Program Regulations and Expectations

sTUDENT HANDBOOK

DOWNLOAD HANDBOOK HERE

Leave of ABSENCE

Arkansas Governor’s School is state funded, highly competitive, and invested in fostering a very strong sense of community among its participants. Therefore, it is inappropriate for students who have accepted a place at AGS to take temporary leaves from the program. Time away from the program has an detrimental effect on student participation, both for the individual and for the Governor’s School community at large. We know that gifted and talented students will have many quality opportunities during the summer. Although we hope that students invited to attend AGS will accept our invitation to attend for the full four weeks, we understand that other choices are available and difficult decisions must be made. For students desiring to take advantage of other opportunities that coincide with AGS, students should decline the AGS invitation which will allow another student to be invited to benefit from the entire program.

Students are expected to participate in all classes and activities. Failure to participate will result in removal from the program. Temporary leaves will be granted for certain situations and only these situations. Requests for special leaves of absence, except in the case of emergencies, must be made in writing at least one (1) week in advance and include explicit justification for the leave. Documentation may be requested to verify listed justification. A leave may be granted for the following situations:

personal or family emergencies
medical reasons
weddings of immediate family members

Exceptions:

Students are allowed to be checked out by an authorized person and leave campus on Sundays from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm.
In addition, students are allowed to be checked out by an authorized person and leave campus for two 24-hour periods during the session. This is intended to give students a chance to participate in important senior year activities such as senior pictures, etc.

Please note:

Requests for a leave of absence or a 24-hour leave must be submitted by email to ags@atu.edu at least one week in advance. It is not necessary to request permission to leave campus on Sundays (8 am to 6 pm).
The student cannot miss more than 2 class days. (Leaves granted for medical reasons may not exceed a total of five (5) class days.).
Online instruction is not offered during camp.
The leave should not be during the first 3 days or the last 3 days of the program.
While taking the ACT is an important activity, there are many opportunities to take it throughout the year. There is only one opportunity to attend AGS. We strongly recommend that students do not miss AGS activities to take the ACT in July.
Athletic practices and competitions, dance/cheerleading practices and auditions, and band practices are examples that do not qualify for a leave of absence but would qualify for a 24-hour leave.

Items to Bring

Note: You do not have to bring all of this- but these are items that AGS does not provide. All items (including all articles of clothing) should be marked with the owner’s name.

Clothing items such as sweaters, swimsuit, pajamas, robe/slippers
Blanket, and/or bedspread and sheets (TWIN XL for a dorm mattress)
Pillows and pillow cases
Laundry bag and laundry detergent
Iron
Hangers
Electric Fan
Towels and washcloths
Toiletries
Umbrella
Alarm Clock
Radio
Cell phone
Camera
Extension Cords
Backpack
Notebooks, pens/pencils and other desk supplies
Instrumental Music students – Musical Instruments and Associated Equipment (no amplifiers)
Choral Music and Instrumental Music students – nice clothes for final performance
Drama students – black pants, black shirt, black gloves
Desk Lamp (no halogen or quartz)
Prescription Medication (only if issued in student’s name)
Computers, iPads, Kindles, and other Internet Devices (ATU is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged devices. Bring at your own risk.)
Handheld Video Gaming Devices (ATU is not responsible for lost, stolen or damaged devices. Bring at your own risk.)

More on residence halls and packing here.

rECREATION facilities

BAZTECH - Student food court and Gathering place

Note: The cost of any food purchased in the Food Court is the responsibility of the student and is not covered by AGS. All student meals are provided for free in the Chambers Cafeteria.

BazTech Hours: Sunday - Saturday, 8:30 am - 9:00 pm (food court may have different hours)

TECHFIT workout facility

Hours: 3:30 pm - 6:30 pm

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.

Closed on Wednesday and Weekends due to conflicts. Equipment: https://www.atu.edu/techfit/facilities.php

M-STREET HALL BASKETBALL COURT AND SOCCER FIELD

Hours: Monday - Friday, 3:00-9:00 pm, Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and 3:00-9:00 pm, Sunday 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

HAMMOCK GROVE, SAND VOLLEYBALL COURT, AND pICKLEBALL COURT