, or Ms. Jo Wrzesinsky, the dean of students, or Mr. Brett Potash, the director of dormitories.

A note to new parents: Early in a student’s career, as they come to understand our community and its expectations of students, you may find your child reaching out to you with questions. Please resist the temptation to solve the problem for your child. Instead, help them think through what they can do to get their questions answered. Teaching students independence and problem-solving is one of the reasons you send your child to boarding school. Together, we can help them grow.

THE BLUE BOOK 3 WELCOME FROM THE HEAD OF SCHOOL

At Mercersburg Academy, we all are part of a tradition of excellence that dates back to our founding in 1893. That tradition was set forth by Dr. William Mann Irvine 126 years ago—“lofty ideals, great faith, noble integrity, and ceaseless devotion to a mighty task.” His vision has been fostered over generations of students, faculty, and staff, and the Blue Book serves as a reminder of those values, encouraging us to be our best selves as we live and grow together in this special place.

Mercersburg Academy’s distinctive culture—a delicate balance between individual humility with strong collective pride in our school—is based on the active and positive contributions of each and every one of us. Knowing our responsibilities and expectations allows us to embrace a shared purpose rooted in trust and respect. We have a collective responsibility to know and understand both the spirit and letter of expectations outlined in this book and to make every effort to live up to those expectations in both deed and word.

While no handbook can provide specific guidance for every possible scenario we may encounter, the ever-present theme is clear—let your actions and words be guided by the basic principle of seeking ways to be your best self, helping others to be their best selves, and contributing to the life of the school that makes our shared experience a positive one.

Please note that, while not a regular occurrence, policies and procedures may be amended during the school year. Changes will be clearly communicated to members of the community in a timely manner.

We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead!

Respectfully,

Katherine M. Titus ACADEMIC INFORMATION

The first concern of every student and faculty „„ Mathematics - 3 credits each year member at Mercersburg Academy is education. until successful completion of Algebra Classes are conducted in a variety of modes, I, Geometry, and Algebra II (or their but the focus is always the interaction among equivalents) students, teachers, and ideas. Discussion is crucial to the process; so is the ability to „„ Religion - 1 credit demonstrate, orally and in writing, one’s „„ Science - 9 credits (3 credits of Biology thinking. Students are coached and supported taken in the ninth grade and 3 credits by teachers as they learn to express themselves taken in the 10th grade), with at least effectively. Student work is carefully evaluated 3 credits of Biology and 3 credits of and discussed with the student to facilitate the Chemistry or Physics learning process. Given the small average size of our classes, it is important for everyone to „„ Interdisciplinary Studies - must either participate actively and creatively. successfully complete a Springboard course or the MAPS program in the senior DIPLOMA REQUIREMENTS year In order to earn a diploma, a student must be in good standing and fulfill requirements in the Total Credits: must establish 57 credits following categories while at Mercersburg. Since awarding of the diploma is based upon work done Other Requirements: Must pass 4 courses in and credits earned while a student is enrolled at Physical Education (one course at each grade Mercersburg, both distributional and total credit level) and successfully complete all human requirements are determined according to the development and health programs as required by grade level at which a student enters. Minimum the school. requirements are as follows: FOR STUDENTS ENTERING THE 10TH GRADE: FOR STUDENTS ENTERING THE NINTH GRADE: Distributional Credit: Distributional Credit: „„ Arts - 2 credits in 10th grade (from „„ Arts - 4 credits (2 credits taken in ninth performance/studio courses in two grade and 2 credits taken in 10th grade different areas: Art, Dance, Music, from performance/studio courses in Theatre—unless enrolled in Band, two different areas: Art, Dance, Music, Chorale, or Strings) Theatre—unless enrolled in Band, „„ English - 9 credits (3 credits taken each year) Chorale, or Strings in both the ninth and 10th grade years) „„ History - 6 credits (3 credits taken in the 10th grade); 3 credits must be U.S. History „„ English - 12 credits (3 credits taken each or American Studies year) „„ Foreign Language - 3 credits each year „„ History - 9 credits (including Ancient through the third year of a particular World History in ninth grade and 3 credits language, or until graduation taken in 10th grade); 3 credits must be U.S. History or American Studies „„ Mathematics - 3 credits each year until successful completion of Algebra „„ Foreign Language - 3 credits each year I, Geometry, and Algebra II (or their through the third year of a particular equivalents) language, or until graduation

THE BLUE BOOK 5 „„ Religion - 1 credit „„ Mathematics - 3 credits of Algebra II, unless competence through Algebra II can „„ Science - 6 credits, with at least 3 credits be established of Biology and 3 credits of Chemistry or Physics „„ Science - 3 credits of Biology, Chemistry or Physics, unless two equivalent courses „„ Interdisciplinary Studies - must either have been successfully completed at the successfully complete a Springboard secondary-school level course or the MAPS program in the senior year „„ Interdisciplinary Studies - must successfully complete a Springboard Total Credits: must establish 42 credits course

Other Requirements: Must pass 3 courses in Total Credits: must establish 14 credits Physical Education (one course at each grade level) and successfully complete all human Other Requirements: Must pass one course in development and health programs as required by Physical Education and successfully complete all the school. health programs as required by the school.

FOR STUDENTS ENTERING THE 11TH GRADE: ANNUAL COURSE LOAD REQUIREMENTS Distributional Credit: Each student must carry a minimum annual „„ English - 6 credits (3 credits taken each credit load from offerings in English, arts, year) history, interdisciplinary studies, language, mathematics, religion, and science. The „„ History - 3 credits, including a course in minimum credit loads are: U.S. History or American Studies 9th grade - 17 credits 10th grade - 17 credits „„ Foreign Language - 3 credits each year 11th grade - 15 credits through the third year of a particular 12th grade - 15 credits language, or until graduation

„„ Mathematics - 3 credits each year SENIOR YEAR REQUIREMENTS until successful completion of Algebra Students must participate in all required senior I, Geometry, and Algebra II (or their activities and programs through the end of the equivalents) year including either the senior trip or spring- term exams. Seniors must pass all spring-term „„ Science - 3 credits work in order to graduate.

„ „ Interdisciplinary Studies - must either GENERAL INFORMATION successfully complete a Springboard course or the MAPS program in the senior year ACADEMIC CREDIT Students will be granted credit by term for all Total Credits: must establish 27 credits academic subjects they pass. All students must carry a minimum of a 5-credit course load per Other Requirements: Must pass 2 courses in term. Physical Education (one course at each grade level) and successfully complete all health All courses earn 1 academic credit each term programs as required by the school. except for music performance courses (Chorale, Band, Strings) which earn 2/3 credit per term. FOR STUDENTS ENTERING THE 12TH GRADE, Physical education courses do not earn academic INCLUDING POSTGRADUATES: credit. For a student’s course load to deviate from Distributional Credit: the credit stipulations described, the student „„ English - 3 credits must submit a petition to the dean of academics a marking period in advance of the term in „„ History - 3 credits of U.S. History or question and receive approval. American Studies, unless an equivalent course has been successfully completed at the secondary-school level

6 2019-2020 ACADEMIC RECOGNITIONS that the student is not ready or able to handle the „„ Cum Laude Society: Among preparatory academic work at Mercersburg Academy. schools, the Cum Laude Society occupies a position similar to the Phi Beta Kappa Students on academic status: Society at the college level. It includes „„ may not take weekends that cause them to chapters in more than 350 schools. Each miss classes while the status lasts. local chapter is composed of members from the faculty and the members of the „„ are required to spend at least one free graduating class who qualify under the period each class day with the Director of eligibility rules of the society. Students Learning Services. are nominated and elected by the faculty „„ must attend supervised study hall from members of the Mercersburg chapter. 8-9:30 p.m. (boarding students only). Mercersburg received a chapter during the academic year 1929–1930. „„ lose their senior privileges.

„„ A list of Commended Scholars and „„ may be recommended for required Distinguished Scholars is produced each withdrawal from school by the Academic term. A Commended Scholar is a student Standing Committee if they prove with final term grades that are all 85 unable or insufficiently motivated to or above. A Distinguished Scholar is a improve their academic record during the student with final term grades that are all next interim reporting period or if the 90 or above. prognosis for future success is not good.

ACADEMIC CHALLENGES During the year, a student’s academic problems Additionally, students on academic probation: are carefully monitored by the teacher, the „„ are required to spend a weekend night, head of the academic department involved, the usually Friday, in an organized study hall student’s adviser, and the dean of academics. and will be required to withdraw from Through these channels, appropriate actions are school on accumulation of four class cuts, taken or recommended through the Academic including physical education cuts, during Office. Such actions might include re-assigning a term. classes to a more appropriate level of work, required special help sessions, academic status, „„ may have other restrictions imposed to or removal from the course. Academic actions help provide an appropriately structured will be reviewed at each interim reporting period. environment for study. Students may be removed from academic status only at the end of a term. CLASS ASSIGNMENT ACADEMIC STATUS Students entering Mercersburg will be assigned Academic Notice means that the student’s to one of the four classes (junior—9th grade, record is clearly inconsistent with the academic lower middler—10th grade, upper middler—11th standards of the school. The student may not grade, or senior—12th grade) on the basis of be making the necessary effort to meet these their records in schools previously attended. Each standards or the student may not yet have the student’s academic program is arranged through ability to meet them. This status is intended the academic office. to express to both the student and parents the concern of the faculty. Students on academic COURSE CHANGES notice should review their study habits with their The following policies and procedures apply to adviser and teachers and work closely with them changes in a student’s course schedule: to correct academic deficiencies. Dropping One Level of a Course and Enrolling Academic Probation means that the student’s in a Different Level (Reassignment): A student academic record either has failed to improve or may change to a different level within a course has deteriorated to such a degree that continued with the approval of the department involved, work at this level would be seen as detrimental to the adviser, and the dean of academics. This the student’s well-being and possibly indicative reassignment process, whether initiated by the student or by the department, must be complete

THE BLUE BOOK 7 no later than one week after interim grades have GRADING INFORMATION been reported. After this time, students will Six grade reports (fall interim, fall term, winter remain in their scheduled classes until the end of interim, winter term, spring interim, and the term. At the end of a term, departments may spring term) are reviewed with students by decide to have a student begin the next term at a their advisers and are sent to parents during new level. the academic year. All term reports and the fall interim report include comments from the Dropping/Adding Courses: A student may change student’s adviser and teachers. The winter from one course to another or may drop an interim and spring interim reports include elective course above the minimum term or comments only when a grade is below 80 or the annual load by completing a schedule adjustment course runs for only one term. form available in the academic office, provided the action is taken within the first week of the Grades of 60 or above are considered passing. course. The adviser must be sure that graduation The minimum reported grade is 40. Physical requirements are taken into consideration. (Note: Education and Human Development courses “First week” of a course is to be read literally. are graded on a pass/fail basis. Final term Thus, for a course running for more than one grades in courses designated as “AP” (advanced term, it means the first week of the first term of placement) or “pAP” (post-advanced placement) the course.) are weighted by 5 points. Final term grades in courses designated as “honors” are weighted by Dropping Courses in Progress for More than One 3 points. Week: A student wishing to drop a course which has been in progress for more than one week TEACHER ABSENCE FROM CLASS must petition the dean of academics to do so. If a teacher has not arrived after 10 minutes, Such a petition is first discussed thoroughly by a student from the class should call x6123 to the student with the adviser and the teacher talk with the academic office administrative and department head involved in the change. assistant* about the whereabouts of the It is then presented in writing to the dean of teacher. If it is not possible to determine where academics stating clearly the change being the teacher is, all students in the class must requested. The petition will be approved if the sign a note to prove that they were present. adviser, teacher, department head, and dean of After signing the note, the students may academics do not have any concerns with the leave. One student should take the note to the change. If any one person lists a concern, the administrative assistant in the academic office petition can be referred to the School Life Team (Irvine 3R). for action. *If no one is available in the academic office, Seniors and Year-Long Course Drops: Petitions the student should talk with a faculty from seniors who wish to drop a year-long member in the department office instead. course after the close of the winter term will automatically be considered by the School Life HELP AND SUPPORT CENTERS Team. The Language Media Center (LMC) offers help and support to language students. It is located on Taking More than 5 Credits Per Term: An upper the third floor of Irvine Hall and is open during middler or senior wishing to carry more than specified evenings and help periods throughout the standard 5 academic credits in a term may the school year. For more information, students petition to do so. Such a petition may be obtained should see Ms. Heather Prescott, who oversees in the dean of academics’ office. The petition the work of the LMC. will be referred to the School Life Team or department heads for consideration. The Math and Science Center is open several evenings each week. Faculty from the math and How Dropped Courses (including Reassignments) science departments and math/science student Appear on the Transcript: Courses dropped before volunteers are available on the fourth floor of a term grade is reported do not appear on the Irvine Hall to offer help to students at all levels student’s transcript. of math and science. Hours and locations will be posted and announced throughout the year. For more information, students should see Ms. Jennifer Smith, dean of academics. 8 2019-2020 The Writing Center is dedicated to working management system. To ensure a smooth with writers at every level of accomplishment transition and experience, we have developed and serves the entire academic community. Its a set of basic requirements that each approved mission is to promote writing to learn, writing device should meet. across the curriculum, and creative writing, preparing students for writing and learning If you choose to have an iPad, these are the challenges throughout their college careers and requirements: beyond. The Writing Center: „„ Version - iPad 4th Generation (iOS 10.3.2 „„ offers individual student conferences to or greater) with a working camera improve writing skills; „„ Memory - no minimum required „„ assists with developing research and writing skills and strategies; Any questions regarding technology and technology devices should be directed to the „„ conducts writing intensive workshops; Information Technology (IT) Office (located on the fourth floor of Irvine Hall) or the Information „„ supports academic and college essay Technology Help Desk (717-328-6232). writing, as well as creative and technical writing; TESTS AND EXAMINATIONS „„ employs the peer conferencing model Major evaluations may be given during any class as both a leadership/community service period with a seven-day notice. If a student opportunity and an alternative form of cannot handle the number of evaluations academic development; assigned for a particular day, the student may see the dean of academics at least 48 hours „„ posts information about external before the day of the evaluations for a possible publication opportunities, competitions, solution. Examinations in all subjects are held at and workshops; and sponsors in-house the conclusion of the fall and spring terms and writing contests and spoken-word events. other work of the term not be given or due during the week in which term examinations begin. The Writing Center is located on the third floor Examinations also may be given in term courses of Irvine Hall. Ms. Michele Poacelli is the director at the end of the winter term. In the spring term, of the Writing Center; contact her for more most seniors participate in the senior trip in lieu information. of exams.

STUDY SKILLS AND STRATEGIES TRANSCRIPTS Mercersburg emphasizes the development of Transcripts of a student’s scholastic record will learning strategies and skills to improve reading, be furnished upon request to colleges, schools, thinking, note taking, and study skills of the and other agencies with a right to have them if students. Advisers, classroom teachers, and Ms. the student’s and family’s contractual obligations Margaret Maciulla, the director of the learning with the school have been satisfied. Only term services program, offer ongoing help in these grades are recorded on student transcripts. When areas, as well as with time management and a student leaves the school that student’s record organization. Students also are coached in good terminates as of the date of leaving. Transcripts study habits through evening supervised study marked “Issued to Institution” are sent by hall. Students seeking help in the area of study Mercersburg to a third party. Transcripts marked skills should see Ms. Maciulla. “Issued to Student” are given to a student or parents. When a student has graduated from the TECHNOLOGY school, the transcript will contain a record of all For the 2019-2020 school year, students and courses taken at Mercersburg along with a copy families are asked to choose any iPad or macOS of any former high-school transcripts that are on laptop computer that is capable of running the file in the registrar’s office. latest operating system and most suitable for the student’s needs. TUTORING Individual tutoring for ongoing academic Students utilize a variety of applications in the difficulties is available to individual students Google Apps for Education Suite and manage by a staff of adult instructors on a limited basis. their coursework in the Veracross learning Before tutoring can begin, students must first

THE BLUE BOOK 9 meet with Ms. Margaret Maciulla, director of learning services, to ensure they meet certain criteria. Parental permission is necessary for tutoring services to begin; the family is charged for these services. Any missed appointments without appropriate advanced notice will also be charged to the family. Questions regarding tutoring should be directed to Ms. Maciulla (717-328-6327).

10 2019-2020 GENERAL COMMUNITY GUIDELINES AND INFORMATION

STUDENT LIFE By upholding standards, students learn At Mercersburg Academy, in the spirit of our responsibility, the consequences of freedom, and enduring tradition of egalitarianism, we welcome how their choices lead to outcomes. We are all and accept everyone and expect all to contribute responsible for our actions and for creating the fully to our community and to the world with community we want. imagination, service, gratitude, and love. As a school, rooted in our fundamental values, we EXPECTATIONS have a set of standards that we expect our entire While formal, written rules are kept to a community to uphold on and off campus. How minimum, all rules at Mercersburg Academy these standards contribute to the quality of life of are based on the principle that each student our community largely depends upon the action, will experience meaningful challenges or inaction, of our faculty, staff, and students. along with the necessary support to grow through those challenges. As described in We are committed to building strength of our mission, Mercersburg Academy values character in each of our students that inspires the social emotional growth of our students. generosity, authenticity, and responsibility. At Mercersburg, we strive to be self-aware, With this understanding, our expectations and self-disciplined, and self-controlled; we are discipline system are meant, first and foremost, engaged, adaptable, and persevere; and we value to be educational. As such, the role of discipline interdependence as much as independence in a does not lie with the Office of Student Life thriving diverse environment. alone, but with each member of our community.

LIVING OUR VALUES

Mercersburg Academy strives to cultivate a SAFETY AND WELL-BEING school environment in which all members Every member of the community has a of the community feel valued, safe, and part responsibility to support a safe school of something greater than themselves. We environment by refraining from harmful or expect that adults in the community will work unsafe behavior and by reporting such behavior to understand the developmental needs of immediately to the Office of Student Life adolescents, support their emerging identities, when observed. Adults are expected to report and promote healthy growth, embracing the to the administration reasonable suspicions responsibility to provide a clear and consistent of harassment, bullying, hazing, abuse, and structure for students and engage them in sexual or other misconduct, and to not engage conversation about our community values and in such behavior themselves. In addition to expectations. their reporting obligations to Mercersburg Academy, all employees are mandated reporters

THE BLUE BOOK 11 of suspected abuse or neglect of students as embodying those values and must take seriously specified by Pennsylvania state law. the impact of their example on younger and newer students. INTERPERSONAL BOUNDARIES AND POWER DYNAMICS INFORMATION, CONFIDENCES, TRUST Adults must be alert to the power imbalance in Recognizing that information has power and their relationships, whether with students or value, members of the community must take other adults, and must be especially attuned special care to safeguard personal information to ways in which others may perceive their with which they are entrusted, always striving words or actions given that imbalance. Students to promote the dignity of others. Students also must be mindful of the power they have and adults alike have an obligation to protect in various roles at school. They must use their confidential information shared by others unless positions constructively, remembering that with that information raises concerns that someone’s the privilege of power comes responsibility, physical or mental health may be at risk. In such and always avoiding intimidation and abuse of instances, adults must share the information authority. Adults must not rely on students for through appropriate channels at Mercersburg emotional support, share personal information Academy; students are encouraged to do the with students to an inappropriate degree, or same. engage in any behavior that blurs the lines between adult and student. Adults and students In the context of responsive, genuine alike must be conscientious in their choices relationships, all members of the community regarding language, dress, personal space, and help others to develop a sense of belonging, physical touch, understanding that those choices encourage empathy and compassion, and affect others. promote an environment of kindness, generosity, and openness to the free flow of ideas. As MODELING members of this community, we acknowledge Adults have an obligation at all times to model, that our actions reflect not only on ourselves but through language and behavior, the values and also on Mercersburg Academy as a whole and we, expectations we have as a school. Likewise, older therefore, strive to live in a way consistent with and returning students have the responsibility of our values.

