Related Links Facilities Department Emergency Management

The safety of our students, employees, and guests is of paramount importance. Security protocols have recently been upgraded or revised. Please follow the directions of the security officers. Security procedures are:

• ID cards must be shown to Security at all times to enter the facility
• Faculty members must pre-authorize guests or visitors via a sign-in book at the front desk or by previous written notification
• Students can sign in a maximum of two visitors, but the student must stay with the guests and must not use more than one room.
• All other individuals (i.e., guests, delivery personnel, etc.) will be screened and their destinations will be contacted before access will be granted.
• From time to time the School may be required to conduct internal investigations or bag searches pertaining to security.
• Students, faculty, and staff are expected to cooperate fully and assist in these investigations, if requested to do so.
• If an unauthorized individual is observed on the School premises, students, faculty, and staff members should immediately direct the individual to the reception area and/or notify Security.
• Students enter the residence floors through a securely guarded entry to a private bank of elevators used exclusively for the residence hall. IDs must be carried and shown to security.

Identification Procedures

Students, faculty, and staff: Students, faculty, and staff must show a Manhattan School of Music photo identification card to enter the building and on request while in or around School facilities. If a pattern of students arriving at the School without ID becomes apparent, it will be brought to the attention of the dean of students, dean of academics, vice president/dean of faculty and performance, or the director of administration and human relations.

Visitor identification – expected guests: All students, faculty, and staff expecting a visitor must fill out the shaded portions of the Expected Guest Sign-In log with the following information:

• Guest name (please PRINT legibly)
• Destination name
• Phone extension
• Purpose of visit

When the visitor arrives, Security will ask if the visitor is expected. If the guest is expected, Security will ask the visitor for identification and verify that they are the expected person. Security will locate their name in the log and ask for the visitor’s signature and time of arrival on the corresponding line.

Security will ask the visitor to complete a visitor pass that has been stamped with the current date, indicating the guest’s name and destination. This pass must be worn in a visible place at all times. Security will direct the visitor to his/her destination and remind the guest to sign out upon departure and return the visitor badge.

Visitor identification – unexpected guests: When the visitor arrives, security will ask if the visitor is expected. If the guest is unexpected, Security will request the visitor to fill out the Unexpected Guest sign-in log with the following information:

• Guest name (please PRINT legibly)
• Guest signature
• Destination name
• Phone extension, if known
• Purpose of visit
• Time of arrival

Security will call the extension of the person the visitor wishes to see and inform them that they have a guest. Security will ask the visitor to complete a visitor pass that has been stamped with the current date, indicating the guest’s name and destination. This pass must be worn in a visible place at all times. The student, faculty, or staff member will meet his/her visitor at the Security desk and escort them into the building. Security will remind the guest to sign out upon departure and return the visitor badge

Guests who have arrived to pick up concert tickets will not have to be met at Security and will be directed to the box office.

Delivery personnel identification: All delivery people must be met at the Security desk. At no time will a delivery person be allowed past the Security desk unescorted. All delivery people who proceed past Security must be constantly accompanied, including out of the building.

Personal Safety Recommendations

Vehicles: Be aware of any suspicious automobiles or trucks parked near the School.

Entrances/Exits: Please pay special attention to any unusual activity by individuals around entrances and exits, particularly those that are not commonly used.

Bag searches: Security guards have the authority, at their discretion, to search any bag (i.e., backpacks, handbags, instrument cases) that is brought into the School. Please give them your full cooperation.

Suspicious parcels: Although it is extremely unlikely, it is possible that harmful biological or chemical substances may be delivered in the mail or by messenger. The U.S. Postal Service has compiled a list of typical characteristics of a suspicious parcel that might trigger suspicion, as well as procedures for dealing with it.

Suspicious parcels include those that:

• Are unexpected or from someone unfamiliar to you
• Are addressed to someone no longer with your organization or are otherwise outdated
• Have no return address, or have one that can’t be verified as legitimate
• Are of unusual weight, given their size, or are lopsided or oddly shaped
• Are marked with restrictive endorsements, such as “Personal” or Confidential”
• Have protruding wires, strange odors, or stains
• Show a city or state in the postmark that doesn’t match the return address

If you receive a suspicious parcel in the mail:

• Do not try to open the parcel
• Isolate the parcel
• Evacuate the immediate area
• Call a postal inspector to report that you’ve received a parcel in the mail that may contain biological or chemical substance

If you encounter suspicious vehicles, individuals, or parcels, you should immediately call the School security desk at ext. 4444 or residence hall security at ext. 4700. If you are unable to contact the security desk, call 911. The Postal Inspection Service office for this area can be reached at 212-330-3844 or fax number 212-330-2720.

Security Around the Campus

Manhattan School of Music is located within the 26th Precinct of the New York Police Department (212-678-1311). There are many patrol officers in the area. The neighborhood is also patrolled by the Morningside Area Alliance (212-222-7121), a community agency partially funded by the various institutions in Morningside Heights. The efforts by the local police precinct and the Alliance are greatly complemented by the work of all the institutional security provided (Columbia University, Barnard College, St. Luke’s Hospital, etc.). However, no matter how good the work of the area security forces, each individual must pay close attention in order to remain secure. Here are some tips:

In the streets:

1. Attempt to travel in groups of at least two during dark hours.
2. Have your keys in your hand.
3. Know the location of public telephones.
4. Be aware of doormen and guards in the neighborhood; they may help.
5. Remain alert while walking and observe your surroundings.
6. If your suspicions are aroused, do any of the following:
7. Call the police (911) on a public telephone. This does not require a coin.
8. If no phone is available, enter a store or ring the bell of a residence for assistance.
9. Be aware of the confidence games that offer you sums of money for little effort on your part. You get nothing for nothing.
10. Do not carry large sums of money, conspicuous jewelry, or other valuables.
11. Do not dangle a purse at arm’s length. Hold it close to your chest area. Wear shoulder bags crosswise over your chest – not just on one shoulder. Do not carry valuables in accessible parts of backpacks.
12. If you hear cries for help, attempt to identify the source and call 911. You could help someone in trouble.
13. If you believe you are being followed or you feel threatened in any manner, seek shelter in a commercial business if possible. Columbia University Public Safety sponsors Operation Safe Haven, a program that identifies establishments that will provide safety to members of the community. A participating establishment is identified by a red lion decal in the window.

In the classroom and dining hall:

1. Never leave handbags or briefcases unattended.
2. When taking a break, secure your valuables or take them with you.

In your apartment, room, or residence:

1. Never leave your doors unlocked, even for one minute.
2. Do not lend your keys to anyone.
3. When moving in and out, do not leave your vehicle unattended with possessions exposed.
4. Record serial numbers of all equipment and instruments — stereos, TVs, typewriters, etc. — and keep in a safe place for future reference in the event of loss.
5. It is recommended that you consider obtaining renter’s insurance.

If you are a crime victim:

1. Report the crime to the police by calling 911.
2. Attempt to remain calm while the police respond.
3. If you are injured, request medial attention.
4. Obtain the hospital report from the hospital and complaint number from the police.
5. To replace important ID cards:
   · Manhattan School of Music ID card: 917-749-4464
   · Social Security Card: 800-234-5722
6. For major credit cards, contact the individual department store or credit card company.
   

Campus Annual Security Report

The Campus Annual Security Report is prepared each year to provide information about how Manhattan School of Music promotes a safe environment. Preventative plans and policies to encourage a safe environment and statistics about crime occurring at Manhattan School of Music are available by clicking here.