Studio Use Policy

 

Studio use is a privilege and, in cases of misconduct or continuing annoyance to others, students can have studio privileges revoked by the Architectural Department or the university. Failure to adhere to any of these policies may result in a loss of studio access outside of class time, the ability to fully participate in coursework, and/or university level (or higher) disciplinary measures.
Students are responsible for all costs incurred for damages, painting and/or repair. Misuse or disregard for the studio space will result in loss of studio privileges.
 
Architectural students at HU are to understand and follow the responsibilities outlined in the Architectural Student Handbook. These roles are:

 

Sight and Sound
- Mobile phones should be silenced at all times. Phone calls should be taken outside of the studio. Students using a mobile phone in class will be dismissed for the day.
- The use of the internet as a social or entertainment medium is not permitted during class time. Online research and the use of computers and software pertaining to coursework is expected.
- At no time should a broadcast, movie, or video be displayed on a computer screen or projected in the studio. Visual distraction is both an academic and safety issue.At no time should music or recorded or broadcast audio be heard in studio outside of class work led by an instructor. Sounds will be listened to via headphones only or at respectable volumes after business hours if agreeable to all students.
- The use of video cameras is prohibited except with prior permission from the Department head. Prior notification to students should be made, and signs must be posted warning of their use.
- Natural light is a shared resource and windows must remain clear of personal objects.

 

Personal Behavior
- Respect that studio is a shared working environment.
- Err on the side of peace and quiet.
- In studio, the person being annoyed is right. If, for any reason, the activities of another student  are hindering your ability to work, then you are to ask them to cease that activity immediately. Regardless of circumstances, anyone failing to immediately cease an activity that a colleague deems disruptive may have studio privileges revoked.
- Students may not display images or other material with explicit or sexual content that may be considered a form of harassment as defined in the HU policies 

 

Studio Environment
- It is the student’s responsibility to see that shared and personal materials are removed (pinned-down, thrown away, recycled, put back on desks, etc.) from shared spaces at the end of each class period, and that no materials are left in public corridors, lobbies, stairs, or other paths of egress.
- Shared spaces within the studio, including pinup areas, work desks, areas for tools (hot wire, drill press, etc.), are to be maintained by both students and faculty. Students are responsible to clear work from these areas and maintain them for others to use. Faculty are responsible for coordinating the shared use of common pinup areas, partitions, etc., and to direct students to maintain these spaces. 
- Food is not allowed inside all design and open studios
- Drinks should never be set on or above the level of the desks. Keep all bottles and cups below your work and your computer.
- Smoking is not allowed inside all HU Buildings. Smoking within 15 feet of any building entrance is strictly prohibited, and proper disposal of cigarette butts is mandatory.
- Students, faculty and staff will make all efforts to make the building safe and secure for the protection of the learning community.
 - All building doors and windows should be locked and not propped open after hours.
- No studio should be left open and unlocked when unattended.
- After hours visitors are discouraged. Any visitor such as a family member or non-architectural student who is given access to the building is the responsibility of his/her host. A student granting access to a visitor will take full responsibility for any actions or damages such guest(s) may perform, and in such instance disciplinary action will be taken against the student who granted entry.
- Do not leave personal belongings including laptops unattended or visible.
- Do not confront strangers or anyone engaging in suspicious behavior.
- Call University Security immediately for assistance if any safety concerns arise or if suspicious behavior of any kind is occurring.

 

Materials 
- Studio must be kept healthy and safe.
- No aerosol sprays (spray paint, fixative, etc.) of any kind are allowed. Work found to have employed an aerosol spray in its execution will be disposed of outside the building and assigned a failing grade.
- No hand-held torches, resins, toxic or off-gassing materials or open flames are allowed in all studios. 

 

Studio Furniture and Tools
- Students, faculty and staff will respect the physical place occupied by the Department including its contents and the belongings of others.
- No defacing in or around the Architectural Department including but not limited to spray-painting, writing or drawing on walls, ceilings and floors and furniture. Spray painting must occur outside on protected surfaces so no University property is damaged, which includes but is not limited to sidewalks, benches, tables or any building surface.
- No cutting is allowed on any unprotected surfaces including desks, tables and floors.
- Students will take full responsibility for the maintenance of their desk, locker, stool or chair, and computer if provided, for the entire semester. Any damage to the Architectural Department or its property is subject to be replaced or repaired at the expense of the party or parties involved.
- Students will not use the materials and equipment of others without their expressed consent.
- Students and faculty will not deface, destroy or harm in any way the work of other students or faculty.
- Shared studio furniture and tools include partitions, common work desks, hot wire cutters, wood working tools (drill press), and more. These shared areas and equipment should be kept clear and maintained for others to use. Report any damages to the faculty.
- Students working in studio will acquire and use an array of tools and materials. These should be kept secure. The Department is not responsible for stolen or missing student property. Lock or secure personal items as needed, and label your items and materials.

 

 Building Access
- The building is open weekdays between 8am-4pm. Hours to studio extension spaces may vary based on student worker availability; hours will be posted at the start of each semester. It is difficult to fully secure the Architectural Building and studio at all times from those that do not belong. The best practice for students and faculty is to maintain keen observation and awareness of your surroundings when you are in the building and studio, and to verbally address (kindly yet directly) visitors or strangers new to the space.
- Recently, the ongoing discussions have focused on access to the Open Studio. In response to student requests for classrooms access, a new “green card” policy will be instituted for all architectural students to enter for classrooms building.

 

 End of Semester Responsibilities
- Faculty are to notify students of the end of semester deadlines, including final review dates, move -out, and studio clean-up dates. Personal items not removed from studio by the move-out date will be discarded.
- Over the break, students may keep items locked in a mobile cart. Place your name on top of your cart Mobile carts must be emptied over the summer break; padlocks left on carts will be cut off and items disposed of.
- Your studio instructor may collect student work at the end of the semester for any number of reasons, including accreditation review. Instructors are to notify students as soon as possible following the final review if their work is to be collected, and the procedure for turning it in. Due to space limits, not all work will be collected or saved; students should verify if/when it is permissible to bring work home.
- All Architectural students require to archiving their courses’ work electronically as per the approved format before the end of the semester.

 

Studio Extension Space Polices
- Studio culture policy applies to all spaces and facilities within the Architectural Department environment.
- Studio extension spaces refer to all Department facilities and spaces: Design studios, workshops, fabrication lab, documentation and equipment rooms, review and exhibition spaces, etc.
- Extension spaces likely maintain additional rules and policies, including safety policies that apply alongside this studio culture policy. Students and faculty are required to understand and maintain all of the rules and policies of the Department extension spaces.
- Extension spaces often include specialized tools and equipment that require training and safety precautions for their proper use. These include the woodshop and fabrication lab. A student “shop attendant” is required to be on duty when students are operating these tools. Shop attendants have the authority to maintain safety and order in these spaces, can ask that students stop or postpone work, and can suggest disciplinary action to the Department Chair.

 

Students, faculty and staff will report any violation of the studio Culture Policy that they witness. Violation of the Studio Culture Policy is subject to serious disciplinary action including but not limited to suspension or expulsion. When a violation cannot be resolved informally or when such policies stated above are offended repeatedly, formal measures will be taken. As a teaching institution, student success and satisfaction are the University’s first priorities. To ensure that student needs are efficiently addressed, all incoming freshmen are assigned a faculty advisor that counsels them through graduation. In addition to assisting students with course selection, the advisor acts as a mentor for his/her advisees.