STUDENT SUPPORT

As a school, Mercersburg Academy is dedicated FACULTY ADVISERS to educating the whole child; therefore, we Each student is assigned a faculty adviser who have created a web of support that includes the is associated with the same dormitory as the whole community. Both students and adults are student. The adviser relationship provides available to help meet the needs of individuals in Mercersburg students with the support and a variety of areas. encouragement that will help students grow through meaningful challenges to develop COMMUNICATION their personal potential and strengths across As a boarding community, we encourage open disciplines. Advisers serve as the primary point- communication among students, faculty, and person on campus for their advisees. parents. Students are expected to seek out adults in the community for guidance and Advisory groups will meet during designated clarification on assignments, policies, and/or time slots as scheduled throughout the year general concerns. Students and faculty should to discuss individual and/or school issues and establish student-faculty relationships that are student life topics. Advisory groups normally eat at once structured and honest relationships based lunch together once a week in the dining hall. on mutual trust and care. Communication is Students receive their grades from their advisers essential for our community to work effectively. and should consult their advisers about course changes, programs of study, and all academic matters. Students should know that advisers are

12 2019-2020 available to discuss various concerns (personal as our health services, please refer to the Student well as academic). A student may also seek help Services section of this handbook. from any member of the faculty with whom the student feels comfortable talking. In addition to COUNSELING SERVICES writing a brief comment to parents each marking Counseling services at Mercersburg Academy period, the adviser is available by phone or in are designed to provide an additional source person to talk with parents at any point during of support, intervention, and care to students. the year. Services are available to help students address the typical challenges of adolescents, as well as GRADE DEANS the unique demands of boarding-school life. For The grade deans act as another tier of support for more information on our counseling services, students. Each class has a Grade Dean assigned please refer to the Student Services section of this to monitor each student’s academic, social, and handbook. emotional progress through their four-year experience. The grade dean has the perspective of RESOURCES FOR CONCERNS ABOUT THE USE seeing the progress of each student in the context OF ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS of their respective classes. Grade deans also will There are times when students may be concerned work with Class Council members to develop and about themselves or friends regarding the use/ cultivate class culture, and will serve as a dean on abuse of alcohol or other drugs, including duty weekly and every six weekends. nicotine use or addiction. A student can seek help by going first to a faculty member, who will DORMITORY DEANS direct the student to a dean, the assistant head of The dormitory deans serve as the leaders of school for student life and culture, the Health and each dorm and can answer any and all questions Wellness Center, or the Counseling Department; regarding life in the dorm. Dorm deans or the student can go directly to any of those coordinate who is on duty in the dorm each day people or departments. and trains the prefects who are there as student support on each wing of each dorm. Know that Depending on the situation or the seriousness, there may be different levels of response and the dorm dean is the key person in the dorm and follow-up care. Should it be determined that that they are there to support and help students a student’s well-being is at risk, the school adjust to life living away from home. official, the Health and Wellness Center staff, and Counseling Department members will OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE work together with the student, possibly The Office of Student Life helps to coordinate recommending and coordinating a drug- and student engagement, growth, and social- alcohol-free agreement with the school. Such emotional well-being. Managing Mercersburg’s conversations are treated as a matter of health, discipline system is just one aspect of this office. and the student in question will be offered While a student likely will turn first to a teacher, appropriate support, which may include an adviser, dorm faculty, or grade dean with a evaluative process. problem, the Office of Student Life maintains an open-door policy and encourages students to When community members bring appropriate come with suggestions and concerns concerns about another student’s use/abuse of alcohol or other drugs to the school’s attention, HEALTH SERVICES those concerns may be directed to the assistant The Rutherford Health and Wellness Center head of school for student life and culture or his is located on back campus behind Nolde representative, who will work with the student and the family to arrange an explicit, written Gymnasium. The Health and Wellness Center drug-free agreement. The school reserves provides medical care for illnesses and injuries, the right to, with cause (as determined by the and referrals to off-campus specialists. The school), require a student to enter a drug-free Health and Wellness Center is staffed 24 hours agreement. The drug-free agreement includes a day, 7 days a week when school is in session. a referral to the Counseling Department, a Urgent medical problems/injuries are treated professional evaluation by an outside counselor, at WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, WellSpan ongoing contact with a counselor (either external Waynesboro Hospital, or Meritus Medical or internal), and random drug screening. This Center (Hagerstown). For more information on type of agreement is not intended to be punitive or disciplinary, but rather encouraging a healthy

THE BLUE BOOK 13 lifestyle by providing support and a deterrent or an adult immediately. This may be a difficult for continued use. Parents will be included in decision, but if another student’s life is in danger, all conversations leading up to a drug-free the choice is clear—a community member must agreement, and students will be informed of this get help for the student. upfront. IMPORTANT TO NOTE If a student is ever frightened or alarmed about Violations of a drug-free agreement—for another student’s health and there is a medical example, by missing appointments for emergency, the student should get help quickly. counseling or screenings—may prompt For instance, if students encounter another discussion regarding required withdrawal from student who has been using alcohol or other the school. If the student tests positive for drugs drugs and, as a result, is in medical danger of after the agreement has begun, this will result in being harmed or harming themselves or anyone required withdrawal. All costs related to drug- else, they should first call 911 and then contact free agreements will be borne by the student’s the Health Center at x6136 (717-328-6136) and/ family.

MAJOR RULES

The Honor Code and our major school rules ALCOHOL AND OTHER DRUGS POLICY reflect the guiding principles and core values of Purchase, use, possession, transport, or Mercersburg Academy. Mercersburg views as sale of alcoholic beverages or other drugs or particularly serious any action that manifests drug paraphernalia, except as prescribed by a disregard for the academic or personal rights a physician are prohibited and will result in or safety of other members of the community. required withdrawal from the school. Any student who violates one of the major school rules is subject to required withdrawal, The school considers a drug to be any substance, appearance before the Conduct Review legal or illegal, natural or man-made, which is Committee (which in turn could result in required used to alter one’s mind or body. This, of course, withdrawal), being placed on final warning or does not include the appropriate use of one’s own warning status, or other disciplinary action. duly prescribed medication. If one were to use medication in any other way than the manner in Conduct that violates the law or reflects poorly which it was prescribed or intended, this would upon Mercersburg Academy, whether committed be viewed as a major school rule violation for in school or elsewhere, and whether committed which the student may be required to withdraw. while school is in session or not, may be cause for *Any variation in taking medication as prescribed by discipline, including required withdrawal. a physician or other health-care practitioner must be approved by the Health Center staff. Mercersburg assumes that students are The school’s position regarding student use of trustworthy and will conduct themselves with alcohol or other drugs at the school is clear, and it decorum and sound judgment at all times and in is also inappropriate for any student to return to all places. As stated in the enrollment contract, campus after having used alcohol or other drugs. “When students enter Mercersburg Academy, it Any student who returns to campus displaying is understood that both they and their parents evidence of such use will be required to withdraw. agree to support all rules of the institution as outlined in the student handbook while the If the dean of students or her representative student is enrolled in the school. In situations believes that a student has been using alcohol involving violation of a major school rule or or other drugs, and there is denial, the serious academic problems, or if at any time a determination of use will be made by the dean or student’s influence is considered harmful or her representative and the head of school or her the student’s presence in the school is regarded representative. In certain instances, such as in as undesirable, the school reserves the right to the case of uncertainty or steadfast denial, the require immediate withdrawal.” school or family may request that the student take a breathalyzer test, urine sample, or a blood

14 2019-2020 test. A positive result for alcohol or other drugs or sexual activity at all. Sexual activity with a person a refusal to take the test will result in a student’s who cannot legally consent is a serious crime required withdrawal. Since a student may be and will be handled accordingly, including by under the influence of a substance for which notifying the appropriate authorities. there is not a reliable test, and because accurate results of reliable tests can be masked in any Mercersburg Academy has a zero tolerance policy number of ways, a negative screening result will regarding all forms of sexual activity, sexual not be considered definitive proof that a student touching, and/or sexual interaction of any kind is or was not under the influence. In that case, the between adults (faculty, administrators, staff, dean of students or her representative and the and other employees) and students, regardless of head of school or her representative will make a the age of the student at the time. decision based on all of the information available. If a student believes they have been the victim Please note that vaporizers, including all of any form of sexual assault or sexual abuse vape devices and e-cigarette systems, and by another community member, or someone the use of nicotine in any form, constitutes a outside the Mercersburg community, or if they violation of the school’s alcohol and other drug are not sure and would like help in making that policy. While students who commit nicotine determination, they should contact a faculty violations of this form will not be required member, the dean of students, assistant head to withdraw, they will be required to appear of school for student life and culture, or head of before the Conduct Review Committee and to school. follow health counseling as prescribed by the school. If it is determined that the vape device Any student who feels they were sexually was used for drugs, it will lead to automatic assaulted or sexually abused while under the required withdrawal. influence of alcohol or other drugs or while having violated another major school rule should For help with alcohol and other drugs, see never hesitate to seek help at Mercersburg Student Support section for Concerns about “Use and should not let that fact prevent them from of Alcohol and Other Drugs.” reporting the assault or abuse. Mercersburg Academy’s primary concern is the health and FIREARMS, WEAPONS, AND EXPLOSIVES safety of our students; therefore, the school will POLICY handle these types of situations with great care Possession or use of firearms, explosives, or and consideration and apart from the normal weapons is prohibited and will result in required disciplinary system. withdrawal. *Possession of weapons other than firearms or fireworks or other similar explosives is REPORTING ABUSE OR NEGLECT prohibited, but may not lead to automatic required Mercersburg Academy’s first priority is the withdrawal. Depending on the situation, the student safety and well-being of its students. Under may appear before the Conduct Review Committee Pennsylvania law, all school employees are or the situation may be addressed and discipline required to report to law enforcement reasonable imposed directly by the Office of Student Life. suspicions of physical or sexual abuse and/or neglect. SEXUAL ASSAULT OR SEXUAL ABUSE POLICY Sexual assault or sexual abuse is engaging in DISHONESTY POLICY any contact of a sexual nature without the other A student may be required to withdraw for any person’s full knowledge and voluntary consent. dishonest action, including academic honor Sexual assault or sexual abuse is a violation of or conduct violations. Students must Mercersburg Academy’s policies and rules, and of understand that a student’s signature on Pennsylvania law. Any such activity will result in any school form including but not limited required withdrawal and must be reported to law to weekend applications, check-out sheets, enforcement by the school. dining hall attendance slips, or trip sign-ups signifies compliance with the expectations or In Pennsylvania, a person under the age of 16 responsibilities implied in that document. To cannot legally consent to sexual activity with a do otherwise is dishonest and may jeopardize a person more than four years older, and a person student’s place in school. In addition, dishonesty under the age of 13 cannot legally consent to includes unauthorized duplication and use of

THE BLUE BOOK 15 computer software and telephone fraud as well as When parents visit the campus by car, a possession, use, or production of any form of fake student is not permitted to drive the car unless identification. accompanied by a parent. Students must obtain permission from the dean of students if they ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT POLICY wish to ride in a car with persons other than their Students who violate the honor system (either parents. Hitchhiking is not allowed. Students who intentionally or unintentionally) are morally violate these rules may be referred to the Conduct obligated to report themselves to a member of Review Committee as a consequence. the faculty or the dean of academics. A student who observes academic misconduct is expected Day-student cars or other motorized vehicles to urge the offender to report the offense to a may be used only to provide transportation to faculty member or the dean of academics. If the and from campus. Cars may not be driven on offender refuses to do so, the witness is urged to campus during the school day from 8:30 a.m. to 4 report the violation to the dean of academics. A p.m. The expectation is that the car goes directly student charged with academic misconduct will to the parking lot. All day-student vehicles be called before the Conduct Review Committee. must be parked in the designated parking area for day students adjacent to the maintenance STEALING OR SHOPLIFTING POLICY building area and the large parking lot across Mercersburg Academy attempts to foster respect McFarland Road near the Hale Field House. for personal property and the privacy of the Such vehicles must be registered with the Office individual. No student may invade the privacy of Campus Safety and display the appropriate of other members of the Mercersburg Academy window sticker. Failure to register a vehicle community by entering dorm rooms, book bags, routinely parked on campus may be grounds for lockers, or cars, or accessing electronic files, suspension of driving privileges. Day students without the permission of the owner. Theft of any may not have boarding students ride with them kind is prohibited. at any time without special permission from the dean of students and should never loan Possession of a master key or unauthorized their automobile to a boarding student. If these fob device, unauthorized duplication of school rules are not followed, all students involved keys, or the tampering with any lock or security (both day and boarding) will be referred to the device to gain unauthorized entry is considered a Conduct Review Committee for unauthorized violation of this policy. use of a motor vehicle and will risk losing their place at Mercersburg Academy. The involved day student will forfeit their privilege of having VISITATION POLICY an automobile at school in the future. These Visiting by boys in girls’ rooms or by girls in boys’ restrictions are applicable on weekends as well rooms, except on Friday and Saturday evenings as on school days. Students should not contract or by special permission, is prohibited. Absence with taxi or limo services for personal travel from from dormitories between final check-in and 6 Mercersburg without permission from the dean. a.m. without special permission is also a violation of this policy. *The term “motorized vehicles” includes but is not limited to hoverboards, Segways, electric scooters, and drones. PERMISSIONS POLICY Absence from school without permission is a FIRE REGULATIONS POLICY violation of the permissions policy. All buildings on the campus have an internal fire alarm system that can be activated according Presence in an unauthorized area of the school to instructions on the alarm boxes in each is also a violation of the permissions policy. This corridor. Even though a direct signal may be includes areas that normally may be available to transmitted, in all cases the local fire department students but are unauthorized because they are should be called (911 from private phones, 8-911 closed or locked. from school phones) after a building has been evacuated to verify the alarm. Persons misusing MOTOR VEHICLES POLICY 911 or turning in false alarms will be subject to Boarding students are not permitted to have cars applicable state laws and also may lose their or other motorized vehicles* of any kind. place at Mercersburg Academy. Instructions for evacuating each building are posted in the corridors. There are fire extinguishers on each

16 2019-2020 dormitory floor. These are not to be tampered Communications of all kinds (verbal, non-verbal, with for obvious reasons of safety. Students who or written) must be made in a respectful manner. unnecessarily discharge a fire extinguisher will be reported to the Office of Student Life and Mercersburg Academy is enriched by the diversity charged a $50 fee for recharging. of its members. The school, which aspires to reflect and respect individual differences, For reasons of fire safety and energy believes each member of the community has the conservation, and in keeping with expectations right to participate fully in school life safely and of the Fire Insurance Underwriters, a number of without fear of bullying, hazing, harassment, or specific rules are referenced in the room set-up discrimination. We seek to educate both students instructions and will be strictly enforced: and faculty and to work together toward a greater understanding of the individual differences that „„ No student may have cooking appliances, make Mercersburg Academy a more diverse, more refrigerators, television sets, or monitors interesting, and stronger community. The school other than one computer monitor per will not tolerate bullying, hazing, or harassment student, except for dormitory prefects and in any form, or behavior that is disrespectful of peer group leaders who have approved race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, appliances (see “Residential Life” or national or ethnic origin. section). Unauthorized appliances found in student rooms will be confiscated. Anyone who feels harassed should report the situation to a faculty member, the dean of „„ Any open flame, including candles, students, the assistant head of school for student matches, use of a lighter, or anything life and culture, or the head of school. The school to create a flame, is prohibited. The will respond to any reported situations, following burning of incense in students’ rooms appropriate procedures and protocols. also is prohibited. Smoking by students on campus or in any campus building ABUSE OF PROPERTY POLICY is prohibited and a major disciplinary No student may abuse or deface Mercersburg infraction. Academy property. Adherence to this rule „„ To provide clear egress from dormitories, obviates time-consuming and costly repairs and students may not leave or store furniture, an unsightly physical plant, both of which are bicycles, or other possessions in hallways, detrimental to the morale of the community. corner-room alcoves, or stairwells. TECHNOLOGY POLICY All students must abide by the guidelines and Because of the great danger of serious fires, rules set forth in Mercersburg Academy’s these rules and regulations along with those acceptable use and social media acceptable use in the room set-up guidelines will be strictly policies. (See appendix for full outline of policies.) enforced. Any occupant of any room who tampers The Mercersburg Network provides a powerful with the wiring in any way other than using an resource for all members of the Mercersburg extension cord as mentioned under the “Speakers community. Additionally, any technology devices and Wiring” section endangers the safety of (such as cell phones, iPads, computers, or similar others. Finally, for obvious reasons of energy devices) are useful resources whether or not conservation, electric lights, radios, computers, the community member uses the Mercersburg and sound equipment should be turned off when Network as his or her mode of connectivity. the room is empty. With this power also comes a great deal of responsibility. All community members are MUTUALLY RESPECTFUL RELATIONS POLICY expected to use any technology devices and Abuse of people (for example: bullying, forms of communication (such as social media hazing, harassment, or certain types of and any mode of connectivity on or off campus) sexual misconduct—see also section on responsibly. To help ensure responsible use, the “Relationships”) is prohibited. Acceptable Use and Social Media Acceptable Use Guidelines are listed in Appendix I at the end of Mercersburg Academy seeks to cultivate a The Blue Book. community in which mutually respectful relations are engaged in and fostered at all times.

THE BLUE BOOK 17 All students and faculty have access to the school REPEATED VIOLATIONS OF MINOR network at computers in Irvine and Lenfest halls, INFRACTIONS in dormitory rooms, and in designated spaces Students who repeatedly violate minor in each dormitory. Questions regarding use of infractions or demonstrate other behavior computers, iPads, and other devices or the school disruptive or unacceptable to the community network should be directed to the Information may also be asked to sit before a Conduct Review Technology (IT) Office, located on the fourth Committee. floor of Irvine Hall, or to the Information Technology Help Desk (717-328-6232). All devices must be registered through this office to have full network connectivity.

ACADEMIC CONDUCT AND THE HONOR SYSTEM

Because Mercersburg believes that education to look for information on a mobile device is includes the development of integrity and honor, eliminated, students are encouraged to keep in addition to expecting honesty in all of our day- mobile devices in their backpacks, off their to-day interactions, we have an honor system in wrists, and out of their pockets. If, during an place that applies to all academic work. Academic in-class evaluation (this includes final exams), misconduct is a serious offense that calls into a student looks at a mobile device without the question the student’s place at Mercersburg permission of the teacher, the evaluation will Academy. receive a grade of zero. If it is determined that the student received aid from the device, a charge of THE HONOR PLEDGE academic misconduct will also be imposed. Unless other instructions have been given by the teacher involved, students are expected to Mobile devices include (but are not limited to) abide by the Honor Pledge—“Upon my honor, wireless pencils, smartwatches, tablets, laptops, I have neither given nor received aid with this and phones. work”—in all their work. Students express this understanding by writing “Honor Pledged” above REPORTING ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT their signature. Students who violate the honor system (either intentionally or unintentionally) are morally GIVING CREDIT TO SOURCES obligated to report themselves to a member of When using outside sources such as books, the faculty, the dean of academics, or the dean articles, videos, computer code, or diagrams of students. A student who observes academic in the preparation of papers or presentations misconduct is expected to urge the offender to or other assignments, a student must give report the offense to a faculty member or the proper credit to the sources used for passages, dean of academics. If the offender refuses to do specific wording, or ideas. Failure to do so is so, the witness is urged to report the violation to plagiarism—a form of academic misconduct. the dean of academics. A student charged with academic misconduct will be called before the ORIGINAL WORK Conduct Review Committee. Students are expected to do original work on each assignment in each course. A paper written for one course, for example, cannot be submitted to fulfill an obligation in another course.

