Section 3
Running Start Program: Questions & Answers

Student Activities (A)

AQ-1: May Running Start students participate in college or university campus activities, such as student government, organizations, and clubs?

Ans: Yes. Running start students may participate in any activities on the college/university campus, except intercollegiate sports. Running Start students may also participate in any high school activities, but may not compete in the same activity at both the high school and college level. Example: a debate student may not participate in high school and college debate teams. The students must choose one level for competition.

AQ-2: Can a school district or high school preclude a student from being eligible to be senior class valedictorian or senior class salutatorian if the student enrolls in one or more classes via Running Start?

Ans: Such preclusion could violate equal protection principles. A 12th grade Running Start student and a 12th grade regular high school student are each entitled to participate equally in a high school graduation ceremony. A school should have criteria, other than mere status as a Running Start student, for these honors. For example, if the sole criterion for being selected were a high grade point average (GPA), a Running Start student with a high GPA would be just as eligible as a non-Running Start student with a high GPA. On the other hand, if the eligibility threshold is a high GAP, coupled with a certain level of participation in class or school activities (e.g., serving as class officer or other leadership activity), it is possible that a Running Start student would have a more difficult time qualifying.