Guidelines and Policies

Campus safety is of paramount importance to Teachers College, herein referred to as “the College”. The primary goal of the College is to ensure the safety of all students, faculty, staff, visitors, and those performing work on College property.  To that end, those with approved agreements/contracts with the College for filming, herein referred to as “Film Crews” on or near the College, must take full responsibility for establishing safe working practices, fully complying with all of the College’s access, security, and environmental health & safety requirements, including meeting all requirements set forth by NYC FDNY, DOB, DOE, DOT & OSHA, as well as any other applicable safety requirements.  Film crews are responsible for policing their employees as well as any sub-contractors or vendors to ensure compliance.  

Film Crews and their staff are responsible for complying with all safety procedures, taking all necessary precautions, providing and requiring the proper use of adequate and safe equipment and safety devices, correcting any unsafe conditions, reporting any incidents or accidents to the TC Office of Public Safety, and enforcing all safety rules.  The College expressly does not assume any duty to supervise or oversee any Film Crews or their work, however, the College would require the Film Crew to hire and appoint a Safety Officer to be on-site at all times.  The purpose of the Film Crew’s Safety Officer is to inspect for or correct any unsafe condition, to report any incidents or accidents,  to enforce safety rules, and to coordinate with TC Public Safety and Environmental Health & Safety as needed.  The College entirely relies on the Film Crew’s Safety Officer to perform these functions and only assumes these duties and responsibilities when they are expressly and specifically set forth and agreed upon in writing. 

Film Crew Representative – The Teachers College Employee responsible for the administration of a particular project.  

 Film Crew Business Representative – Any individual or company who has entered into an agreement or contract with the College to film on or near the campus for a specific project, as well as any subcontractors or their employees.  

 Film Crew Staff / Set Members – Any persons who are working at the College as employees or agents on behalf of a Film Crew, including without limitation, principals, supervisors, forepersons, laborers, helpers, or any other staff members or workers.  

 Film Crew Site Manager(s) – The person or persons responsible for supervising and overseeing the operations of a Film Crew. This person shall be the primary point of contact with the College.

Safety Officer - The hired by the Film Crew is responsible for ensuring compliance, correcting any unsafe conditions, reporting any incidents or accidents, enforcing safety rules, and coordinating with TC Public Safety and Environmental Health & Safety as needed. occupational health and safety (OHS) guidelines in a workplace. They play a crucial role in promoting a safe working environment by advising on safety measures, conducting risk assessments, and enforcing preventative measures.

The Film Crew Site Manager and staff members are responsible for compliance with all applicable Federal, State, and City rules and regulations. 

 During the course of the agreement/contract, the Film Crew Site Manager is responsible for ensuring that all necessary information is conveyed to the College via the College’s designated representative(s).   

 The Contractor Supervisor is responsible for informing the College Contract Representative prior to performing any work at the College that may present unique hazards. 

 Only trained and authorized Film Crew, actors, logistics, and productions staff or authorized vendors are permitted to be on site. NO SPOUSES, VISITORS, OR CHILDREN ARE ALLOWED. All Film Crew staff members and authorized vendors must be trained and authorized by the Contractor prior to working at the College. 

 Equipment owned by the College cannot be operated or used by the Film Crew or their vendors without express written permission from the College’s Agreement/Contract Representative. 

 Film Crews and their vendors must adhere to all posted warnings and instructions while on College property.   

Blocking eyewash/safety showers, elevators, fire extinguishers, exit access ways, electrical service panels, aisle ways, or other emergency equipment is expressly prohibited at all times. 

 New York State motor vehicle and New York City traffic laws apply on College premises 

 Although the College does not assume any duty to conduct formal safety orientation training, such training may be offered by the College as may be deemed beneficial for any project. If such training is offered, the Film Crew and their vendors shall attend, as deemed necessary. 

 The Contractor and all Contractor Staff Members will adhere to the General Regulations set forth in the Appendix hereto.

Film Crew Site Manager(s) shall make Film Crew and vendor staff members aware of the following emergency procedures for operating at the College: 

All Film Crews and their vendors are responsible for attending and participating in on-site walk-thru and safety briefing prior to the start of any filming or production with the College. As needed,  the College is able to require additional on-site walk-thru and safety briefings 

To report an emergency: 

 Dial extension 3333 or from a cell phone dial (212) 678-3333, or 911 for an emergency. (Please contact Public Safety and 911 for an emergency requiring police, fire, or EMS.) 

• Give your name and your company name. 
• Give the exact location of the emergency. 
• Give the nature of the emergency: fire, chemical spill, etc. 

Remain on the telephone until the contact has the opportunity to ask any questions that may be required. 