MOBILE DEVICES AND EVALUATIONS In order to promote a healthy environment for in-class assessments where the temptation

18 2019-2020 HARASSMENT/BULLYING/ HAZING/SEXUAL BEHAVIOR

RELATIONSHIPS WITH OTHERS the physical or emotional health or safety of an Healthy relationships with other people are individual. essential to our happiness and to our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth. Such Hazing, in any form, is strictly prohibited by relationships allow us to feel good about the school. Individuals found in violation of this ourselves and others and to take a positive policy will face serious disciplinary consequences approach to learning from our mistakes, and including possible required withdrawal from inspire us to help others. The foundation of all school. Further, any member of the Mercersburg healthy relationships is mutual respect. Academy community who knowingly permits or encourages hazing will face disciplinary action, Mercersburg Academy believes every person has up to and including required withdrawal from innate worth that cannot be diminished and that school. commands and deserves respect. All members of the community must honor that innate value In addition to the sanctions described above, by treating others with respect, which can take hazing in any form may subject the violator to various forms including kindness to others, not civil or criminal liability under Pennsylvania forcing or coercing others to act or speak or think Anti-Hazing Law or other state laws. Any in ways with which they are not comfortable or to legal investigation will not prevent the school which they are resistant, giving others the benefit from acting according to its policies and, if of the doubt, and accepting their differences. appropriate, requiring withdrawal from school.

BULLYING AND HARASSMENT Hazing can be difficult for students to understand These are actions or behaviors that create because they might consent to the behavior. It is a hostile environment for an individual or important to note that, because hazing involves group. Such behaviors demean others and are a group context and is required for initiation, the opposite of showing respect. Therefore, at there is a power differential between current Mercersburg Academy bullying and harassment members and those seeking membership or are considered serious forms of misconduct (see acceptance by the group, which may create an Mutually Respectful Relations Policy) and will be atmosphere of coercion that impedes voluntary dealt with as such. choice. This coercive environment, coupled with peer pressure, sometimes results in an inability HAZING to give consent. As such, conduct can be deemed hazing regardless of a person’s willingness to Hazing is defined as any action or situation, participate. whether on or off campus, in public or in private, which knowingly, recklessly or intentionally Any person who experiences or becomes aware endangers the mental or physical health or of hazing in any form should report it to a faculty safety of a person, or which willfully destroys member, the dean of students, the assistant head or removes public or private property, for the of school for student life and culture, or the head purpose of initiation or admission into, or of school. affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, any organization operating under the sanction of, or recognized as an SEXUAL BEHAVIOR organization of the school. Being part of any boarding-school community means living, studying, and working in close Hazing includes but is not limited to physical proximity with others and thus developing abuse or labor; required or coerced consumption important relationships. Sometimes those of food, liquid, or other substance; willful relationships can become very close with strong destruction or removal of public and private emotional bonds formed; and students often property; or situations designed to create want to express these emotions verbally and extreme mental stress likely to adversely affect physically. The school believes, and expects

THE BLUE BOOK 19 students to acknowledge, that there are a person’s body, sexually explicit pictures or appropriate (or healthy) and inappropriate (or suggestive objects which a reasonable person unhealthy) expressions of affection within the would find offensive placed in a living or work school context and appropriate and inappropriate space, stalking, or unwanted communications times for healthy expressions of affection. of any type with sexually explicit content. It Students may seek further counsel or clarification includes conduct or actions and communications regarding sexual behavior from the office of between students, and between students and student life, the counseling department, their employees. Any such activity is strictly prohibited faculty adviser, or any faculty member. and violates both Mercersburg’s policies and state and federal law. SEXUAL ORIENTATION The school strives to provide a safe environment PROCEDURES FOR ADDRESSING for all students regardless of sexual orientation. HARASSMENT, HAZING, BULLYING, It is important to note that students in any UNACCEPTABLE CONDUCT relationship, including same-sex relationships, are expected to abide by the spirit and the letter If a student is being harassed or bullied, they of the guidelines in this section and the entire should: Blue Book. Additionally, dormitory guidelines 1. If it is safe to do so, tell the offending specifically address visiting and behavioral person(s) that they want the behavior expectations within dormitories for gay, lesbian, to stop immediately. While this may be and bisexual students. frightening and difficult, it often is very effective. Silence encourages recurrent UNACCEPTABLE SEXUAL CONDUCT behavior; students are encouraged to Unacceptable sexual conduct includes a variety of say NO firmly; do not apologize. If they prohibited behavior. For instance, forms of sexual are unable to confront the offender, they profanity, including sexually profane gestures, should focus on Step #2 below. and explicit sexual language are not acceptable. 2. Report what is going on to a faculty member, the Office of Student Life, or the Kissing, hugging, and/or holding hands are head of school. This too can be difficult, expressions of affection that are appropriate in but it is important. Depending on the the right places and at the right times, provided situation, the behavior may need to be they are consensual. The school maintains, dealt with immediately through the however, that there are types of sexual activity disciplinary system. that may be consensual but are not appropriate while one is at school. Any form of sexual While each case is different, in general, the intercourse, including oral sex, is not acceptable Office of Student Life or the head of school will while at Mercersburg Academy, even if that respond to a complaint of harassment, bullying, sexual intercourse is consensual. or unacceptable conduct as follows: „„ If a potential crime has been committed Reports of unacceptable sexual conduct will be or if a student has been subject to abuse dealt with on a case-by-case basis depending on or neglect, contact the appropriate law the circumstances and the type of behavior. Cases enforcement agency; and of inappropriate consensual sexual behavior may be dealt with through consultation and discussion „„ Contact parents or guardians of all with the students and parents, counseling, or students involved, including victims, disciplinary action. witnesses, and perpetrators, to explain policies, reporting, and responses. SEXUAL HARASSMENT It is important that Mercersburg Academy Mercersburg does not tolerate sexual harassment supports and protects any individual who raises a in any form. Sexual harassment is defined as complaint and looks into viable claims. unwanted behavior or words of a sexual nature and can take many forms. It can be subtle or direct and can include sexual advances, requests NON-RETALIATION for sexual favors, unwanted touching, pressure Mercersburg Academy seeks to create an for a relationship that exceeds the limits of a environment where every student is comfortable healthy friendship, graphic comments about raising any concern in good faith, and where

20 2019-2020 no student will be subjected to retaliation or accountable any person found to have been any inappropriate activity for bringing up those involved in instances of retaliation toward concerns. The school will investigate and hold anyone making a complaint in good faith.

DISCIPLINARY PROCESS

Mercersburg Academy strives to develop self- In some circumstances and at her discretion, discipline and responsibility in every student. the head of school may handle a matter herself At the same time, the school recognizes the and may diverge from the normal review process importance in any successful community of clear when she deems it necessary. In addition, the boundaries and of imposing consequences for head of school may require a period of suspension overstepping those boundaries. Mercersburg for a student in response to a disciplinary views discipline as a system of guiding students circumstance. toward growth. While the Office of Student Life generally operates as the point of referral for Since re-entry to school for a student who is inquiries into disciplinary matters, individual on suspension is not automatic, during the faculty members, grade deans, dorm deans, and time of suspension a student must focus on the the director of dormitories also are vested with issues that led to that suspension. If a student authority to impose consequences and penalties. is allowed to return to school, the student will Most offenses will be handled at the level of be given a maximum of one week to make up all teacher, dorm dean, and/or grade dean. Others academic work missed during the suspension may require the intervention of the Office of time. If a student fails to complete graded work, Student Life. the student will receive a grade of zero on those assignments. GENERAL RESPONSES The Office of Student Life adjudicates and Finally, in cases involving school rules for which administers punishment in routine cases of the only response is required withdrawal, that misconduct. The Office of Student Life also consequence is imposed immediately. adjudicates cases involving questions of academic violations in conjunction with the academic A student and the student’s family may request office. Students whose conduct is in violation an appeal of a disciplinary decision or a required of any of the major rules for which a student withdrawal if they feel there were significant may be required to withdraw or whose repeated flaws in the hearing process or if there is violations of minor rules demonstrate in the significant new information. That request must dean of students’ judgment an unfit pattern of be made in writing to the head of school within general conduct are normally referred to the 48 hours of the decision. Conduct Review Committee. The dean of students is responsible for referring cases to the Conduct CONDUCT REVIEW COMMITTEE Review Committee. The Conduct Review Committee, comprised of six students and seven faculty members, exists to Not all cases of major school rule violations go make recommendations to the head of school in to the Conduct Review Committee. For instance, cases of major rule infractions not dealt with by when a major infraction occurs at a difficult the head of school. A student may be referred to time in the school calendar, the dean of students the CRC for: and the head of school may directly decide the „„ Violating a major rule for which a student matter or refer it to either an administrative may be required to withdraw. CRC (head of school, associate head of school for school life, assistant head of school for student „„ Repeatedly violating minor rules for life and culture, and the chair of the CRC) or the which the dean’s remedies are at an end faculty members of the CRC in order to avoid or prove to be of no avail. placing unreasonable demands on both students and faculty at a busy and important time in the academic calendar.

THE BLUE BOOK 21 „„ Being involved in an incident in which One hour of walking, working, or studying a major rule has been violated but the removes one hour of guard. student’s complicity and degree of guilt or innocence is unclear. Students with such guard will not be permitted to leave campus or take weekends without specific A student involved in such a situation normally permission from the dean. has a right to a hearing by the full Committee (see exceptions noted previously) but may waive the The fact of being assigned guard becomes part of right to be heard by the entire Committee and the student’s record. instead request to be heard only by the faculty members of the Committee. In all cases, the WARNING dean of students or her designee shall pursue the The Committee may recommend this status investigation and present the facts and findings for any offense. However, when the Committee to the Committee. deems that a violation is one that affects

primarily the individual brought to the A student called before the Conduct Review Committee and/or if the individual’s previous Committee is accompanied by the student’s history warrants a lesser response than final adviser or, at the student’s request, another warning, the minimum response in most faculty member of the student’s choosing to circumstances will be warning. These are the help state, formulate, and clarify the case during conditions of warning status: the hearing. The adviser’s role is also to support „„ Duration: 10 school weeks. the student before the Committee and to act as the primary conduit between the school and the „„ After the first three weeks, the student’s parents. parents or guardian will have a conference either in person or over the telephone In response to a case brought to it, the Committee with the dean and other school personnel has five basic options in formulating a response: to discuss their child’s reflections on „„ Dismissal of charges the incident and how their child plans to move forward. „„ Referral to the dean „„ Further violations of major school „„ Warning rules during the time a student is on „„ Final Warning warning of the sort that normally would lead to referral to the Conduct Review „„ Required Withdrawal Committee, or failure to meet the conditions of warning status, will result in DISMISSAL OF CHARGES a student’s required withdrawal. On occasion a student may be brought before the Committee because the student’s complicity or „„ Other consequences: In cases involving actions in violation of a major rule are unclear. academic misconduct, the student will If the facts warrant, the Committee may receive a grade of zero for the work in recommend that the case be dismissed. question. For all other cases, guard may be imposed by the dean of students. REFERRAL TO THE DEAN OF STUDENTS FINAL WARNING If a student’s complicity or actions in violation The Committee may recommend this status of a major rule are minor, the Committee may for any offense. However, when the Committee recommend that the case be referred back to the deems that a violation endangers someone else’s dean for a lesser response. well-being (either emotionally or physically) or someone’s property and/or if the individual’s GUARD previous record demonstrates difficulty living For infractions of school rules reported to the up to the expectations of the community the Office of Student Life, a student may be assigned minimum response in most circumstances will be guard. Guard may be removed by a period of final warning. walking on Saturday morning (under faculty supervision), working on campus, or by attending This status lasts 10 school weeks and carries the weekend study hall on Friday or Saturday night. usual conditions of warning status (see above),

22 2019-2020 plus the following: Interested students may obtain a copy of the „„ No more than a specified number of cuts format of the Conduct Review Committee from of required appointments during this the chair of the committee, the dean of students, period. or the academic dean.

„„ Further violations of major school rules OTHER GENERAL NOTES RELATING TO of the sort that would normally lead to WARNING AND FINAL WARNING STATUS, referral to the Conduct Review Committee GUARD, AND RESULTING RESTRICTIONS AND during the time a student is on final warning status, and for a full calendar CONSEQUENCES year from the date of placement on final Students placed on warning or final warning warning status will result in a student’s status may be assigned guard. Guard is worked required withdrawal. off in several ways. Students on warning or final warning with guard will be in study hall on „„ If applicable, loss of senior privileges for Friday (and possibly Saturday) night until the at least 10 school weeks. guard is removed. As previously stated, students on final warning for disciplinary reasons will „„ A mandatory weekly meeting with the have a mandatory five-week weekend study hall dean for the first five school weeks of final requirement. These study halls will count towards warning status. the removal of their guard and will continue even if the student has worked off the assigned guard „ „ A full review of the individual’s record at before the end of the five weeks. Each hour of the end of each marking period, which study hall removes one hour of guard. Guard is occurs during the final warning period by also removed by walking on Saturday morning the dean. (under faculty supervision) until all guard is „„ In disciplinary cases: (1) the student removed. Each hour of walking removes one hour will not have weekend privileges for five of guard. A student may also be required to do school weeks (except that students may work on campus as needed to remove the guard. take a weekend away from school to meet with parents one weekend during this Until such guard is removed, a student on period). warning or final warning will not be permitted to leave campus or to take weekends without „„ (2) the student must attend weekend specific permission from the dean of students. It study hall for a five-school-week period is mandatory that students work to remove guard both Friday and Saturday nights. and the accompanying restrictions as quickly as possible. Unless otherwise specified, “dean” refers to the dean of students for disciplinary infractions and Students placed on warning or final warning also for academic misconduct. undergo an automatic review of any leadership positions or responsibilities the student holds. Failure to meet the conditions of final warning In cases of final warning, those positions and status during the 10 school weeks a student is responsibilities will be removed. In cases of on that status will result in a student’s required warning, the positions and responsibilities may withdrawal. be removed by the people overseeing the position in consultation with the administration of the REQUIRED WITHDRAWAL school. Violation of a major rule always jeopardizes a student’s place in the school. Repeated As noted on the school’s profile, when applying violation of minor rules may do the same. One to college, if a college or university asks about recommendation that the Committee may discipline issues, students are expected to make, therefore, is that a student be required to self-report. Please note that college counselors withdraw. confirm the accuracy of details related to disciplinary issues that result in a final warning, The Committee’s recommendation will be suspension, or required withdrawal. Likewise, considered by the head of school. The head of when such information is requested, Mercersburg school has the authority to approve, modify, or reports final warnings, suspensions, and veto the recommendation.

THE BLUE BOOK 23 required withdrawals to each of the colleges and required meeting, the dean will determine universities to which a student applies. follow-up frequency and/or possibilities for other referrals. The school may request that follow- Students placed on warning or final warning up counseling include an evaluation regarding will meet with a dean and may be referred alcohol or other drug use if those issues have to a member of the Counseling Department. been raised as a concern. The need for a disciplinary status indicates a student has made a decision or choice that is Note: An appropriate school representative will be unwise or unhealthy or unsafe. The meeting assigned to substitute for the head of school, associate with the dean provides support to and time head of school for school life, assistant head of school for the student to talk about possible areas of for student life and culture, dean of students, dean of academics, or others involved in disciplinary and other difficulty or importance. Following an initial matters if the designated official is not available.

GENERAL PRIVILEGES AND EXPECTATIONS

ATTENDANCE POLICIES 1. First Unexcused Class Absence Students are expected to attend all required a. Notification sent to student, appointments. Failure to do so will result in adviser, grade dean, and office of conversations with the Office of Student Life. student life Of course if the problem persists students will b. Student will have a conversation sit before a CRC. Students are expected to be with grade dean on time for classes, meals, and other required c. Student will serve a weekday study appointments. Repeated lates or excessive hall lateness may result in disciplinary consequences. Attendance is mandatory for all classes, 2. Second Unexcused Class Absence Performance Group Activities (PGAs), weekly a. Notification sent to student, school meetings or Chapel programs, and special adviser, grade dean, and office of school events or other community gatherings. student life b. Grade dean contacts student’s WEEKDAY STUDY HALL parents It is the responsibility of any student, regardless c. Student serves two hours of guard of the reason for the absence, to obtain missed assignments and turn them in upon return 3. Third Unexcused Class Absence to class or as specified by the teacher. Should a. Notification sent to student, students cut a required appointment, they must adviser, grade dean, and office of go to weekday study hall on the day during which student life the cut occurred (or the next weekday, should b. Student meets with the dean of the study hall already have ended). Students who students miss more than one class or appointment during c. Conversation and letter is sent a given day will be required to attend study hall home to parents from office of for each additional class or appointment missed student life on an assigned weekend night, normally Friday. d. Student serves two hours of guard If a student arrives late to class 15 minutes or e. Student is put on a three-cut limit more, the student is required to attend weekday for all required appointments study hall. Failure to do so results in guard. 4. Fourth Unexcused Class Absence UNEXCUSED ABSENCE POLICIES AND a. Notification sent to student, adviser, grade dean, and office of RESPONSES FOR CLASSES student life In addition to the responses outlined in the b. Notification is sent home by office preceding pages, Mercersburg Academy takes of student life very seriously a student’s obligation to attend c. Student will serve Friday night classes. Unexcused absences will result in the study hall and 2 hours of guard following responses:

24 2019-2020 5. Fifth Unexcused Class Absence b. Should these unexcused absences a. Notification sent to student, become excessive, a student may adviser, grade dean, and office of be brought before the Conduct student life Review Committee at the dean’s b. Dean of students meets with discretion. student, adviser, grade dean, and parents (possibly via phone) LATES AND REPEATED LATES c. Official notification is sent home All student class lates are recorded by the teacher. If a student is late to a particular class three times 6. Sixth Unexcused Class Absence in an academic term, it is labeled “repeated late” a. Student will sit before the Conduct status. Review Committee 1. First Repeated Late UNEXCUSED ABSENCE POLICIES AND a. Student serves a weekend study RESPONSES FOR OTHER REQUIRED hall APPOINTMENTS There are other appointments for which 2. Second Repeated Late attendance is also required; however, failure to a. Student serves a weekend study attend these will be handled in a different manner hall by the dean of students. These appointments include but are not limited to required meals, 3. Third Repeated Late evening study hall, guard, library study, college a. Student serves a weekend study counselor meetings, working at special meals, or hall disciplinary and/or academic study hall. b. Student meets with grade dean

1. First Unexcused Absence 4. Fourth Repeated Late a. Notification sent to student, a. Student serves a weekend study adviser, grade dean, and office of hall and two hours of guard student life b. Student meets with dean of b. Student will have conversation students with grade dean c. Notification is sent home to c. Student will serve a weekday study parents hall 5. Fifth Repeated Late 1. Second Unexcused Absence a. Student receives a class cut a. Notification sent to student, b. Student will serve a weekend study adviser, grade dean, and office of hall and two hours of guard student life b. Student will serve a Friday night It should be noted that these policies do not exist study hall and two hours of guard exclusively from each other. In other words, if c. Student will have conversation a student has multiple missed classes, required with grade dean appointments, and repeated lates, that student may sit before the CRC for repeated violations of minor 2. Third Unexcused Absence infractions even if the student has not met the CRC a. Notification sent to student, threshold in any one singular category. adviser, grade dean, and office of student life COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS FOR DRESS b. Grade dean will contact parents c. Student will serve Friday night SELF-COMPORTMENT study hall and two hours of guard The Mercersburg dress code seeks to hold community members to a standard of dress, 3. More than three absences while allowing for individual expression. The a. For each successive absence, dress code exists to allow all members of the community to be productive in their work and more study hall hours and hours interactions as well as to create an environment of guard will be added, including that is appropriately professional. Students are communication with parents. to dress at all times in a way that is consistent

THE BLUE BOOK 25 with Mercersburg’s values as expressed in our „„ Plastic flip flops are not sandals and community expectations. slippers are not shoes.

