Enforcement Policies

The Public Safety Department is bound by Massachusetts statutes to enforce the laws of the Commonwealth. Depending upon the severity of the crime, offenders may be arrested or may be summoned into court. Infractions and violations of College rules may also be referred to the appropriate College authority for administrative action.

Sexual Assault

The Public Safety Department provides ongoing programs by specially trained officers to prevent rape, acquaintance rape, and other forcible and non-forcible sex offenses. These programs include orientation, workshops, distribution of literature, etc. If a sex offense occurs, evidence of the crime should be preserved to aid in any subsequent court prosecution. The incident should be instantly reported to the Public Safety Department or, if a victim chooses, our officers will assist the student in notifying the Boston Police Department. MassArt also provides both on and off campus counseling services for victims of sex offenses and the resources of the Health Services Department are available as well.

Whenever reasonably possible, the college will change the victim's academic and living situation, if requested by the student, after an alleged sex offense. For example, a student may have his/her residence hall assignment changed.

During any campus disciplinary proceedings resulting from sex offenses, both the accuser and the accused shall have the same opportunity to have others present during the proceedings, and both parties will be informed of the results of the hearing. Sanctions for such offenses may include administrative action up to, and including, dismissal from MassArt.

Larceny

This is one of the most common campus crimes. Larceny in excess of more than $250 is a felony in Massachusetts and offenders will be prosecuted.

Weapons

State law clearly prohibits possession of firearms and other dangerous weapons on state college property by anyone other than law enforcement personnel. This statute is rigorously enforced.

Drugs and Alcohol

Possession, manufacture, trafficking and distribution of illicit and controlled substances is a violation of State and Federal law. The Public Safety Department enforces drug violations, as well as violations of the alcohol laws. When circumstances warrant, students will be referred to the Counseling Office for assistance.

Hate Crimes

Crimes motivated by race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity have no place on our campus. Employees and students who commit such crimes will be punished through the College disciplinary process and/or judicial proceedings.

Graffiti

Graffiti is vandalism. Its removal from buildings causes great expense to the College and also to the students by way of increased tuition and fees. Enforcement action will be taken under the laws concerning destruction of property.

Studio Safety

Toxic materials, toxic vapors and gases, and dangerous machinery are among the potential health hazards encountered by the studio artist. Students and faculty are urged to (1) familiarize themselves with possible health hazards in the areas in which they are working and (2) utilize all available techniques and equipment to minimize hazards. In some areas the use of respirators or safety goggles is a requirement at the College. Pregnant women, persons with respiratory problems, and persons placed under physical restrictions by their physician must make their condition known to the instructor as soon as the course begins. Instructors with students with the above named conditions must discuss each case with the Director of Health Services. Occupational hazards technology is rapidly growing and changing. Students and faculty with information, ideas, and concerns are urged to contact the College's Environmental Health and Safety Officer in the Tower Building: Call x 7939

Security Alert Notification

When a serious crime occurs on or near MassArt's property, a special crime alert bulletin is posted and distributed throughout the campus. The security alert program is designed to aid MassArt community members in avoiding becoming victims of crime.

Studio access

In order to minimize theft and vandalism to students' property, access to studios is limited to those who have proper authorization. Public Safety Officers will not allow access for students or others who are not on an approved access list. Most studios are accessed by keys that are located either at the building security desk or at the Public Safety Department. Keys will be issued only in exchange for a valid student I.D. card and must be returned when you leave the studio. Violations of the studio access policy may result in administrative action against the student involved.

Residence Hall Safety

Students who live and work in our residence hall are on campus 24 hours a day, and have a greater exposure to potential safety hazards than MassArt students who commute. For this reason, the security of the residence hall is of particular concern to the Public Safety Department . An officer is assigned at all times, and access is closely controlled.

Guests of students, including family members, must be signed in at the security desk and must surrender a valid I.D. to the officer. Once admitted, the host must accompany his/her guest at all times. Overnight guests must conform to the rules established by the Director of Housing and Residence Life.

Smith Hall has an alarm and closed circuit TV system for security. Students who tamper with this equipment or open an alarmed door without authorization (e.g., the door to the roof) will be subject to disciplinary action.

Suzanne's Law

MassArt Campus Police Department complies with Public Law 108-21, Title II, Section 204, which is more commonly known as Suzanne’s Law. This law amends Section 370(a) of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (42U.S.C. 5779(a), so that there is no waiting period before a law enforcement agency initiates an investigation of a missing person under the age of 21 and reports the missing person to the National Crime Information Center of the Department of Justice.

“Suzanne’s Law was enacted by the Federal government in 2003 as part of the “Amber Alert” bill. “Suzanne’s Law is named after Suzanne Lyall, a State University of New York at Albany student who has been missing since 1998. Previously, police were only mandated to report missing persons under the age of 18.