Periodically, institution-wide or partial emergency alarm testing will be conducted with notice given prior to each test.  The on-site Film Crew Site Manager(s) should use this opportunity to review with the Film Crew Staff Members and their vendors the proper steps they should perform upon notification of an emergency situation:   

 Shut down all hot work, engines, and equipment. 

Calmly exit the site from the nearest exit and assemble at the predetermined assembly area. 

Perform a head count of personnel.  Remain in the assembly area and wait for Public Safety to provide further details. 

All work permits are canceled when an alarm is activated and all on-site are expected to follow the College’s emergency procedures.

All chemical and chemical waste containers must be properly labeled and stored in designated areas. Only Film Crew staff or their vendors who have been properly trained in Hazardous Waste Management are permitted to work with and around hazardous waste.  Do not drain equipment, pour, bury, or dispose of any chemical waste including oil, lubricant, solvent, fuel, or any waste materials on Teachers College premises.  All waste materials must be placed in an appropriate container and labeled.  The Film Crew Site Manager(s) is responsible for the appropriate disposal of all waste materials unless other arrangements have been made with the College.

Film Crew Site Managers and Staff shall at all times comply with the College’s rules and regulations applicable to the service, equipment, wiring, and electricity requirements at the College. Film Crew Site Managers and Staff shall at all times ensure the use of electricity will not exceed the capacity of the existing feeders to the College or wiring installations therein, and shall not use any electrical equipment which, in The College’s sole judgment will cause or create an overload, ensure that available power panels for use are not overloaded as designated by the panels' maximum Amperage, and ensure all connections, if any, are installed by a licensed electrician, and that all connections are safe and in accordance with NFPA NEC and New York State, New York City, and applicable local regulations as deemed necessary by the DOB and FDNY. The College will have no responsibility or liability for interruption or curtailment, in the supply or character of the heating, ventilating, and air conditioning services, electrical service, elevator service, plumbing, or other mechanical systems furnished.

 No on-site storage is permitted for any chemicals, fuels, and other bulk materials. All loading, and unloading of chemicals, fuels, and other bulk materials must be done in a curbed or diked area.  There shall be no open burning of any materials.  Contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety with any questions or for additional guidance. 

Do not allow any oils, grease, fuels, paints, solvents, chemicals, or contaminated wastewater to be discharged into drains or onto the ground.  Notify the Environmental Health and Safety immediately if a spill of chemicals or other materials occurs. 

No Tenting of any kind is permitted without preapproval of the College. Any tented structures larger than 20 x 20 must be permitted by the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB), as any structure larger will be designated as a Temporary Place of Assembly (TPA) and require the necessary permitting. 

 Charcoal grills are permitted, however, NO Propane or Gas grills and heating lamps are permitted.  A charcoal grill permit is required and may be obtained from the Office of Environmental Health & Safety (EHS).

General Access/Security Issues:

 ALL Film Crew Site Managers and Staff must have a pre approved ID or credential.  IDs/credentials must be clearly displayed at all times while on campus On a case-by-case basis, Film Crew Site Managers may be issued a Teachers College access card.   

Only authorized Film Crew Site Managers and Staff Members are permitted campus access. A complete list of all staff needing campus access shall be provided to Public Safety no later than 48 hours in advance of accessing campus. Updated staffing lists should be provided to Public Safety, as needed. 

No equipment, parts, materials, supplies, or tools may be brought through the Zankel main entrance.  All equipment, parts, materials, supplies, and tools must be brought through the loading dock located at 502 West 121st Street. Other areas of entry may be agreed upon only by the Office of Public Safety, in coordination with Facilities Management for certain circumstances, as deemed appropriate.

Firearms and ammunition are not allowed on the Teachers College campus.

The consumption or service of alcohol is not permitted at Teachers College.

Improper conduct such as “horseplay”, gambling, practical jokes, lewd, lascivious, inappropriate or suggestive language, etc. on Teachers College premises is also forbidden.  

Unauthorized cameras and video equipment are not allowed on-site without prior written permission from the Film Crew Representative. 

All Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Film Crew staff must follow the direction of Public Safety officers and EHS staff at all times.   

 Setting up access to Campus for Film Crew Site Manager(s): 

1. Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff may enter the College through the Zankel Hall (entrance without tools or equipment).  Film Crew Site Managers are required to sign in prior to being permitted to enter the filming location. All Film Crew Site Managers will go directly from the Zankel Hall entrance to the agreed upon location to meet the Teachers College Film Crew representative.  The College’s Film Crew representative will escort the Film Crew Stie Manager(s) to obtain a Teachers College Contractor Access Badge.  The badge shall specify the duration the Film Crew Manager(s) are allowed to work at the specified filming location without an escort or appropriate security clearance under their current safety rules and regulations. To obtain a badge the Film Crew Manager(s) must present a Government-issued photo ID.  