DRESS CODE SUPPORT „„ Headgear (hats, caps, athletic bands, The dress code will be consistently enforced bandanas, etc.) may be worn outdoors, through peer-to-peer interaction and influence, in the dormitory, in the Simon Student as well as through the discretion of faculty. Center, and in athletic facilities. Students Faculty members, guided by the dress code, may wear a head covering, if the head may determine what constitutes appropriate covering is part of their recognized, dress. A student should expect and anticipate traditional religious attire. that faculty members will address the student’s choice of dress if the faculty member believes CASUAL DRESS that the student’s clothing may not be consistent Students may be in casual dress when standard with the expectations below. The dress code is and semiformal dress are not required. Casual meant to encourage students to consider how and dress includes: why they choose to dress as they do. Therefore, „„ all items for standard and semiformal interactions between students and faculty dress regarding student dress should always be framed as a constructive and positive conversation. Any „„ appropriate T-shirts student not in dress code may receive a dress code violation that is reported to the Office of „„ appropriate sweatshirts Student Life. After three dress code violations „„ items made of blue denim fabric within the same term, the student will serve two hours of guard. Further violations will lead to a „„ athletic attire conversation with the dean of students and other disciplinary action will be taken. STANDARD DRESS Standard dress is the minimal expectation during OVERALL DRESS CODE EXPECTATIONS the academic day: These expectations apply to all three specific „„ on campus distinctions of dress (casual, standard, and semiformal) „„ in all buildings except the dormitories and „„ Clothing should promote a positive, when using the athletic facilities focused learning environment. These expectations apply from the first rotation „„ Clothing should promote a safe, inclusive of the day until the last rotation of the day, community. regardless of the student’s own schedule. Standard dress is also expected when students „„ Clothing must be sensible, respectful, and are on campus between academic appointments appropriate to the environment, without or meals. off-color humor, offensive messages, or references to drugs, vaping, tobacco, or Elements of standard dress are listed below: alcohol. „„ Button-down shirts, collared shirts, sweaters, turtlenecks, non-collared „„ Clothing should align with all other shirts with buttons, non-athletic tops, community standards and rules. 1/4 zips, or blue, white, grey, or black Mercersburg sweatshirts that clearly „ „ Dresses, skirts, and tunics must be have “Mercersburg” or “Mercersburg fingertip length or longer. Academy” or have the Mercersburg lockup „„ Shorts must not expose any part of the (approved shield) on them, and that are buttocks. sold in the school store or approved for a Mercersburg dorm, club, or organization. „„ Undergarments and midriffs must be „ concealed underneath a top layer of „ Dress pants, dresses, skirts, trousers/ opaque clothing and must not be visible. slacks, khakis, corduroys, cargo pants, hemmed or cuffed dress shorts, rompers, „„ Clothing that needs to be adjusted to meet non-athletic leggings, non-blue denim, the expectations for dress (pulled up or and non-athletic shorts. down) is not considered in dress code.

26 2019-2020 „„ Leggings must be worn covered by a top, „„ Dresses; skirts, pants suits, or dress slacks dress, or skirt that is fingertip-length or with hemmed or cuffed pant legs with longer. collared shirts or collarless dress shirts; dress sandals or dress shoes. „„ Footwear that is designed to be worn indoors and outdoors [except plastic flip- For those who do not identify as female, flops and slippers, as indicated above]. the following articles of clothing constitute semiformal dress: „„ Fridays only: T-shirts sold in the school „„ A collared, tucked-in dress shirt; dress store or approved for a Mercersburg pants with hemmed or cuffed pant legs; dorm, club, or organization and that have khaki pants without cargo pockets; belts; “Mercersburg,” “Mercersburg Academy,” ties (neck, bow, or bolo); suit coats, sport or the Mercersburg lockup on them. coats, or blazers; and dress shoes.

„„ Winter Term only: sweatshirts that have Students may wear the acceptable semiformal “Irving” or “Marshall” on them and are attire of their native countries when worn in an neat and in good repair. appropriately respectful manner.

„„ When indoors, students may continue Students are expected to abide by the spirit as wearing coats, jackets, and other well as the letter of the dress code, and are to be outerwear, but must meet the dress code suitably dressed and groomed while on campus expectations if their outerwear is left open and when representing Mercersburg elsewhere. or is removed. From time to time, the expectations for dress „„ Sweatshirts are not considered outerwear. may be altered temporarily with permission from the Office of Student Life. Additionally, the dress Semiformal dress may also be worn for standard code may change during the school year. Any dress. changes will be announced and posted on the website. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR STANDARD AND SEMIFORMAL DRESS CELL PHONES AND MOBILE DEVICES* (AND „„ Students are expected to be clothed from mid-thigh to armpit. HEADPHONES AND EARBUDS) While Mercersburg Academy understands the „„ All clothing must have attached sleeves or necessity for cell phones and other mobile straps. devices in today’s world, we also value living in an environment that allows for community „„ Students may not have facial hair. members to actively and easily engage with each other. Mobile devices can get in the way of those „ „ Shorts, pants, skirts, and dresses must be interactions, and the school expects community hemmed (i.e., no cloth fringes showing). members to promote usage of such devices that „„ Clothing, including footwear, should is considerate of others and allows for the utmost be clean, neat, in good repair, and worn attention to the ideals of community. normally at all times. Students who have registered a cell phone with the Office of Student Life may use a cell phone SEMIFORMAL DRESS and other mobile devices according to the Semiformal dress is expected for all Monday following expectations: evening meals and other special occasions as announced. Please note that attire for formal USAGE GUIDELINES DURING THE CLASS DAY** dances and parties is not in line with the spirit Students may not use mobile devices during the of “special occasions” that call for semiformal class day when walking to or from appointments dress, with the exception of the annual Irving- or at most other times and in most locations Marshall Dinner, the Winter Ball, and Prom. unless noted below.

For those who do not identify as male, the Students may use mobile devices during the class following articles of clothing constitute day in the following locations: semiformal dress: „„ Dormitories

THE BLUE BOOK 27 „„ Simon Student Center (indoors, not on GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR CELL PHONE AND patio or outside the SSC) MOBILE DEVICE USE „„ Ringers must be muted while on campus. „„ Lenfest Library „„ Normally, mobile devices should not be „ „ Nolde Gymnasium or Hale Field House visible in locations where and when use is „„ Irvine 1R or other “study” areas outside not allowed. classrooms „„ Mobile device use on trips away „„ Off campus from campus will be determined by the chaperone or faculty person „„ Classrooms or other areas with specific accompanying that trip. permission of a faculty or staff member Consequences: If a mobile device is deemed to be Making phone or video calls during the class day used improperly, the violation will be reported is only permitted in the dormitories. to the Office of Student Life. If a student acquires three such offenses, the student will meet with Headphones and earbuds are not permitted the dean and consequences will be assigned. during the class day with the exception of permission from a faculty member (such as *“Mobile device” refers to any piece of technology that may be used to interact with the outside world. Examples include, but when needed to complete work in class) or are not limited to, cell phones, iPads and other tablets, and smart within guidelines of a certain area (such as in the watches if being used for communication functions. gymnasium). Headphones and earbuds may be used during the class day in the dormitories and **The “class day” is the time from the beginning of the first rotation of the day until the end of the final rotation of the day the Simon Student Center. as published on the daily schedule. Free periods and help and residential periods are included as part of the class day. USAGE GUIDELINES OUTSIDE OF THE CLASS DAY** BICYCLES Mobile devices and headphones and earbuds may Students are permitted to maintain and ride be used at any time and place with appropriate bicycles on the campus. Every student who does etiquette except PGA activities (unless granted so must register the bicycle with the Office of permission by a PGA director), all special Campus Safety. This can be done by completing appointments (these include but are not limited an online bicycle registration form once students to tutoring and other meetings, supervised study arrive on campus. Every bicycle that is kept or hall, lectures, performances, and field trips), or ridden regularly on the campus must bear a in the Chapel or Traylor Hall. Mercersburg Academy registration sticker for the protection of the owner. Bicycles must be USAGE GUIDELINES IN THE DINING HALL stored in designated areas. For fire and safety No mobile device use of any kind is permitted reasons, bicycles cannot be stored in hallways, during required meals, including but not limited stairways, handicapped ramps, and other to all family-style required lunches and dinners. avenues of egress. Students whose bicycles are Mobile devices should be kept in a pocket or in these areas will have them removed at a cost stowed away and are not permitted to sit out on of $25 per occurrence. In addition, students will a table. Mobile devices may be given to a faculty be charged a $25 storage fee on all bicycles held member or friend for safekeeping during a meal if by the Office of Campus Safety for more than 10 no pockets or appropriate storage is available. days. Unregistered bicycles found on campus will be considered abandoned property which may be Mobile devices may be used in the dining hall confiscated and not returned. If a bicycle is not during buffet meals that are not required as claimed after 60 days, it may be sold. long as they are not used for phone or video calls. Devices may only be used for music with For reasons of safety, students taking extended headphones during these times. bicycle trips away from campus should inform the dean of students, dean on duty, or another faculty member before doing so (see Leaving Campus, below). Likewise, it is recommended that students wear helmets while riding bicycles and secure their bicycles with locks.

28 2019-2020 GAMBLING VACATIONS Mercersburg Academy students are not permitted Dates for the beginning and end of all vacations to participate in gambling. Gambling is defined are announced in the school calendar. Vacations as wagering or betting money on the outcome may not be extended. Questions regarding of a game, contest, or other event. If students vacations should be directed to the Office of take part in gambling they will be reported to Student Life. the Office of Student Life, who will decide the consequences of such behavior, including the VISITORS possibility of an appearance before the Conduct Parents or other adult relatives are welcome Review Committee. to visit students on any day of the week. On Sunday through Thursday, students who go LEAVING CAMPUS out with such visitors for dinner must return to Students have permission to leave the campus their dormitories before evening quiet hours, to go into Mercersburg between 8 a.m. and 7:30 normally 7:30 or 8 p.m. On Friday and Saturday, p.m., Sunday through Thursday. For seniors, they may sign out with their parents until 11 p.m. this permission extends to 8:30 p.m. On Friday In all cases, they must sign out with the dean of and Saturday evenings, students must return students, the dean on duty, or a faculty member to campus no later than the 8 p.m. check-in. in the dormitory. They may not, of course, be Prefects and peer group leaders may occasionally excused from classes or other required activities. sign out to go into Mercersburg until 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and may invite other Students who have friends visit from outside students to accompany them if approved by the the school should alert the Office of Student Life faculty member in the dormitory in which they or the dean on duty of this visit. These visitors reside. Special permission to leave the campus should not be in dormitories without permission at other times or for places other than the from the dormitory dean or a faculty member of boundaries listed below must be obtained from that dormitory. Boys may not enter girls’ rooms the dean. The campus is defined as a matter of and girls may not enter boys’ rooms without security by the dotted line appearing on the map permission from a faculty member of that inside the back cover. dormitory.

Surrounded by a rural culture and beautiful WEEKEND PERMISSION scenery, Mercersburg offers rich opportunities Students may take one long weekend of their for outdoor activities, which students are choosing during the school year in addition to encouraged to enjoy, such as biking, hiking, the long weekends established by the school. jogging, and walking. However, for safety, Long weekends count as one of the 12 weekends students must not travel beyond an area roughly for seniors and one of the 10 available to juniors, extending three miles in any direction from the lower middlers, and upper middlers. A regular town without special permission from the dean weekend begins upon completion of a student’s of students or unless in the company of a faculty last regularly scheduled class on Friday and member. Likewise, a student should never go into ends at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. A long weekend a building or area designated as a no-trespassing chosen by the student begins upon completion zone or as private property. Students are expected of a student’s last regularly scheduled class on to be familiar with those boundaries as indicated Thursday and ends at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday or on a map showing the permitted area of travel begins after a student’s last regularly scheduled which is posted in the Simon Student Center and class on Friday and ends at 7:30 p.m. on Monday. on dormitory floors. Questions or clarification Normally, student weekends will end upon the should be directed to the Office of Student Life. student’s return to the campus and school rules Also, for safety, activities within that authorized will be in effect whenever a student is on school area should not be undertaken alone. Going property. If a student needs to return to campus beyond the defined limits without permission while on a weekend, he or she must have the constitutes being absent from the school without permission of the dean. permission and may jeopardize a student’s place in the school. Students taking weekends must discuss their weekend plans with their adviser and have their parents accept the request via the online weekend form before weekend permission will be granted.

THE BLUE BOOK 29 Students must submit a weekend request form Certain other weekends may be closed at the online with the appropriate information by 2 p.m. discretion of the school. on the Thursday before their planned weekend. One purpose in granting free weekends during The school reserves the right to deny or modify the year is to afford students an opportunity to a student’s weekend permission for reasons leave the school for special events, such as family of conflicting school appointments, scholastic reunions, weddings, birthday celebrations, and standing, disciplinary status, failure to furnish a college visits. We expect that a student who statement of acceptable plans for the weekend, anticipates such an event during the school year or lateness of the request. No students may elect will reserve one of the authorized weekends for to be away from Mercersburg on a weekend the occasion. preceding a vacation or term examinations.

RESIDENTIAL LIFE

Mercersburg Academy is a special place because a minimum response, students who skip a meal we are here together in a residential environment. will lose one of their seven meal cuts and receive This provides opportunities for extraordinary an unexcused absence. Students who wish to take relationships to develop and for activities and a lunch or a dinner meal cut must email their learning to go on throughout the day and evening. requests to the “Meal Cuts” Google Group prior To live together successfully, clear guidelines to the start of the meal. need to be in place and understood not only in our academic life but also in our residential life. OTHER NOTES This includes living in the dormitories and eating Students may not remove dishes, silverware, or together in the dining hall; these two areas make other equipment from the dining hall without up only part of our residential life, but they are permission from the director of dining services. the two discussed in this section. Students may enjoy fruits, beverages, and other snack items provided from time to time between DINING HALL meals in the Simon Student Center. The dining The school is committed to the community’s hall is closed between meals on weekdays. On health and well-being through our dining Saturdays and Sundays, the dining hall remains experience. We work to provide a comfortable open to the campus community and features free atmosphere for the community to gather and snacks, fruits, and beverages all day. share their meals and their time. Suggestions and comments about the meals or the service may SPECIAL DIETS OR MEALS be made to Jeff Gray, director of dining services, Students who have special dietary restrictions either in person, by email, comment card, or by or food allergies or need to make special meal phone at 717-328-6179. Menus and nutritional arrangements for medical reasons or religious information are available through the “Touch of belief should see the director of dining services, SAGE” app for either iOS or Android and can also who will consult with the Health Center staff be accessed through a “Daily Menu” link on the and/or school minister in order to respond calendar page of the Mercersburg website. appropriately to these requests. A vegetarian option is available for lunch and dinner. MEAL ATTENDANCE AND CUTS Students must be present at those weekday TABLE SUPERVISION meals that are required meals unless they have Selected senior leaders serve as table proctors been granted excused absences. The weekday and share, with a member of the faculty, the meals that are not required are breakfast and the responsibility for supervision of a table in the Tuesday- and Friday-evening buffets. Students dining hall. At the table, the proctor assigns are granted seven excused absences (cuts) from waiting duties, called “White Coat” and “Blue lunch or dinner per year with not more than one Coat,” to all students at the table and ensure that per day. No meal cuts may be taken for Monday duties are performed appropriately and positively dinners or Thursday adviser/advisee lunches. As engages everyone at the table. The White Coat is

30 2019-2020 responsible for bringing the food to the table and Normally at least one student prefect resides then returning the serving dishes at the end of on each dormitory floor. Under the guidance the meal. The Blue Coat is responsible for clearing of the dormitory dean, dormitory prefects are the table, scraping the plates, and clearing the responsible for supervision of the floor. They dishes from the table. As needed, the White Coat will also lead weekly dormitory group meetings. and table proctor will assist the Blue Coat with Their duties include support for all rules that Blue Coat duties. govern personal conduct, standards of living, and adherence to those parts of the daily schedule DORMITORIES that affect dormitory life. In addition, prefects Dormitory living at Mercersburg Academy may have school-wide responsibilities such as offers a wide range of living experiences from leading Inbound. A prefect who violates a major Culbertson House (run by one family and housing school rule or demonstrates an unwillingness to 10 students) to Tippetts, Fowle, and Main accept the important obligations of leadership (which house up to 124 students and have as and privilege may forfeit the position. many as 17 faculty members associated with the dormitory). The faculty and prefects who work ROOM SETUP AND ARRANGEMENT GUIDELINES in each dormitory are people to whom students Students’ rooms should provide an atmosphere should go with questions, concerns, and ideas for study and a comfortable place to live away about life in the dormitory. In particular, there from home. Rooms should be safe, uncluttered, are dormitory deans who run each dormitory. If and clean. It is important to follow these there are general concerns about residential life, guidelines and for roommates to arrange students should see the assistant head of school rooms together. The following room setup and for student life and culture (who oversees the arrangement guidelines are listed in order of overall residential-life program) or the director most frequently asked questions: of dormitories regarding specific dormitory- life questions. The advisers and prefects, whose COMPUTERS AND PRINTERS responsibilities are explained below, are key Computers and printers (not 3D) are allowed in people in making residential life a positive student rooms. Monitors may not exceed a 32” experience. diagonal length. Projectors (lamp and LED) and Wi-Fi routers are prohibited in student rooms. Trust and communication are two of many important ingredients in our community’s FURNITURE THE SCHOOL PROVIDES success. Dormitory guidelines are intended The school provides each student with a to support an atmosphere of respect towards mattress, bed frame, desk, dresser, recycling others and their property. Of course, dormitories bin, and wooden chair.* None of these items may must be places where students balance time for be removed from the room or taken apart. All studying, socializing, and quiet in harmony with furniture must be left in a position to be used for those around them. its original intention, and mattresses must be left on the bed frames. PREFECTS *A student may replace the wooden chair with During upper-middle and senior years, selected a similarly sized office chair. The student is boarding students who demonstrate a willingness responsible for moving the school-provided chair to to accept roles of leadership and responsibility dorm storage at the start of the year and putting it within the school community may be asked back in the room at the end of the year. to serve as prefects. All prefects are expected to be good role models for other students, to FURNITURE STUDENTS MAY ADD check in each day with the students in their Each room* may have at most two pieces of “neighborhood,” to counsel students who are additional furniture**. Roommates will have to experiencing difficulty, to provide a liaison work together so that the room does not become between faculty and students in the dormitory, cluttered. and to meet periodically with the assistant head of school for student life and culture, the director **Additional furniture includes sofas, non-office chairs, futons, of dormitories, and/or the dean of students to or other upholstered furniture (no larger than 54” x 75”); tables, trunks, floor speakers, or computer monitors too large to fit on the discuss policies, concerns, and the progress of desks. school life. *Ninth-grade rooms: Until the end of the fall term, the configuration of ninth-grade rooms is determined by the school

THE BLUE BOOK 31 and cannot be altered. After the fall term, roommates may work or woodwork for any purpose. School- with the dormitory dean to plan a suitable configuration. Ninth approved poster putty is available in the graders may not add furniture until after the fall term and must get approval from the dormitory dean. School Store.

„„ Fabric: No fabric wall-hanging may BUNKED BEDS be placed on a wall unless it is of fire- Only beds made for bunking may be converted retardant material and has been given a into bunk beds with the permission of the stamp of approval by the maintenance dormitory dean. For fire-safety purposes, staff. bunked beds must have their long axis along a wall. Beds may only be bunked by authorized „„ Signs: All traffic, street, or other public personnel. information or safety signs, no matter how obtained, are inappropriate as room APPLIANCES decorations. Cooking appliances*, refrigerators, 3D printers, and television sets are not allowed in most RUGS student rooms for fire-safety and energy- One large rug (not exceeding 9’ x 12’) or two conservation reasons. Irons for clothing must medium-sized rugs will be permitted in each have an auto shut-off feature. Dormitory room. Rugs may not be placed on top of one prefects and peer group leaders are allowed to another. Any rugs or other furniture must be in have cooking appliances and mini-refrigerators good repair. that have been approved by the dormitory dean, within school guidelines, for their personal use (but no more than one per prefect/peer group SPEAKERS AND WIRING leader). Sound equipment is permitted. All wiring to *Including but not limited to hot pots, rice cookers, speakers must be kept in good mechanical and microwave ovens, griddles, coffee makers, slow electrical repair. Under no conditions will a cookers, and toaster ovens. student be permitted to extend any electrical or other wiring from room to room, either inside DECORATIONS or outside the building. No wiring other than Appropriateness: Posters, signs, or other objects the cords attached to lamps, radios, or sound or which display or promote alcohol, tobacco, or computer equipment should be used. In the case other drugs are not permissible on campus. This of a cord being too short to reach the table or includes bottles or cans which once contained desk from the wall outlets, an extension cord is alcoholic beverages. In addition, posters, signs, permissible. When there is a question about the and other objects on display in students’ rooms safety of a wiring arrangement, the cords must be must be in good taste and not offensive. For inspected and approved by the maintenance staff. example, posters displaying sexual activity or photos with exposed “private” body parts are not LIGHTING allowed. A parent, faculty member, roommate, Lights added to rooms should use LED bulbs. or student may object to any decoration that All lighting, heating, or other devices, such as is found to be offensive by talking with the candles or lanterns which use an open flame, are dormitory dean. prohibited even for decorative purposes. Total wattage of all bulbs may not exceed 600 watts. „„ Location: Decorations are not allowed to be Halogen lamps are prohibited. “Christmas-type” attached to or cover the ceiling, and may lights are allowed only at certain times and with not cover or hang within one foot of any permission of the dormitory dean. electrical outlet, light, fire alarm, school phone, or switch. Decorations may not CURTAINS be hung outside the dorm except during Students furnish their own window curtains. special times as designated by the director There are blinds or shades in each student of dormitories. In dormitories with dormitory room. bulletin boards or cloth wall-coverings, students may only hang posters and other items in those areas. No metal fasteners or adhesives that will damage the surface may be used on walls, furniture,

32 2019-2020 OTHER DORMITORY GUIDELINES AND announced. Although most required dinners for INFORMATION boarding students (Monday, Wednesday, and Below (listed alphabetically) are rules and other Thursday) are not required for day students, day information which apply to all dormitories. students who are on campus during the evening Individual dormitories will also distribute meal time are expected to attend dinner under guidelines at the beginning of the year. the same guidelines as boarding students. Day students are welcome in the dormitories during BALL PLAYING the day to study or relax in a common room or designated area to visit friends when their friends Ball playing is not permitted in rooms, stairwells, are in the rooms. In the evening, day students or hallways of buildings. Throwing snowballs in may use the library and other academic buildings the vicinity of buildings or carrying snow into as designated for their class and may only study buildings is forbidden. in the dormitory on special occasions with the

permission of the dormitory faculty member on CANVASSING duty. Day students must have the appropriate Students may not canvass the school (i.e. permission from the dorm dean to spend the fundraise, distribute propaganda) for any night on campus in the dormitory to which they purpose without permission of the dean of are assigned and must seek this permission students or the associate head of school for for a Friday or Saturday night stay by 8 p.m. on finance and operations. Student fundraising Thursday. More specific guidelines are available activities are authorized and regulated by the from the dorm dean, director of dormitories, director of finance of the student government. and the Office of Student Life and are sent to day Guidelines may be obtained from the director of students and their families each summer. finance for the group or the office of the associate head of school for finance and operations. DORMITORY GROUP MEETINGS Students or organizations may not sell items in Every Monday night at 9:30 p.m., boarding the dormitories without advance permission from students will meet for approximately half an the dormitory deans. hour to enjoy each other’s company and come

together in community as floors, wings, or whole DAILY EXPECTATIONS dorms to discuss matters related to residential Beds should be made, wastebaskets emptied, and life. Prefects and faculty will lead these meetings. rooms put in order. In general, rooms should be Normally these meetings will take place from kept in good condition at all times—in particular, 9:30 to 10 p.m. on Monday nights; there may also shoes and soiled clothing should be kept in the be other designated times for dormitory meetings closet area. throughout the school year.

DAMAGE FOOD DELIVERIES Damage to buildings, furniture, and grounds Students may order take-out food from is charged to the students causing the damage. authorized local, off-campus establishments If there is damage to the common areas of the and have it delivered during designated hours. dormitories and the person responsible is not Delivery personnel are allowed only in the lobby identified, each member of the dormitory may of the dormitories and only for delivery purposes be charged. Each student is held accountable for during the following hours: breakage and loss in the student’s own room. Any charges will be deducted from the room deposit Monday-Thursday 4 p.m.-8 p.m.; made at the beginning of the year. 9:30-10 p.m.

Friday 4 p.m.-11 p.m. DAY STUDENTS Saturday 1 p.m.-11 p.m. All day students are assigned a locker in an area Sunday 1 p.m.-8 p.m.; of the dormitory with which they are associated 9:30-10 p.m. and also have an adviser who lives in or does duty in their dormitory. Day students have the option INSPECTIONS to rent a combination lock from the Office of Inspections will be made daily by dormitory staff Student Life if they so choose. We do recommend or dormitory prefects. The associate head of day students rent a lock, but this is not a school for finance and operations, the director of requirement. Day students must attend required facilities, the director of dormitories, the dean of lunches each day and other required meals as

THE BLUE BOOK 33 students, and/or the assistant head of school for student should have at least two sets for this student life and culture may also inspect rooms purpose. Students may launder their own linens from time to time. The school reserves the right or send them out to be laundered with an outside to search rooms, lockers, and other personal laundry service available through the Office of storage spaces if something comes to the school’s Student Life in the Simon Student Center (see attention which suggests there is a reason to “Office of Student Life” section under “Places”). search. LOCKING ROOMS INTER-DORMITORY VISITATION Students are encouraged to lock their rooms Normally students affiliated with male when they leave. When students are in their dormitories are not permitted in female rooms, the door must be unlocked. Students may dormitories and students affiliated with lock their doors when they are in their rooms only female dormitories are not permitted in male after the final faculty check-in for the night. dormitories except on Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30 until 10:30 p.m. when the following are PETS in effect: For health and maintenance reasons, students are not allowed to have pets at school. For students in grades 10, 11, and 12: „„ All visitors who wish to see someone STORAGE in the dormitory must immediately Trunks and extra baggage may be kept in announce their presence to the faculty dormitory storage areas. All items placed in member on duty. storage must be placed in sealed plastic bins or plastic bags. Cardboard boxes are no longer „„ All visitors and their hosts must acceptable for storage. subsequently sign in and out with the

faculty member on duty. TELEPHONES „„ The lights must be on and the door to Each dormitory common room includes a the student’s room open enough to allow telephone mounted on the wall. All boarding adequate supervision when visitors are students are expected to keep the telephone present. connected at all times as it serves as an emergency notification device. „„ Dormitory faculty have the right to suspend the privilege of visiting. Students may not use telephones (including cell phones) for phone or video calls when they „„ No inter-dormitory visiting will be have study hours or after their final check-in allowed at other times without faculty in the dormitory. Students who need to use the permission. telephone during those time periods must have permission from a faculty member. In addition, for students in grade 9:

„„ During at least the fall and winter terms of the school year, ninth-grade students EVENING SCHEDULES (See Appendix II) affiliated with a male dormitory may not Students are expected and encouraged to study visit the dormitory rooms of members at various times throughout the day or evening of of students living in a female dormitory the week and weekend. and ninth-grade students affiliated with a female dormitory may not visit the „„ Seniors who do not have restrictions dormitory rooms of students living in a are expected to organize their studies male dormitory. appropriately and do not have to sign in to the dormitories until 10 p.m. (Monday „„ However, visitation may take place in at 9:30 p.m. for dormitory meetings). a common space in the dormitory. The They may use the facilities of the Burgin dormitory deans in Fowle Hall and Center for the Arts, Ford Hall, Irvine Hall, Tippetts Hall will designate those spaces. and Lenfest Hall when those buildings are open and supervised. Entering seniors LINEN SERVICE for the first interim reporting period or Students provide their own linens. Linens should seniors with academic or disciplinary be changed and laundered weekly and each restrictions will follow the evening

34 2019-2020 guidelines for upper and lower middlers. weekly dormitory group meetings. Each weekday night from 9:30 to 10:30 p.m., there is a break „„ Upper middlers and lower middlers may during which students are free to visit. They may sign into their dormitories after 7:30 not leave their dormitories during this break p.m. and no later than 8 p.m. After 8 p.m. without permission. Lights out for juniors and students may choose to stay in their lower middlers is at 10:45 p.m. Upper middlers rooms for quiet study, work with groups and seniors must be in their rooms for the night in the dormitory (with permission), or at 11:00 p.m. If juniors and lower middlers need sign out to Lenfest Hall, Burgin Center, to have lights on after check-in (10:45 p.m.), they Supervised Study Hall, or Irvine Hall for may request permission for late lights. Upper the Math and Science Center, Language middlers and seniors should have lights out by Media Center, or Writing Center when 11:30 p.m. and midnight, respectively. they are open. Students must bring a signed pass back to the faculty member Modifications to the Sunday through Thursday on duty in their dormitory and should evening schedules may be made throughout the be back in the dormitory no later than 10 year. These changes will be announced to the p.m. (on Mondays no later than 9:30 p.m. students at those times and posted in Veracross for dormitory meetings). Upper middlers or in the dormitory. and lower middlers are allowed to study in other places on campus with the FRIDAY AND SATURDAY SCHEDULES appropriate permission. Between 7 and 8 p.m., all students must report to a faculty member on duty in their dormitory „„ Juniors will study in supervised out-of- and may then sign out for activities on campus. dorm study halls during the fall term. All Underclass students must return to their juniors must be in their designated study dormitories and check in with a faculty member hall at the appropriate time, normally 8 on duty by 11 p.m. Seniors must return to their p.m. After the fall term, appropriate study dormitories and check in with a faculty member hall places and hours will be determined on duty by 11:30 p.m. A student who, for any with each student. Juniors are allowed to reason, returns to his or her floor after the study in other places on campus with the hour prescribed for returning must notify the appropriate permission. faculty member or prefect of his or her arrival. All students must be in their own rooms after On Monday evenings, all boarding students midnight unless they have permission to be must return to their dormitories by 9:30 p.m. for elsewhere.

STUDENT SERVICES

Our community works best when we work BURGIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS together and take care of ourselves. Community A major campus landmark, the Burgin Center for members are not on their own. There is plenty the Arts houses all academic and co-curricular of help and support available, some of which has arts programming at Mercersburg Academy. already been mentioned and some of which is The studios, rehearsal spaces, and classrooms described in this section. in the Burgin Center are for the use of students to create, rehearse, and collaborate. Studios, ACADEMIC rehearsal spaces, and classrooms are open to all Ms. Margaret Maciulla is the director of the students, with priority given to those enrolled learning services program. She coordinates in arts classes and PGAs. Student organizations many of the services in the academic area and may reserve rooms for in the Burgin Center is available for consultation. Academic services for meetings and/or events by contacting the are described in the sections on Academic technical director. Information and College Information.

THE BLUE BOOK 35 BURGIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS HOURS The college counseling department is located Monday through Thursday—8 a.m.–6 p.m.; 7 in the Davenport College Counseling Center at p.m.–9:30 p.m. Landis House. Friday—8 a.m.–6 p.m.; select evening hours throughout the year COUNSELING AND PSYCHOLOGICAL Saturday—1-6 p.m. SERVICES Sunday—1-6 p.m., 7–9:30 p.m. As a part of our interest in health and wellness, Mercersburg Academy provides the services of During the evenings and weekends, all students licensed mental health counselors to students must sign in and out of the Burgin Center and who desire help with growth and development. are monitored by Burgin Center proctors and The counseling department is located in the faculty on duty. Certain spaces in the Burgin Rutherford Health and Wellness Center’s may only be used with appropriate supervision Rahauser Counseling Center. and permission (including but not limited to the Simon Theatre and Hale Studio Theatre, Students seeking counseling services can backstage areas, scene shop, and dressing room request an appointment by contacting Director levels). It is important that students respect the of Student Counseling Services Susan Rahauser work of others in the studios and the equipment (717-328-6104 or [email protected]) provided for them. Failure to do so may result in or School Counselor Jennifer Sipes (717-328- limited access to the facility. 6344 or [email protected]). Counseling Department office hours are 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. BURGIN CENTER FACULTY Monday through Friday. Alternate appointment Ms. Laurie Mufson, Director times may be scheduled. When students prefer to Ms. Kelly Dowling, Assistant Director find emotional support by seeking out the school Ms. Syd Caretti, Director of Galleries minister, Rev. Will Whitmore is available (717- Ms. Jessica Doubell, Technical Director 328-6137 or [email protected]).

COLLEGE COUNSELING Mental-health services beyond the level of Mr. Michael Conklin is the director of college care provided by the counseling department counseling and is assisted by Mr. Austin Curwen, are often important and beneficial. If there is a Ms. Cindy Fowler, Ms. Rachel Mallory, Mr. Glenn need for longer-term care or clinical evaluation, Neufeld, and Mr. Stuart Titus. College counselors students will be referred to appropriate licensed interact with students throughout their time at mental-health professionals outside of the Mercersburg, conducting individual and group school’s counseling department. It is the school’s meetings with each grade level and providing expectation that parents will support and comply specific advice, information, and timetables with any recommendations from our counseling to each student. Students will be assigned a department and these professionals. Once counselor in the year of their entry to the school, other professionals are involved, parents are the exact timing of which varies by grade level. encouraged to call them directly for consultation. All costs associated with such services are the full Please note it is the student’s responsibility to responsibility of the family. be familiar with all application deadlines and to submit test scores to the colleges and universities All professionals in the counseling department that require them directly from the testing follow the code of ethics published for the organization. Students are required to submit one counseling profession where privacy is extended Transcript Request Form for each of the colleges to all students; however, should there be an and universities they intend to apply to at least issue of safety, danger, or legal requirement, four weeks prior to the application deadline, but privacy must yield to those concerns. In addition, no later than the Friday following Thanksgiving a counselor may determine it important to break to allow sufficient time for processing. safeguard a student’s interests and well-being Students at Mercersburg apply to a wide variety or those of another student in the community of institutions of higher learning, and the overall by consulting or coordinating with others in the goal of the counseling process is that graduates school on a need-to-know basis. have appropriate and affordable options from which to choose for their post-secondary plans. Should an urgent situation arise where a student or faculty member has a high level of concern

36 2019-2020 for a student, or if there is a mental-health being of students. The concern extends beyond a emergency, the person with the concern should student’s visit to the Health and Wellness Center immediately contact the office of student life to the promotion of healthy living through a or the dean on duty for support and guidance. balance of rest and physical activities, emotional The dean on duty may bring the student to wellness, and good nutrition. Academy faculty the Rutherford Health and Wellness Center and staff and the student’s family are integral and consult with a member of the counseling parts of the team approach in promoting a department. healthy lifestyle. Parents are encouraged to maintain open communication with the Health For concerns about substance use see section and Wellness Center regarding their child’s under general information about “Resources health needs. for Concerns About the Use of Alcohol and Other Drugs.” Students’ discussion of their The Health and Wellness Center offers outpatient own personal alcohol or other drug use with a and limited inpatient health care 24 hours a day, counselor in the Rahauser Counseling Center 7 days a week, by licensed professional nurses. is fully supported by the school; however, Additionally, daily office visits are available possession, arriving under the influence, or with a Certified Nurse Practitioner. Consulting distribution are matters for the Office of Student physicians from Greencastle Family Practice are Life. available 24/7. WellSpan Chambersburg Hospital, WellSpan Waynesboro Hospital, or Meritus GLOBAL PROGRAMS AND INITIATIVES Medical Center (Hagerstown) are the hospitals OFFICE utilized whenever additional diagnostic or Off-campus travel programs offer students and treatment procedures are indicated. Consultants adults an exceptional opportunity for learning in most specialties are available. Outside health- and reflection that would be difficult to provide care providers may require a Mercersburg faculty here on campus. For this reason, and to extend or staff member to be present during a medical learning beyond the classroom, Mercersburg appointment of a minor if the parent isn’t offers a series of global programs to its students available. each spring (limited options, no funding available) and in summer (funding available for HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER VISITS qualifying students). These programs are group The nurse on duty will evaluate and assess travel programs, and policies are written to illnesses and injuries and provide care. If needed, support both the health and safety of the group the nurse will refer and consult with the nurse as well as the well-being of the individual. Please practitioner. Students who feel too sick to attend note that enrolling your child in a program is classes in the morning should call or arrive at the a financial commitment, regardless of grants Health and Wellness Center before the start of the received. If a student agrees to participate in a student’s first class to avoid a class cut. program and later withdraws his/her acceptance of the space, the family will be responsible for the EVENING/NIGHT ILLNESS/EMERGENCIES full cost of the program. Students who are injured or become ill after dark should contact the Health and Wellness The director of global programs, Ms. Justine Center; staff and dormitory faculty will arrange O’Connell, works in collaboration with faculty, transportation to the Health and Wellness Center. advisers, and others in the school regarding matters relating to the global experience of the ADMISSION TO THE HEALTH CENTER students. Ms. O’Connell’s office is located in Any student who is acutely ill or has a disabling Irvine Hall (room 215). illness or injury must spend the day at the Health and Wellness Center instead of attending HEALTH SERVICES PROVIDED THROUGH classes or staying in the dorm. Students who are admitted to the Health and Wellness Center for THE RUTHERFORD HEALTH AND WELLNESS only part of a day and are absent from classes CENTER but released by the end of that class day will be (Phone: 717-328-6136/Fax: 717-328-6214) required to attend supervised study hall. When students come to the Health and Wellness Center The goal of the Health and Wellness Center is with an illness expecting to stay overnight, they to promote the physical and emotional well- should bring pajamas and personal-hygiene