 Setting up access for Film Crew Staff Members: 

A list of all Film Crew Staff members will be provided by the Film Crew Site Manager(s) to the Teachers College Film Crew Representative.  Only those who appear on the list will be provided access to the Campus.   

Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff Members are required to sign in and receive a campus access pass prior to being permitted to enter the College or filming location.  On the first day of filming or working on location all Film Crew Site Managers & Staff members will be required to enter the main doors of the College, via Zankel Hall. At this time they will need to present a Government-issued photo ID, be signed in, verified as authorized to be on-site by the Public Safety Officer, confirming the individual seeking access is on the access list provided in advance by the Film Crew Site Manager(s) to receive a visitor pass. 

 Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members shall be required to have a company or government-issued photo ID on their person anytime they are on campus the ID will be required at sign-in.  Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members are required to have a visible ID lanyard, wristband, or company logo on their outermost garment. The TC visitor pass must be displayed at all times. (Actors are excluded from this requirement while filming) 

 Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members are not permitted to remove any property of Teachers College from the premises. 

 Each Film Crew Manager and Staff Members who bring items onto campus or film site(s) including: vehicles, tools, toolboxes, briefcases, material and storage containers, etc.) may be subject to inspection by Teachers College Public Safety, as needed, when exiting the College campus.  

 All non-production cameras are prohibited without prior written authorization. 

Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members are restricted to the specific areas they are working in unless authorized to enter other areas. 

No hard keys or key card access shall be provided to Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members without pre-approval from the Office of Public Safety. Key card access for Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members shall comply with key card access protocols for vendors/contractors (expiration dates/timelines) established by the Director of the TC ID Unit. 

For film productions lasting more than one day in duration, Film Crew Site Manager(s) must provide the Office of Public Safety with a contact person and telephone number reachable 24/7.  Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members must follow the direction of the Office of Public Safety. 

No parking is permitted in the lower courtyard or a the 528 building*; however, the drop-off and pick-up of materials and supplies can be accommodated upon request. Arrangements to access the lower courtyard or the driveway to the 528 building should be made in advance with Public Safety. Please note the driveway tunnel to access the Lower Courtyard has a maximum vehicle height of 8 foot 6 inches.  Vendors with vehicles larger than 8 foot 6 inches are required to park on West 120th Street to off-load curbside and walk items into the Lower Courtyard.

This list is not intended to cover every situation.  A full list of rules and regulations is included in the Agreement/Contract between the Film Crew Business Representative and the College.  It does provide a guideline for Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members who work at the College.  It must be remembered, always, that you are “guests” in the College and must adhere to College policies.  Teachers College Public Safety can, and will, ask individuals to leave the College if the rules contained herein are not complied with.  These rules may be amended at the reasonable discretion of the College. 

There is no provision for parking any Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members’s vehicles in any College areas.  They will be permitted on campus only for the purpose of making deliveries or removing material and MUST leave the area as soon as this task is completed. 

Smoking is prohibited in the College including roofs, basements, and work areas. 

Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members may not use College rubbish/trash/recycle containers, and they must supply their containers for this purpose. The trash and litter from productions, meals, etc., must be cleaned up, disposed of, and taken away by the Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members and the end of each day.

No alcoholic beverage, including beer and wine, may be brought into the College.  Drinking alcoholic beverages is PROHIBITED on College premises. 

The Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members, vendors, or, other employees shall not use any College toilets or washrooms other than those that have been specifically designated for their use. These facilities must be maintained properly by the Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members, any cost incurred by the College will be charged to the Contractor. 

Production equipment and materials delivered to the College must be received by a Film Crew Staff member.  College personnel will not accept any delivery for any reason.   

No gasoline-engine-powered equipment shall be brought onto the premises without the approval of the Film Crew Representative and Teachers College EHS. 

No burning, welding, or gas-fired equipment shall be used without the proper fire watch continually available at the scene of the work.  Only personnel with valid licenses or certifications shall be allowed to operate such equipment.  The College must be notified of any and all burning or welding 72 hours in advance and production teams must obtain a "Hot Work Permit" from the Facilities Office.

Film Crew Site Managers and Staff members will not make or cause to be made any alterations, installations, improvements, additions, or other physical changes, or make any electrical installations, alterations, additions, or changes to the electrical equipment or appliances without the prior approval of the College. Additionally, Film Crew Site Managers and Staff members shall not use screws, nails, tacks, hooks, pins, tape, or other adhesives to affix decorations or other items to the facilities without the prior approval of the College. 

The Film Crew Business Representative and Film Crew Site Manager(s) are totally responsible for the behavior of their employees and MUST make sure they abide by all the College’s rules and regulations. 

The College has the right to permanently evict from the campus any of the Film Crew Site Manager(s) and Staff members without prior notification for failure to comply with the items listed in this document.