THE BLUE BOOK 37 items (toothbrush, deodorant), as well as books date and time of the student’s return to campus. and study materials that may be needed during It is the student’s responsibility to contact the the stay. adviser to discuss academics if more than two days of classes are missed. After two days, the HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER CHARGES Health and Wellness Center requires a note from Charges are made for office visits, daytime the student’s medical provider and a parent or stays, overnight stays, medical supplies, and guardian should talk with a nurse at the Health medications issued or prescribed for students. and Wellness Center. Routine appointments for Charges are applied toward the expense of eye exams, dental care, or follow-up visits for maintaining a 24/7 health service on campus. chronic problems should be scheduled during Charges incurred are billed directly to parents school breaks, summer vacation, or during one of on the school bill. Parents pay the school directly the student’s weekends at home. for health-care services and are then encouraged to submit these charges to their insurance EXTENDED MEDICAL LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR companies for possible reimbursement or credit MEDICAL OR PSYCHOLOGICAL/EMOTIONAL towards deductibles. An exception to this plan REASONS surrounds international students who purchase The school understands that in some cases the school’s health insurance; in this case, the diagnosis and treatment for certain medical and Health and Wellness Center will submit the psychological conditions and behaviors are best charges. handled outside the boarding-school setting. Should a condition of this nature occur, the HEALTH INSURANCE school reserves the right to require a medical All students are required to be covered by an leave of absence or a medical withdrawal. A insurance plan that provides coverage in the voluntary or mandated medical leave of absence U.S. and specifically in the state of Pennsylvania. will need to be authorized by the school nurse Parents must provide proof of health insurance practitioner or the Rutherford Health and coverage with a United States-based company Wellness Center director, or the director of before the start of school. Families will counseling services in consultation with the head receive specific instructions via electronic of school or assistant head of school for student medical records that will be made available life and culture. It may also be necessary to in the summer. The school offers a policy consult with other members of the community, for international students without medical- such as the dean of students, academic dean, insurance coverage which provides coverage in a dorm dean, or an adviser to determine how a the U.S. Additional information will be provided student is functioning in the school setting. The automatically when forms are completed through same school officials will determine whether Magnus (electronic medical records). and under what circumstances a student should return to school in conjunction with MEDICAL LEAVE other providers. It should be noted that though Any appointment is used to evaluate and treat a student may be able to return to school, urgent medical problems. Medical leave must participation in a program such as a global be applied for in advance and will be reviewed program where access to support/medical and approved by an appropriate staff member. resources are limited may need to be reviewed by The request must indicate the name and address school officials and the student’s family before of the physician or consultant, the time of the permission is granted. appointment, the time of departure and return to campus, the nature of the illness or injury, and HOME ILL transportation arrangements. Students should Day students who stay home ill for a day or part check out at the Health and Wellness Center when of a day and do not attend classes must have a leaving campus, and students are required to parent/guardian notify the Health and Wellness check in at the Health and Wellness Center upon Center before 8:50 a.m. that they will be absent return to campus to discuss diagnosis, treatment, from classes. The Health and Wellness Center and any necessary follow-up care. Those who are must receive a call every day before 8:50 a.m. ill at home at the end of vacation or on weekends that the student is home and a call the day that should phone the Health and Wellness Center at the student returns to class. Day students may 717-328-6136 to request medical leave indicating go home ill during a class day only after checking the nature of the condition and the estimated with the Health and Wellness Center, and only

38 2019-2020 after the Health and Wellness Center has received these issues with their children. In no instance approval from a parent/guardian. will procedures or outside referrals be arranged without the expressed permission of the parents. IMMUNIZATIONS AND ALLERGY INJECTIONS Students who have been advised by their family LIBRARY physicians to continue allergy injections during The proper use of the library and circulation of the school year will need to contact the Health library materials for study is an important aspect and Wellness Center so arrangements can be of academic life. The library staff will gladly assist made for the allergy injections to be administered any students who need help in library use. when the physician is present. LIBRARY HOURS DENTAL CARE Monday—8 a.m.–6 p.m.; 7 p.m.–9:30 p.m. Appointments for dental care, including Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday—8 a.m.–6 p.m.; orthodontia, are made through the Health and 7–9:50 p.m. Wellness Center. The parent will be billed a fee for Friday—8 a.m.–5 p.m. transportation to the appointment. Saturday—1-3 p.m. Sunday—1-5 p.m., 7–9:50 p.m. MEDICATION Students are not allowed to have prescription (Note: The library is closed during the regular drugs in their possession unless the Health and lunch period.) Wellness Center staff has authorized the use and possession of these medications. All medication An outline of library procedures is available in for a student sent from home must be sent the library and on the school website. Failure directly to the Health and Wellness Center, not to adhere to those regulations may result in to the student. Please note that Robitussin and disciplinary action. cough-syrup products are not allowed in rooms and must be authorized by the Health and Printed library materials, excluding reference Wellness Center for use. Sharing prescription books, magazines, and special reserves, circulate medication with others is dangerous, against the for a period of three weeks. DVDs may be checked law, and a violation of a major school rule (see out for a period of three days. All materials must major school rule section). be checked out at the front desk. Notices are sent out the day before an item is due to help remind CONFIDENTIALITY students to return them in a timely matter. After The Rutherford Health and Wellness Center staff four weeks overdue materials will be considered believes that the family is an important part of lost and the student will be billed the replacement the healthcare team. Parents are kept informed cost as well as a processing fee. regarding a student’s health. Often a Health and Wellness Center staff member will contact the The dress code for the library is casual during family regarding student health concerns, and all times when classes are not in session. students are encouraged to communicate with Conversation and noise in general should be kept their families. At times, sensitive issues arise to a minimum during study halls. If students wish which may be difficult for students to discuss to collaborate, they are encouraged to meet in a with their families. These may include issues of classroom. Additionally, the Hager Reading Room sexuality, birth control, pregnancy, and sexually is silent during quiet hours. transmitted disease. In such situations, in order to provide timely information or treatment, The copier in the library is free to students. the student’s request for confidentiality will be Students should use this resource appropriately. respected. This includes appropriate medical evaluation and the prescription of birth control WEEKEND LIBRARY ASSISTANTS unless specifically excluded in advance by The director of library services selects a limited the parent. The student will be encouraged to number of students to serve as assistants on understand the parent’s concern and support weekends. An assistant who violates a major will be offered to aid the student in developing school rule or demonstrates an unwillingness to the ability to discuss sensitive issues with their accept the duties and responsibilities may forfeit parents. It is helpful if parents will develop the position. and maintain open communications regarding

THE BLUE BOOK 39 LENFEST PROCTORS School transportation will leave approximately The director of library services selects and one hour after the scheduled time the vacation/ supervises a group of Lenfest Proctors who break begins on the first day of that vacation/ help monitor the library as well as operate the break. The dates and times of the vacations/ circulation desk in Lenfest Hall one evening breaks can be found on the calendar located per week during study hall. A proctor who inside the front cover of this booklet. Please allow violates a major school rule or demonstrates three hours travel time to or from Mercersburg an unwillingness to accept the duties and and one hour check-in time (four hours total) responsibilities may forfeit the position. when booking flights/trains from the start of vacation/break. TRANSPORTATION Return transportation is arranged on the last day GENERAL of the scheduled vacation/break. When making The school will schedule transportation service return arrangements, please book flights/trains for medical appointments that are scheduled that arrive no later than 5 p.m., if possible. through the Health Center and for certain other school-related needs such as off-campus testing. OTHER NEEDS Transportation is also arranged for the beginning The school does not provide transportation and ending of school, Thanksgiving vacation, for regular weekend leaves. Students wanting winter vacation, and spring vacation to the transportation for arrangements that fall outside following: Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR) of what the school schedules are responsible in Hagerstown, Md.; Harrisburg International for making those arrangements and payments Airport (MDT) and Amtrak Station in Harrisburg, individually. This includes transportation for Pa.; and the Baltimore/Washington (BWI) and events such as weekends away from campus. Washington Dulles (IAD) International Airports. Students planning their own transportation should be in touch with the Office of Student Life The cost of school transportation is paid by prior to their departure from school. the student’s Blue Card or charged home. Students who fail to appear for their scheduled IRVINE MEMORIAL CHAPEL transportation will still be charged. Certain The Chapel is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. All airlines require additional services for community members are welcome to use the unaccompanied minors. The requirements and Chapel for meditation or prayer. The school the ages of “minor” vary and are determined minister, Rev. Will Whitmore, is a full-time by the airline. The transportation office needs faculty member and available for consultation in to be notified if your child will require these the Chapel office and actively serves and supports additional services. There will be extra time community members of all faith traditions incurred upon the school drivers and additional by providing opportunities for worship, fees charged. Questions regarding transportation meditation, and spiritual reflection within the should be directed to Carol Ecton, transportation life of the school and the larger community. coordinator, at 717-328-6213 or ectonc@ A Protestant Christian worship service is held mercersburg.edu. in the Chapel every Sunday while school is in session. Transportation is provided for Roman During the time when students are on Catholic students every Sunday to attend St. Luke transportation chartered by the school, they the Evangelist Mission in town. Other special are considered to be under the school rules of school events take place in the Chapel, such as behavior, and they are held strictly accountable occasional lectures or programs in the evening, for any misconduct. regular community gatherings, and weekly Chapel programs or school meetings on Fridays. SIGNING UP FOR TRANSPORTATION On Sunday afternoons during the academic year, Students are required to sign up for both carillon concerts feature School Carillonneur Mr. departing and return transportation 10 days James A. Brinson or other guest artists. before the start of the vacation/break. Last- minute requests are not guaranteed or may TECHNOLOGY CENTERS require additional fees. Computers and printers are available to students at various locations in the library. Printers are also available to students in the informational

40 2019-2020 technology office on the fourth floor of Irvine The gymnasium may not be used for outdoor Hall. Each dormitory has school-owned sports without approval. computers and several network ports available for student use. Network ports are available OFFICE OF STUDENT LIFE to students in their dormitory rooms during Under the direction of Mr. Chris Howes (assistant designated hours. head of school for student life and culture) and Ms. Jo Wrzesinsky (dean of students) the Office ATHLETIC COMPLEX of Student Life is located in the Simon Student The athletic complex is open to students Monday Center of Ford Hall. This office is open daily from through Saturday, typically from 6:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. until 4:45 p.m.; after office hours, the 6:30 p.m. All facilities are open at that time with area is normally open from 5 p.m. until 11 p.m. the exception of the pool, which can only be used during the week (Sunday through Thursday). On by students with the supervision of a lifeguard weekends it is staffed intermittently throughout and a faculty member. Students, faculty, and the day and after dinner until after check-in. staff should contact the athletic department for guidelines on the use of the gymnasium by school This office provides supervision, support for, and groups beyond regular hours. involvement in the students’ lives, in and around the school. In addition to the dean and assistant On Sundays, the athletic complex is open from head of school for student life and culture, 1-5 p.m.; the pool is open from 3-4:30 p.m. the dean of students, and the administrative coordinator (who are in the office during the HELP AND SUPPORT CENTERS day), there is a dean on duty each afternoon and evening. The Office of Student Life will have „„ The Language Media Center (LMC) is up-to-date information on campus events, located in Irvine Hall (room 303). special trips, and lists of the whereabouts and/ or numbers of school personnel and students. „„ The Math and Science Center is located The deans on duty (in addition to Mr. Howes and in Irvine Hall (room 406). Ms. Wrzesinsky) are: Mr. David Bell, Mr. Selas Douglas, Mr. Brett Potash, Ms. Leah Rockwell, „„ The Writing Center is located in Irvine and Mr. Dan Walker. Hall (room 316). A laundry and dry-cleaning service is available through the Office of Student Life. Laundry can MCDOWELL FITNESS CENTER be dropped off and picked up on designated days Because of the many concerns related to safety, each week. The school is not responsible for health, and proper decorum, the fitness center lost or damaged laundry or dry cleaning. More has its own guidelines and rules for operation. information is available in the Office of Student Those are posted in the fitness center and every Life. student is expected to be familiar and comply with those guidelines. SIMON STUDENT CENTER The student center is located in the lower level The facility is open for student use at the of Ford Hall and is a recreational facility for the following times: school community. There are games available, Monday through Friday—6:30-9 a.m. with several lounge areas that provide comfortable fob. Students can access the fitness center living room environments for small groups, and from areas for television and movies. Neither games 9 a.m.-3 p.m. with assistance from the nor television are available during the class day. athletic directors.

Saturday— 9 a.m.-12 noon The student center is open at the following hours: Sunday— 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

„„ Monday through Thursday—8 a.m.–9:50 Students may only use the basketball and squash p.m. court areas with proper athletic shoes. Students must not wear shoes which have been worn „„ Friday—8 a.m.–10:50 p.m. (10:50 p.m.– outside when using these areas. 11:20 p.m. seniors only)

THE BLUE BOOK 41 „„ Saturday—12 noon–10:50 p.m. (10:50 „„ Friday—8 a.m.–10:50 p.m. (10:50 p.m.– p.m.–11:20 p.m. seniors only) 11:20 p.m. seniors only)

„„ Sunday—1 p.m.–9:50 p.m. „„ Saturday—Noon–10:50 p.m. (10:50 p.m.–11:20 p.m. seniors only)

TRUE BLUE CAFÉ „„ Sunday—1–8 p.m. The café is also located in the student center. Food and beverages are available for purchase STUDENT BANK from the café when it is open. Hours vary and are The student bank is operated from the school posted at various locations. store in the Simon Student Center. Funds may only be withdrawn through the use of the Blue OUTDOOR EDUCATION OFFICE Card. The Blue Card is issued to each student at the beginning of the school year and also Mr. Pete Gunkelman is the director of outdoor serves as a student ID. Parents may load funds education and Ms. Sarah Bozzi is the assistant into students’ Blue Card accounts via the Parent director. Their office is located in the Simon Portal of Veracross so that the students can Student Center. The Masinter Outdoor Education withdraw cash at the student bank. The Blue Center is located at the southeast edge of campus. Card allows parents who would like to give their

student a cash allowance the ability to load their POST OFFICE funds on an automatic, recurring basis. For Outgoing mail should be dropped in the mail slot example, a parent wanting their child to have at the post office in the Simon Student Center. All a $25/week allowance will simply set up that incoming mail is distributed in the boxes at the amount of money to be added to the student’s post office. Student Bank account each week automatically. The student bank maintains the same hours as SCHOOL STORE the school store. The school store is located in the Simon Student Center. This store carries school supplies, STUDENT ACTIVITIES OFFICE stationery, school apparel, toiletries, and sundry Ms. Trini Hoffman is the director of student items. More information is available from Ms. activities. Her office is located in the Simon Barb Thorne, the school store supervisor. The Student Center. Students are encouraged to store is open daily during the school year at the stop by with ideas for the Student Activities following hours: Committee.

„„ Monday through Thursday—8 a.m.–8 p.m.

ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES

Many extracurricular activities are available to strictly forbidden. Participation in such groups students. Listings by category follow with the or formation of such groups could result in names of people to contact for more information. disciplinary action. All students are encouraged to become involved. Specific details regarding each of the Students interested in forming a club or organizations and activities are available in the organization should consult the Student student activities office and the office of student Council’s Director of Activities or Ms. Trini life in the Simon Student Center. Hoffman (the director of student activities) for information and permission to begin the process. STUDENT LEADERSHIP All clubs and organizations ultimately must be At Mercersburg Academy, we are committed to approved by the faculty. Unauthorized clubs, building the strength of character in each of our organizations, or groups (e.g., “secret” societies, students that inspires generosity, authenticity, fraternities or sororities, publications) are

42 2019-2020 and responsibility—when no one, or everyone, is With greater responsibility and investment in the looking. With this understanding, Mercersburg school, students learn to live up to expectations has intentionally and purposefully put in rather than conform to rules. The personal and place numerous initiatives that contribute to intellectual freedom they enjoy allows them to developing a culture of student leadership. We learn how to learn and live. As students progress have also placed an emphasis on providing through Mercersburg, they earn a greater opportunities for students to have an impact share of the privileges and responsibilities of on the everyday activities of the school. As an democratic living. Thus, through a natural independent boarding school, we have the unique and gradual process, students develop a sense opportunity to know and value students in a of personal and group responsibility that is manner not all schools enjoy. We come to know recognized in the senior year by a substantial our students not only in our classrooms, but measure of self-government. also in our dorms, as advisees, and as artists, musicians, athletes, and actors. This opportunity PEER GROUP AND THE MENTOR to know students in a variety of settings allows LEADERSHIP PROGRAM us to develop lasting and authentic relationships. Peer Group for High Schools is an evidence- In a world where technology exponentially based program that supports and eases students’ increases and, at times, seems to push personal successful transition from middle to high school. interaction to the fringes, Mercersburg Academy, The program taps into the power of 11th and 12th with its personal programming and emphasis on graders to create a nurturing environment for character and leadership growth, is uniquely able incoming ninth-grade students. Once per week, to expose and teach students about these changes pairs of Peer Group Leaders meet with groups in our society while also continuing to help our of 10-14 ninth graders in outreach sessions students develop the emotional and social skills designed to strengthen relationships among that are necessary for our world’s future. We students across grades. These peer leaders are strongly believe that students, as future leaders, simultaneously enrolled in a daily, for-credit, must be ethically grounded and emotionally yearlong leadership course taught by school mature. faculty during regular school hours.

At Mercersburg Academy, we also believe Peer Group Leaders meet with their group of that leadership is multifaceted, layered, and ninth-grade students Wednesday nights from complicated, and also vitally important. Through 7-8 p.m. from the beginning of the school year specific leadership coursework, leadership through early February. Peer Group curriculum labs, special programs, weekly meetings, and touches upon homesickness, use of technology, everyday classroom content, students gain the exam preparation, use of time, treatment of leadership skills knowledge needed to move others, drugs and alcohol, and self-reflection, as from competence to confidence to independence. well as games and fun activities. Students will learn to be responsible for themselves and will gain perspectives as they The Mentor Leadership Program is a sister prepare to practice leadership in our daily program to Peer Group which runs from the community. beginning of the school year through the fall term. We recognize that new lower middlers The students are the heart of Mercersburg sometimes have a difficult time assimilating to Academy, and ultimately, we want them to life at Mercersburg Academy. We saw this as an be independent and engaged members of the opportunity to aid this specific population by community. Therefore, they should be involved, providing additional support. take active roles in all aspects of Mercersburg, and feel a sense of ownership over their school The Mentor Leadership Program connects experience. We strongly believe that leadership members of the senior class with a group begins with developing deep relationships of lower-middlers. The curriculum for this between faculty and students so that we can program includes reflection of self, vulnerability foster a climate where students learn to fail and listening skills, use of time, and drugs and successfully—to hit a dead end, learn from alcohol, and culminates in a session about exam missteps or setbacks, and through iteration, preparation as the lower middlers face their first inevitably move forward. term exams at Mercersburg Academy.

THE BLUE BOOK 43 A breakdown of the difference between the two Cross Country (fall) programs is below. Diving (winter) Football (fall; V & JV) PEER GROUP LEADER: Golf (fall: V, spring: club) „„ Works with ninth graders Lacrosse (spring; V & JV) Soccer (fall; V, JV, & Thirds) „„ Runs through early February Squash (winter; V & JV) Swimming (fall/winter/spring) „ „ Upper-middlers and seniors lead each Tennis (spring; V & JV) session Indoor Track & Field (winter) Outdoor Track & Field (spring) MENTOR LEADERSHIP PROGRAM Wrestling (winter) „„ Works with new 10th graders For Girls „„ Runs through fall term Basketball (winter; V & JV) Cross Country (fall) „„ Senior mentors lead each session Diving (winter) Field Hockey (fall; V & JV) PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND PERFORMANCE Golf (fall: club, spring: V) GROUP ACTIVITY Lacrosse (spring; V & JV) All students, unless exempted for medical Soccer (fall; V & JV) reasons, participate in activities. This includes at Softball (spring) least four hours of vigorous physical activity each Squash (winter; V & JV) week and may be fulfilled by participation on an Swimming (fall/winter/spring) interscholastic athletic team or by other options Tennis (fall; V & JV) published and supervised by the physical- Indoor Track & Field (winter) education department each term. Outdoor Track & Field (spring) Volleyball (fall; V & JV) Intertwined with an academic requirement for physical education, students are expected to COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT participate in “performance groups” in order to Dr. Tricia Crocker is the director of the learn and gain from collaborative experiences Community Engagement program. The and to best realize their fullest potential. Community Engagement office is located in Irvine Hall (room 215). Engagement or service Students are expected to participate in such work, though not a graduation requirement, activities as follows: is both an opportunity and an expectation at 9th Grade – 3 terms Mercersburg. In our mission statement, we 10th Grade – 3 terms embrace the value of hard work, character, 11th Grade – 3 terms and community while learning to balance 12th Grade – 2 terms independence with interdependence and *All seniors and postgraduate students who are individual humility with collective pride. Our new to the school are expected to participate in a students commit to a life of learning, seek PGA during the fall term. to understand the spiritual nature of human existence, and develop a determination to lead Ms. Nikki Walker oversees the performance group and serve the world. The work of the Community activities (PGAs) program. PGAs include the Engagement program connects logically with following during various terms. many of these goals.

ATHLETICS Each term, the Community Engagement All students are eligible to participate in a program offers a PGA option in which students program of competitive athletics. Interscholastic work in partnership with and build capacity teams are fielded in the following sports: at local organizations. Students also plan and develop programming on and off campus to For Boys serve the school community and local partners. Baseball (spring; V & JV) Weekly site visits are supplemented by weekend Basketball (winter; V, JV, Thirds) engagements. A few examples of partner organizations are: Special Olympics Maryland,

44 2019-2020 United Way, Boys’ and Girls’ Club, Girls Inc., PERFORMING ARTS PGAS Mercersburg Elementary School, First United Stony Batter Players (theatre productions and Methodist Church Day Care, the American Red tech crew, Ms. Mufson, Ms. Dowling, Ms. Doubell, Cross, and Menno Haven Retirement Community. Mr. Maurer) Dance (Ms. Dalton) In addition, there are many other opportunities Jazz Band, Magalia, and Octet (musical groups, for students to volunteer with the local see below) community. The 10th grade participates in local community service on a scheduled class day STUDENT LEADERSHIP each year. All students are invited to volunteer at engagement opportunities offered on and STUDENT COUNCIL off campus when space permits and a student’s President – Aba Sankah schedule is free of conflict. The director of Vice President – Caroline Kranich community engagement works with students Executive Member at Large – Chioma Oparaji who are interested in developing engagement and Director of Finance – Anabelle Oldham service projects on an individual basis. Students Director of Student Activities – Davis Anderson are encouraged to propose and develop their own Faculty Adviser – Mr. Chris Howes projects as individuals, advisee groups, clubs, teams, or even entire dormitories. CLASS COUNCIL OFFICERS

MERCERSBURG OUTDOOR EDUCATION Seniors Mercersburg Outdoor Education (MOE) provides President – Jesse Zhang expanded learning, growth, and leadership Vice President – Jack Kothari opportunities to all members of the Mercersburg Director of Finance – Anabelle Oldham community. Reaching across the academic, Director of Student Activities – Davis Anderson residential, athletic and extracurricular facets Grade Dean – Mr. Dan Walker of the school, MOE takes advantage of local and global outdoor environments to offer a Upper Middlers wide variety of experience-based opportunities President – Rose Potter and activities. By focusing on a total learning Vice President – Max Bratter program, MOE teaches students responsible Director of Finance – Tracy Le leadership skills, relationship building talents, Director of Student Activities – Nai’a Jurgensen the value of self-discipline, and expands Grade Dean – Ms. Leah Rockwell individuals’ character. MOE strives to enhance a student’s overall experience and develop Lower Middlers responsible membership in local and global President – John Xu communities. MOE offers a wide variety of Vice President – Destiny Rodney programs from introductory skills in mountain Director of Finance – Emma Shuford biking, snowboarding, skiing, rock climbing, and Director of Student Activities – Harriet Brown wilderness living/travel to advanced outdoor- Grade Dean – Mr. David Bell skills classes, winter travel and climbing, and extended expeditions. Mr. Pete Gunkelman is the Juniors (to be elected after the fall term) director of outdoor education and Ms. Sarah Bozzi President – is the assistant director. Vice President – Director of Finance – Outdoor Education PGAs include: Director of Student Activities – „„ Fall: Rivers & Trails, Mountain Biking, Grade Dean – Mr. Selas Douglas Climbing „„ Winter: Ski Mountaineering, The Downhill STUDENT COUNCIL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE (ski, snowboard) Program The Student Council Executive Committee is comprised of the members of the Student „„ Spring: Rivers & Trails, Mountain Biking, Council, the president and vice president of each Climbing Class Council, and the faculty adviser to student government, Mr. Howes.

THE BLUE BOOK 45 STUDENT ACTIVITIES COMMITTEE HEADWAITERS Student Representatives–Davis Anderson, Harriet Brown, Annaliesse Cantera, Stanley Fang, Harriet Brown, Nai’a Jurgensen Christian Jetter, Jack Mitchell, Chantler Newton, Maggie Quick, Kenneth Yonke CONDUCT REVIEW COMMITTEE „„ Faculty: Mr. Rahauser (chairman), DINING HALL PROCTORS Mr. Bontrager, Ms. Bozzi, Ms. Magalhães, Will Allen, Davis Anderson, Julia Borger, Ms. R. Mallory, Ms. A. Patterson, Berklee Cohen, James Colwell, Karrington Doyle, Mr. Weibley Erika Eichelberger, Aidan Ferrin, Diego Garza Gutierrez, Gacihi Gichinga, „„ Students: Will Allen (12), Shirley Lee (12), Zoe Gooch, Gabrielle Grandjean, Ryan Gu, Marco Malo (11), Elizabeth Kendrick (11), Ryer Hastings, Alexandra Howard, Grace Heine, Finn Sipes (10), Fall Election (9) Caroline Kranich, Brandon Lamer-Connolly, Kevin Lee, Shirley Lee, Grace Lewis, Megan List, DUTY DEAN ASSISTANTS Carmen Martinez, Will Maurer, Daniel Mazo, Arianna Campi, Henry Kissam, Birdy McDonnell, Taichi Miura, Diego Morgan, Pune Monsereenusorn, Tanaka Mukudzavhu, Mia Nguyen, Henry O’Brien, Oba Oluwehinmi, Clarissa Thompson Chioma Oparaji, Julee Rodgers, Aba Sankah, Ethan Weeks, Riley Wick, Elizabeth Yang, DORMITORY PREFECTS Jack Yeager, Jesse Zhang, Gary Zheng „„ Culbertson House – Madi Norris „„ Fowle Hall – Eyram Awittor-Awuma, LENFEST PROCTORS Sally Ballantine, Keli Flanagan, Ava Hull, Birdy McDonnell, Tanaka Mukudzavhu, Mia Ingram, Elizabeth Kendrick, Arola Oluwehinmi, Amelia Page, Aba Sankah, Jiachen Sun, Priscilla Wadlington, Clarissa Thompson Farah Yahaya WEEKEND LIBRARY ASSISTANTS „„ Keil Hall – Diego Garza Gutierrez, Ella Chatigny, Marlee Ecton, Kristina Garbuzar, Aakash Koduru, Jack Mitchell, Mia Ingram, Jessica Luo, Saskia Mentor, Campbell Prentiss Jiachen Sun, Julie Trapanese, Riley Wick

„„ Main Hall – Blake Boggess, Kevin Chen, PEER GROUP LEADERS Aidan Ferrin, Mike Kopnin, Jack Kothari, Ryan Bland, Julia Borger, Jesse Broyles, Tom Wu Kiersten Donnelly, Ryan Gu, Sophie Krasny, „„ South Cottage – Stapley Curwen, Brandon Lamer-Connolly, Megan List, Allison Jones, Caroline Kranich, Will Maurer, Daniel Mazo, Chioma Oparaji, Grace Lewis, Maggie Quick, Emily Rivera-Castro, Natalie Titus, Andrew Yuen Naeemah Winter MENTOR LEADERSHIP „„ Swank Hall – Rosina Beritela, Peter Berle, Alex Coenjaerts, Zoe Gooch, Lauren Besch, Annaliesse Cantera, Audrey McGrory, Diego Morgan, Allison Schuldt Shirley Lee, Selina Xue, Elizabeth Yang HEAD BLUE KEYS „„ Tippetts Hall – Stanley Fang, Andy Armbruster, Caroline Dillard, Keli Flanagan, Dylan Gantt, Minsoo Jung, TV Kieu, Clara Getty, Addie Jenkins, Daniel Mazo, Ryan Kim, Kevin Lee, Marco Malo, Oba Oluwehinmi, John Xu Max Yang, Gary Zheng BURGIN CENTER PROCTOR LEADERSHIP DAY STUDENT PREFECTS COMMITTEE „„ Fowle Hall – Maddie Dawson, Karrington Doyle, Kristina Garbuzar, Marlee Ecton, Isabel Lewis, Virginia Jones, Julee Rodgers, Reese Wilten Anika Willander

„„ Tippetts Hall – Jake Ahlgren, Jay Howley BURGIN CENTER PROCTORS Lucy Bowman, Carina Cole, Ian Cruikshank, Dylan Dowling, Zoe Gooch, Alex Gound, Grace Heine, Roy Kang, Miki Kato, Tracy Le,

46 2019-2020 Birdy McDonnell, Shoki Nemoto, Madi Norris, Skateboard Club (Mr. McGuire) Maddie Schermerhorn, Riley Schermerhorn, Ski Club (Ms. T. Hoffman) Emma Shuford, Finn Sipes, Matthew Tavarez, Hung Tran, Joie Xiao, Victoria Zhivova CULTURAL/RELIGIOUS Black Student Union (Mr. Malone, Mr. Douglas) CHAPEL USHERS Catholic Club (Mr. Thorne) Lucy Bowman, James Colwell*, George Divone, Jewish Club (Ms. Mufson) Donovan Dowling, Shannon Fan*, Addie Geitner, Youth Group (Rev. Whitmore) Mia Ingram, Will Maurer, Mia Nguyen, Anabelle Oldham, Maggie Quick*, Colette LANGUAGE CLUBS Sandhu, Aba Sankah, Julie Trapanese, French (Ms. Prescott) Cate Vickery (*Head Ushers) German (Mr. Kempe) Mercersburg Junior Classical League-Latin LANGUAGE MEDIA CENTER AMBASSADORS (Mr. Thorne) Chinese - Leo Li, Jessica Luo, Lian Wang, Spanish (Ms. Valenteen) Max Yang French - Emily Rivera-Castro, Julee Rodgers MUSICAL ACTIVITIES German - Kristina Garbuzar, Alexandra Howard Mercersburg offers various vocal and Latin - Arianna Campi, Ryer Hastings, instrumental music opportunities for students. Jack Kothari, Alexa Marsh, Amelia Page, The three core groups—the Chorale, the Emma Shuford, Tom Wu Band, and the String Ensemble—are academic Spanish - Aidan Ferrin, Clara Getty classes and receive 2 credits per year. Band and Chorale meet during the normal class-rotation MATH AND SCIENCE CENTER ASSISTANTS schedule and the String Ensemble rehearses Ryan Bland, Kevin Chen, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings following Brandon Lamer-Connolly, Erika Eichelberger, dinner. Students in the core programs have the Shannon Fan*, Sean Fiscus*, Kristina Garbuzar, opportunity to audition for smaller ensembles. Addie Geitner, Ryan Gu, Kenny Hong, The music faculty share responsibility for Terrance Ji, Minsoo Jung, Miki Kato, TV Kieu, conducting these groups and provide support for Jack Kothari, Shirley Lee, Leo Li, Taichi Miura, the formation of other groups. Shoki Nemoto, Krysten Nguyen, Owen Ying, „„ Academic Classes Maggie Quick, Brandon Ryu, Jiachen Sun, Matthew Tavarez, Hung Tran, Julie Trapanese, „„ Band (Mr. Rotz, Mr. Morgan) Lian Wang, Ceara Weiss, John Xu, Selina Xue, „„ Chorale (Mr. Morgan, Mr. Brinson) Gary Zhang (*Co-Student Directors) „„ String Ensemble (Mr. Cameron)

WRITING CENTER FELLOWS „„ Co-Curricular Groups (by audition only— Lauren Besch, Kiersten Donnelly, Alexa Marsh, members MUST participate in an academic Carmen Martinez, Daniel Mazo, Maggie Quick core group listed above) „„ Jazz Band (Mr. Morgan) STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND CLUBS „„ Magalia (Mr. Brinson), a cappella (ACTIVE IN 2018-2019) vocal ensemble for women „„ Octet (Mr. Rotz), a cappella vocal ACADEMIC/LITERARY/DRAMA ensemble for men Art Club (Ms. Caretti) Book Club (Ms. A. Patterson, Ms. J. Bell) „„ Additional Music Opportunities Cinematography Club (Mr. Patterson) Computer Science Club (TBD) „„ Chapel Choir (Mr. Brinson), Fifteen (Mr. Patterson) vocal ensemble open to all which Science Club (Ms. Smith) rehearses one evening and Stony Batter Players (Ms. Mufson, Mr. Maurer) performs at select Chapel services

ADVENTURE/ATHLETIC INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL INSTRUCTION Climbing Club (Mr. Gunkelman) Mercersburg offers private instrumental and Sixth Man Club (Mr. Hendrickson) vocal instruction when teachers are available. Private lessons can be arranged through Mr. Rotz

THE BLUE BOOK 47 and may include teachers from the Cumberland Math and Science Center Assistants (Ms. Smith) Valley School of Music. Organ, piano, and carillon Peer Group/Mentor Leadership (Ms. instruction opportunities are available from Mr. Cunningham, Rev. Whitmore) Brinson. Prefects (Mr. Potash) Student Activities Committee (Ms. T. Hoffman) PUBLICATIONS Student Government (Mr. Howes) Blue Review (literary arts journal/Ms. Pixler, Writing Center Fellows (Ms. Poacelli) Ms. Poacelli) Karux (yearbook/Mr. Owen, Mr. Maurer) The Mercersburg News (newspaper/Ms. Stephens, Mr. Betkowski)

SOCIAL/ENVIRONMENTAL/OTHER CONCERNS AND ISSUES Community Engagement (Dr. Crocker) Fabretto (Mr. McGuire) Green Team - Environmental Group (Mr. Willis) Mercersburg Inclusion Alliance (Mr. Potash) Rainbow Alliance (Ms. Stephens and Mr. Douglas) Women’s Activist Club (Ms. Stephens)

SOCIETIES Each student in school is chosen to membership in one of two societies. By tradition, the two societies compete during the final week of the winter term in athletics and Declamation. John Marshall Literary Society (Annaliese Cantera, Mr. Clark) Washington Irving Literary Society (Addie Jenkins, Mr. Maurer)

SPECIAL INTERESTS Baking Club (Ms. Swope) Chess Club (Mr. Sweeney) Conservative Club (TBD) Debate Club (Mr. Bennett) Four on the Floor (Mr. Bennett) Gaming/Dungeons & Dragons Club (Mr. Maurer) Guitar Club (TBD) Model United Nations (Ms. Stephens, Mr. Owen) Photography Club (Ms. M. Mallory) Student Alumni Association (Mr. Bershatsky) Tea Club (Mr. Caretti)

STUDENT LEADER GROUPS Head Blue Keys (Mr. Kennedy) Burgin Center Proctors (Ms. Dowling) Chapel Ushers (Rev. Whitmore) Class Councils (Mr. Howes) Conduct Review Committee (Mr. Rahauser) Dean on Duty Student Assistants (Mr. Howes) Headwaiters, Table Proctors (Mr. Patterson) Language Media Center Ambassadors (Ms. Prescott) Lenfest Proctors, Weekend Library Assistants (Ms. A. Patterson)

48 2019-2020 ABOUT MERCERSBURG

HISTORY OF MERCERSBURG ACADEMY opened the school with an enrollment of forty students, four instructors, and four acres of On March 31, 1836, the Pennsylvania State ground, the land on which Main Hall, North Legislature granted a charter to Marshall College, Cottage, and South Cottage stand. Under Dr. which took Mercersburg for its location. Dr. Irvine’s leadership the Academy grew in physical Frederick Augustus Rauch, who receives credit equipment and reputation. for having introduced the study of psychology as a distinct science in America, came from At Dr. Irvine’s death in 1928, his old friend Switzerland to be the first president of the college Dr. Boyd Edwards, who had been headmaster under the sponsorship of the Reformed Church of the Hill School, came to Mercersburg and in America. Dr. Rauch served as president from filled the headmastership until 1941. When Dr. 1836 to 1841. His successor in this position was Edwards retired that year, Dr. Charles S. Tippetts Dr. John Williamson Nevin, a famous church (of Mercersburg’s Class of 1912) resigned historian, who served until 1853, at which time from the deanship of the School of Business Marshall College joined with Franklin College in Administration at the University of Pittsburgh to Lancaster, Pa., to become Franklin and Marshall become Mercersburg’s third headmaster. Under College. his leadership the school weathered the difficult war years and embarked upon a new development This union of these two Pennsylvania program. Reformed Church colleges did not put an end to the continuity of educational institutions After two decades of service to his old school, in Mercersburg. At the founding of Marshall Dr. Tippetts retired in 1961. His successor, College, a Theological Seminary of the Reformed William C. Fowle, came to Mercersburg from Church and a preparatory department were the Hotchkiss School in Lakeville, Connecticut, also established. With the union of Franklin where he had taught and coached and served as and Marshall College in 1853, the preparatory director of admission and assistant headmaster. department of Marshall College became known During this headmastership, the physical as Marshall Academy and later assumed the title facilities were greatly improved, the endowment of Marshall Collegiate Institute. In 1865 these was strengthened, and Mercersburg made the institutions became Mercersburg College, under commitment to coeducation. whose charter the school continues to operate. The Theological Seminary did not move to In 1972, Walter H. Burgin Jr. ’53 was appointed Lancaster until 1871. The historic tie to the church the school’s fifth headmaster. Mr. Burgin had continues through Mercersburg’s membership been a member and chairman of the mathematics in the Council for Higher Education of the United department at Mercersburg from 1959 to 1964 Church of Christ. and was teaching at Phillips Exeter Academy in New Hampshire at the time of his appointment as On April 27, 1893, the Board of Regents of headmaster. Mercersburg College elected Dr. William Mann Irvine to lead the institution as the successor During his 25-year tenure, Mr. Burgin oversaw of Dr. George W. Aughinbaugh, who had been the total integration of female students into president from 1882 to 1893. In July of that year school life and a comprehensive reshaping of Dr. Irvine changed the operating name of the the school’s academic facilities—including institution to The Mercersburg Academy and the addition of Lenfest Hall. He also developed began his work as the founder of the present- a strong partnership in the decision-making day preparatory school. In the fall of 1893 he process between headmaster and faculty, and

THE BLUE BOOK 49 greatly strengthened the school’s financial and HISTORIC MERCERSBURG physical assets. The settlements in the area around Mercersburg Douglas Hale served as head of school from 1997 date from approximately 1730, when James Black to 2016. He came to Mercersburg after 24 years allegedly purchased all the surrounding country at Baylor School in Chattanooga, Tenn., where from Native Americans “for a gun and a string he taught, coached, and served as head of the of beads.” This area was probably one of the lower school, as associate headmaster, and as favorite hunting grounds of the Delaware, for headmaster. His tenure as Mercersburg’s sixth the surrounding mountains were favorable for head of school was marked by remarkable growth fishing and hunting. The earliest settlers of the in faculty, admission, academic programs, community were of Scotch-Irish descent, while technology, endowment, and the overall physical later immigration brought people of German plant. stock.

Under Mr. Hale’s leadership, Mercersburg A series of log forts guarded the settlements of increased the size of its faculty by nearly two- the Cumberland Valley from Indian raids. Among thirds; renovated all seven of its residence halls; these were Maxwell’s Fort near Welsh Run (six built the Masinter Outdoor Education Center, the miles southeast of Mercersburg); Steele’s Fort at Burgin Center for the Arts, and the Simon Student Church Hill (two miles east); McDowell’s Fort at Center; completely renovated Nolde Gymnasium Markes (four miles northeast); and Fort Loudon and constructed the Davenport Squash Center, (eight miles north). Prominent among the early Smoyer Tennis Center, and Regents’ Field; defenders of the community were Rev. John established formal exchanges with sister schools Steele, whose church served as a fort commanded in five different countries; and completed two by the pastor, and Dr. Hugh Mercer, who served highly successful capital campaigns. as captain of McDowell’s Fort.

Katherine M. Titus became Mercersburg Dr. Mercer, later General Hugh Mercer, gave Academy’s seventh head of school in 2016. Ms. his name to Mercersburg. Born in Scotland in Titus arrived at Mercersburg after spending 1721, he settled in Mercersburg about 1746 as a 11 years at St. George’s School in Middletown, physician and surgeon. Dr. Mercer later practiced Rhode Island, where she served in a variety of in Fredericksburg, Va., where his apothecary shop leadership roles, including dean of students, served as a surveying office for young George assistant head for student life, and associate head Washington. He was fatally wounded and died at for school life. She was also an active member of the Battle of Princeton in 1777. the math faculty. Prior to St. George’s, Ms. Titus was the director of college counseling at Pingree The Mercersburg area was the birthplace of School in South Hamilton, Mass., where she the 15th President of the United States. James taught math, served as an adviser, and coached. Buchanan was born at Stony Batter, three miles west of Mercersburg at Cove Gap, in 1791. In 1796, the family moved to a building in Mercersburg ALMA MATER now known as the James Buchanan Hotel. by Thomas A. Crichton Buchanan was a member of Congress and the High tower above us her pillars, United States Senate, became Secretary of State, In majesty crowning the hill; and later President of the United States. He died She’s faced the wild storm waves of years, in 1868. The cabin in which he is believed to have And bravely she faces them still. been born was brought to the campus in July 1953 Come, Mercersburg all, and we’ll praise her; and is now located near the gymnasium. During The world will we tell of her fame. the Civil War, Confederate troops raided the Till down the long train of the ages town on several occasions. On October 10, 1862, Shall echo old Mercersburg’s name. General J.E.B. Stuart with about 3,000 cavalry This world sweeping mightily onward, raided the village. They took back with them all Will whiten our heads with its years; horses of the vicinity and the stock of the stores. But ever we’ll greet Alma Mater Eight civilian prisoners were carried off to prison. With full hearts and loud swelling cheers. On June 30, 1863, General John D. Imboden and 1,000 troops raided the town, demanding 5,000 pounds of bacon, 20 barrels of flour, and other supplies, but withdrew hastily for Gettysburg.

50 2019-2020 On July 3 of the same year a skirmish took place at the town square, resulting in the death of one Confederate soldier and the wounding and capture of one officer. On July 5, a wagon train was captured south of Mercersburg; 100 wagons were brought to town, and the Seminary was used as a hospital for the wounded prisoners.

On June 25, 1864, at the corner of the Presbyterian Church, 28 Union cavalrymen engaged Generals McCausland and Johnston with 2,800 men in combat. Traditional accounts indicate that this far outnumbered group wounded 16 Confederate soldiers.

Irwinton Mills (several miles southwest of Mercersburg) was the home of two women who were closely associated with the presidency. Jane Irwin Harrison, the wife of William Henry Harrison Jr. (the ninth President of the United States), was born there, as was Elizabeth Irwin Harrison, mother of Benjamin Harrison (the 23rd President of the United States). The center of town, extending two blocks in either direction from the Square, has been declared by the Borough of Mercersburg and the Pennsylvania State Historical Commission to be a Historic District. This was done in 1975 as part of the 225th anniversary of the founding of the community.

In 1984 the State Historic and Museum Commission declared that the heart of the campus “has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places.” Included within this boundary are North Cottage; Keil and Rutledge Halls; Main and Swank Halls; South Cottage; Traylor Hall; the Chapel; the Nolde Gymnasium and Curran Track; the Health and Wellness Center; and Nevin House.

THE BLUE BOOK 51 COLLEGE INFORMATION

The mission of the college counseling office is SCHOOL CODES to provide a personalized college counseling Mercersburg’s College Board Code is 392-570 experience based on individual student self- Mercersburg’s SAT Test Center Code is 39418 reflection and self-knowledge so that graduates Mercersburg’s ACT Test Center Code is 201120 have appropriate and affordable options from which to choose that suit their needs and help FINANCIAL AID them continue growing academically and Students intending to apply for financial aid in personally. The office uses Maia Learning, a college must be sure that they and their parents web-based college-planning and application- file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid management platform. Information will be (FAFSA) and any other required forms by the communicated through Mercersburg email, Maia deadline set by each college or university. The Learning, Veracross, and the college counseling FAFSA is available beginning October 1 at https:// portion of the school’s website. studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa; tax information from the previous year is required to complete Students are responsible for meeting all deadlines the FAFSA. The CSS/Profile is required by some for application materials, financial aid forms, schools and is available at https://cssprofile. and registering for and sending standardized test collegeboard.org. scores through the testing agency to all colleges and universities that require them. Questions should be directed to the college counseling faculty.

PREPARATION FOR STANDARDIZED TESTS Mercersburg has forged a partnership with Marks Education to provide our 11th-grade students with quality standardized test preparation. In 10th grade, all students take the PSAT and a mock ACT. In 11th grade, all students take the PSAT. Based on both PSAT scores, mock ACT scores, and grades and courses, students are recommended to prepare for either the SAT or ACT in order to maximize their potential results and minimize the number of tests taken. All 11th graders will work one-on-one via Skype with tutors from Marks Education and will be given an individual testing plan that includes recommended dates for taking standardized tests. This personalized test prep is an expectation for all students and is provided at no additional cost. Based on coursework and grades, students may be recommended to take SAT Subject Tests as well, though not all colleges and universities require them. Students should refer to the website of the testing organization and/or consult the college counseling office to determine test dates and locations.

52 2019-2020 TELEPHONE INFORMATION

CALLS DURING OFFICE HOURS (weekdays, 8:30 Head of School 328-6112 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. for most offices) should be placed directly to the various offices. (All area Rutherford Health and Wellness 328-6136 codes are 717.) Center Information Technology 328-6232 OFFICE NUMBERS Learning Services 328-6327 Library 328-6187 Admission 328-6173 MAPS Office 328-6380 Advancement and Alumni 328-6100 Relations Outdoor Education 328-6172 Associate Head of School for 328-6315 Registrar 328-6123 School Life School Minister 328-6137 Assistant Head of School for 328-6118 School Post Office 328-6182 Student Life and Culture School Store 328-6146 Athletic Trainer 328-6145 Strategic Marketing and 328-6353 Athletics 328-6184 Communications Burgin Center for the Arts 328-6349 Student Activities 328-6134 Business 328-6110 Summer and External Programs 328-6225 Campus Safety 328-1111 Transportation 328-6213 Chapel 328-6137 Writing Center 328-6309 College Counseling 328-6156 Community Engagement 328-1484 FAX NUMBERS Computer Help Desk 328-6232 Counseling Services 328-6104 Academics 328-6224 Dean of Academics 328-1483 Admission Office 328-6319 Dean of Curricular Innovation 328-6197 Advancement and Alumni 328-6211 Dean of Experiential Programs 328-6132 Relations Dean of Students 328-6235 Athletics/Gymnasium 328-6228 Dean on Duty 860-0488 Burgin Center for the Arts 328-6375 Environmental Initiatives 328-6328 Business Office 328-6227 Food Service 328-6179 Irvine Memorial Chapel 328-6314 Facilities 328-6175 College Counseling 328-6311 Global Programs and Initiatives 328-6345 Facilities 328-6222

THE BLUE BOOK 53 Food Service 328-6343 DORMITORY NUMBERS ALL ARE AREA CODE 717 Head of School 328-6201 *DORMITORY COMMON ROOMS Rutherford Health and Wellness 328-6214 Culbertson House 328-6220 Center/Counseling Fowle Hall (1) 328-6198 Human Resources 328-6306 Fowle Hall (2) 328-6320 Information Technology 328-6367 Fowle Hall (3) 328-6321 Irvine Hall 328-6224 Keil Hall 328-6190 Outdoor Education 328-6231 Main Hall 328-6194 Registrar 328-6224 South Cottage Duty Desk 328-6193 Student Activities 328-6231 South Cottage 328-6203 Student Life 328-6231 Basement Common Room Transportation 328-6231 Swank Hall 328-6192 CALLS OUTSIDE OFFICE HOURS Tippetts Hall 328-6191 During the week (Monday through Friday) *These numbers are not for general student use. They should be if you need to get in touch with someone at used to get in touch with a faculty member on duty during the Mercersburg after the Office of Student Life evening hours. closes at 4:45 p.m. Eastern time, please call the Dean on Duty at 717-860-0488. This number FACULTY, ADVISER, AND DORM DEAN VOICE should also be used to reach the Dean on Duty MAIL AND RESIDENCES on Saturday and Sunday. If no one answers at All calls require the 10-digit telephone number – 3-digit area 717-860-0488, please leave a message. There is code + the 7-digit telephone number (i.e. 717-328-0000). Any always someone available in the Office of Campus call made to the work number not answered in three or four rings will be transferred to voicemail. Safety (717-328-1111) or at the Rutherford Health and Wellness Center (717-328-6136). Medical emergencies should be directed to the Health and Wellness Center.

CALLS TO STUDENTS Because students at the Mercersburg have busy and diversified schedules, there are many times during the day when they are not within easy reach of a telephone. We strongly suggest that parents who wish to talk regularly with their children ask them to call home at pre-arranged times. Students and parents may report problems with telephones to Pat McDaniel at 717-328- 6229 or [email protected].

EXTERIOR DORMITORY TELEPHONES Each dormitory has an exterior telephone mounted near an entrance. This telephone is used for on-campus calls using the four-digit extensions, local (717-328-xxxx), or 911 calls. Each box will have instructions and numbers listed inside the box that are specific to that dormitory.

54 2019-2020 APPENDIX I

MERCERSBURG NETWORK TERMS OF Guidelines for the use of the network fall SERVICE under the General Community Guidelines “Mercersburg Network” and/or “the network” and Information section of The Blue Book. The refers to Mercersburg’s entire computer and Standards of Conduct section states that: telephone network. This includes all campus hardware, software, and network components. Mercersburg assumes that students are trustworthy Regarding any part of the network, any attempt and will conduct themselves with good judgment at to modify, gain unauthorized access to, reverse all times and in all places. engineer, or destroy any component physically or electronically is an abuse of property and The Mercersburg Network’s purpose is to disrupts the education of other members of the serve as an educational tool for research and community. communication. Remembering that information is a form of property, the existing school rules of Ethical questions surrounding the network are conduct clearly govern the use of the Mercersburg the same as those concerning other aspects of life Network. at Mercersburg. The Blue Book provides a basis for good decision-making regarding the use of Thus: the Mercersburg Network. Due to the evolving „„ Obtaining a password or access to another nature of technology and its accessibility to person’s account or to computer security the community, users should understand that devices and/or software is stealing. specific policies will continue to be reviewed, „„ Taking advantage of a community revised, and changed as needed. Any changes will member who inadvertently leaves his or be communicated to the school community as her account open for use is no different they are adopted. than entering an unlocked room and reading a personal letter. MERCERSBURG NETWORK ACCEPTABLE USE GUIDELINES „„ The network may not be used for Mercersburg Network’s hardware and software commercial purposes. configurations are created to provide the „„ Damages associated with disconnecting or computer services required for the educational altering cabling of computer, telephone, purposes of the school. No one other than or networking equipment could be members of the Information Technology (IT) considered destruction of school property. staff may change, add, or delete hardware. Similarly, software and/or system configurations „„ The network may not be used for any must not be changed except by IT staff. If a illegal activities, including violating student would like to see a change in the network copyright laws and/or software piracy. setup for an appropriate use of the network, he or It is important to remember that citing she should contact the IT staff with the request. information found online is critically Students are expected to use personal and public important while doing research to comply computers appropriately. Students should not with copyright and plagiarism laws. Not access or display material of inappropriate citing online references can result in the content such as pornography or material of a student appearing before the Conduct violent or otherwise offensive nature. Review Committee.

Security on any computer system is a high „„ For reasons of security and personal priority, especially when the system involves accountability, a student may only use many users. If a student identifies a security his or her own account. No other person’s problem, it must be reported to the IT staff. The account may ever be used, even with student should not demonstrate the problem to permission. other users.

THE BLUE BOOK 55 „„ Students may not engage in practices MERCERSBURG SOCIAL MEDIA ACCEPTABLE that threaten the integrity of the network USE GUIDELINES (such as downloading known viruses) or knowingly consume an inappropriate At Mercersburg, we hope to build strength of percentage of the network’s resources. character that inspires generosity, authenticity, „„ Email, instant messaging, text messaging, and responsibility. We encourage students and and similar communication methods are a employees to use social networking/media form of speech synonymous to paper mail as a way to connect, communicate, share and should be as private as the recipient educational resources, and enhance their school wishes to keep it. A sender’s permission experience. With that said, we also ask students should always be obtained before and employees to understand the risks involved forwarding or copying a message. when using these tools. Students are expected to uphold the value of noble integrity and keep in „„ Using email, instant messages, text mind that in the social-media world, the lines are messages, social media sites, or any other often blurred between what is public or private, means to harass others verbally is the personal or school related. same as directly insulting someone either by speech or in a letter. Writing a message With a long tradition of egalitarianism, under the name of another person is a Mercersburg strongly believes in open dialogue form of dishonesty. and diversity of thought. The following guidelines do not seek to limit those expressions, but rather „„ Students may not disclose anyone’s to foster discourse in an atmosphere of mutual personal information (address, phone, respect. Therefore, all students should manage etc.), including that of fellow students, their online privacy carefully and ensure their faculty, and staff users. activities are consistent with all of Mercersburg’s rules and policies, including the acceptable use „„ It is not appropriate to use email for bulk policy. solicitations. EXPECTATIONS The Information Technology Department will As members of the Mercersburg community, monitor system use periodically in an effort when using social media, all students and to maintain system integrity and to ensure community members must abide by the following responsible use. The school cannot guarantee expectations of use: that messages or files that are created, „„ Share and interact in a way that will modified, transmitted, received or stored on enhance your reputation, the reputation Academy equipment are private. Misuse of of others, and the reputation of the the Mercersburg Network will be referred to school. the director of information technology and/ „„ All posts on social media, because they or the dean of students for a response. If the can easily be shared, are considered public offense is a disciplinary one, it could lead to a by Mercersburg. Neither the time of day, student’s appearance before the Conduct Review date, nor the owner of the account or the Committee and possible expulsion from school. device will prevent the school from taking

action when a post affects the safety, The acceptable use guidelines relating to the well-being, or reputation of students, Mercersburg Network also apply, in most aspects, families, or employees. to the acceptable use of any form of technological communication such as forms of social media, „„ Nothing that constitutes bullying, email, discussion groups, and others whether or harassment, discrimination, or sexting not that communication takes place through the may be posted on social-media sites. See actual Mercersburg Network. Mercersburg’s Bullying, Harassment,

Hazing, and Sexual Behavior policies.

56 2019-2020 „„ Members of the community have varying „„ Those who sign up for these sites typically degrees of comfort with their words waive all of their intellectual property and images being posted online; as rights—any content posted becomes the such, consider others’ privacy and seek property of the website/social network. permission before posting information Media companies can—and have— and photos on the Internet. used (and sold) their users’ personal information or photos without obtaining „„ Mercersburg’s name or logo (including specific permission or consent. any derivation or abbreviation thereof) should not be used in any form that suggests official endorsement by the school of an individual or group’s social- media activity (example: in the title of an account, page, or blog). Please note these restrictions apply to groups, clubs, and teams associated with the school. Mercersburg reserves the right to prohibit social-media activity of this type.

If a student’s activity on the Internet or social media violates any of Mercersburg’s rules or policies, the student will be required to cease such activity immediately. While ordinarily Mercersburg Academy will not seek out such information, the school feels it is its obligation to share with a student’s family if such information comes to Mercersburg’s attention. Depending on the circumstances, students may be subject to disciplinary action including but not limited to referral to the dean, a CRC hearing, or required withdrawal. As with all matters involving student conduct, Mercersburg reserves the right to require the withdrawal of any student whose behavior is, in the Academy’s judgment, a threat to the well-being and safety of the Mercersburg community, whether or not it violates a specifically stated rule.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION TO NOTE As members of the Mercersburg community, when using social media, all students and community members should keep in mind:

„„ Social networking sites archive all postings; all photos and texts are permanently stored on the company’s servers. Even if you deactivate your account, the data is not deleted, and can typically be reactivated any time the user chooses.

THE BLUE BOOK 57 APPENDIX II

WWEEKLYeekly S SCHEDULEchedule 2019 2019-2020–2020 a.m. Clubs, 8-11 8-11 Publications, Sunday Study Hours Study Other Activities Other 11 a.m. Chapel Cont. Breakfast Cont. Activities/Clubs Off-Campus Trips, Off-Campus 5:30-7 p.m. Buffet 5:30-7 11:30 a.m.-1: p.m. Brunch p.m. a.m.-1: 11:30 Breakfast Cont. Break Cont. Sign-In Athletics, Athletics, Mtg. Time Mtg. Mtg. Time Mtg. a.m. 9-10:30 a.m. 9-10:30 11 p.m. Dorm p.m. 11 (Faculty and/or and/or (Faculty Other Activities Other (Faculty and/or and/or (Faculty Saturday Other Activities Other Student Groups), Groups), Student Dorm Sign-In Dorm Off Campus Trips, Campus Off Student Groups), Groups), Student 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Lunchp.m. a.m.-1 11:30 Optional Activities Optional Off-Campus Trips, Off-Campus 5:30-7 p.m. Buffet 5:30-7 9-11 9-11 7:30-9 a.m. 7:30-9 PGA Sign-In Friday Breakfast 11 p.m. Dorm p.m. 11 Dorm Sign-In Dorm Activities/Clubs Optional Activities Optional 5:30-7 p.m. Buffet 5:30-7 Faculty Meeting Faculty PGA Dinner Breakfast Hours Study Thursday Faculty Meeting Faculty Clubs/Yearbook Music/Activities/ PGA Dinner Newspaper Breakfast Study Hours Study Leadership/Music/ Peer Group/Mentor Group/Mentor Peer Wednesday Faculty Meeting Faculty Student Portals. Portals. Student PGA Music/ 2:55 p.m. Breakfast Tuesday Study Hours Study It is also available on the Parent and Parent the on available also is It Activities/Clubs 5:30-7 p.m. Buffet 5:30-7 Faculty Meeting Faculty all students from the Academic Office. Academic the from students all Separate daily class schedule is sent to sent is schedule class daily Separate Dinner Breakfast Programs Activity (PGA) Activity Monday Group Mtgs. Group Study Hours Study Music/Special Faculty Meeting Faculty Performance Group Group Performance 9:30 p.m. Dorm 9:30 p.m. Dorm 6:30 Time 7-8 p.m. 7-8 4:10 p.m. 4:10 6:30 p.m. 6:30 7:30-9 a.m. 7:30-9 8-8:50 a.m. 8-9:30 p.m.

58 2019-2020 WEEKNIGHT EVENING SCHEDULE 2019-2020

(SUNDAY THROUGH THURSDAY)

7-8 p.m. Meetings, Clubs, Activities, Food Delivery, Study Hall

7:30-8 p.m. All 9th-11th graders sign in. Study atmosphere in the dorm.

8-9:30 p.m. Homework and Course Prep Study atmosphere in the dorm 9:30-10:30 p.m. Dorm meetings, activities, food delivery (until 10 p.m.), TV, visiting, studying, sleeping, showering, laundry, etc.

10 p.m. Simon Student Center and Lenfest close (Monday 9:30 p.m.) All students in their dorm, signed in. 10:45 p.m. Sleep atmosphere in the dorm Lights out for 9th and 10th graders 11 p.m. In room for 11th and 12th graders

11:30 p.m. Lights out for 11th graders

Midnight Lights out for 12th graders

THE BLUE BOOK 59 60 2019-2020 THE BLUE BOOK 61 100 Academy Drive Mercersburg, Pennsylvania 17236-1551

Telephone: 717-328-6173 Home page: mercersburg.edu Email: Accounts are registered on Mercersburg Network as last name, first initial (for example, William Irvine, [email protected])

Students use last name, first initial, graduation year (for example, [email protected])