The Department of Student Affairs has you covered from beginning (Orientation) to end (Graduation), morning, noon, and night (Residence Life), in sickness and in health (Campus Health Nurse and Counseling Center). We are your first stop when you have needs, when things just aren’t working, when you have great ideas to get off the ground, when you want to get involved and have fun. These are the people that make it all happen:

Monica Coen Christensen, EdD
Dean of Students
Dean Christensen took on the responsibilities of Dean of Students at Manhattan School of Music in January 2015 after having worked in higher education for over 25 years. In the early years of her career, she worked in positions of progressive responsibility in student affairs, including an 8 year period at Manhattan School of Music where she was Director of Student Life and then Associate Dean for Student Life. In the year 2000, she began teaching in the Higher & Postsecondary Education program at Teachers College, Columbia University. As a faculty member at Teachers College, she also eventually served as an academic advisor in the master’s program, advised advanced master’s student culminating papers, and supervised and adjudicated doctoral dissertations. Dean Christensen has Master’s and Doctoral degrees from Teachers College, Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College. She lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband, three teenage children, two cats and a dog. When she is not working hard on behalf of MSM’s students or on behalf of her family, she can be found reading, cooking and gardening.

Melanie Dorsey, MS
Director of Student Engagement
Melanie Dorsey joined MSM in the spring of 2004 as the Assistant Director of Student Life. She came to the position and school with no direct musical experience of her own, but with a strong love and respect for the arts. Having studied interior design and art history at Appalachian State University, in North Carolina, the importance and value of arts in education is certainly not lost on her. Over the course of 11 years Melanie has enjoyed an informal education in what being a performance major means through working closely with so many MSM students. She values greatly the relationships she has built through her work, and more than anything, relishes supporting students as they grow into stronger musicians and inspiring young adults. Melanie lives in Brooklyn, NY with her rescue cat Nima, and spends time volunteering in the community and baking treats for friends and neighbors.

Kai Santiago, BA, MA(c)
Student Engagement Coordinator
Romuald “Kai” Santiago is a Bay Area native who attends Teachers College at Columbia University and is currently pursuing an MA in Higher & Postsecondary Education. While in the program, Kai was the Graduate Assistant for Student Engagement for the 2020-2021 school year at MSM. Prior to his time in New York City, he received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from San Francisco State University. With his background in Psychology and Higher Education, he is passionate about student leadership development and ensuring that students feel a sense of belonging on campus. Kai is also a freelance makeup artist who believes in fostering inclusivity in all spaces, which is why he loves being in a diverse urban setting like New York City!

April Jenkins, BA, MA
Director of Residence Life
April has worked professionally in Student Affairs for five amazing years, but she originally discovered her passion for supporting college students as a student leader at The College of New Jersey, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Communications Studies with a minor in Marketing. Following that, she worked in the Residence Life department at Syracuse University before eventually attending Teachers College, Columbia University and earning her master’s degree in Higher and Post-Secondary Education. While in graduate school, she had the absolute pleasure of interning in the Student Engagement office at Manhattan School of Music. While here she loved connecting with students, learning about their passions for the arts, and discovering ways that she could help them build community on campus. She served as the Advisor for the Student Council and the Black Student Union. She loved being able to help build inclusion and celebrate MSM traditions. She has spent the past four years working at Seton Hall University where she served as a Residence Hall Director, Area Coordinator, and most recently as an Assistant Director of the Residence Life department. She enjoys assisting students through their college journey, developing student leaders, and helping to give students a home away from home.

Jay Matrecito, BA, MA(c)
Residence Life Graduate Assistant

Vaughn Watson, MA TESOL
Associate Director for Student Success 
Vaughn first got to know MSM when working in the English as a Second Language program as a tutor and as a teacher in MSM’s Summer English Study program. Vaughn has taught and tutored students in many settings including the New York City public schools, the BASIS International School Shenzhen, and most recently, as part of the Queens Educational Opportunity Center at York College in Queens. Vaughn loves meeting people from other cultures, learning new languages and doing crossword puzzles!

Cai McPhee, EdD, RN, AHN-BC
Campus Health Nurse
I joined the MSM Student Affairs team in the fall of 2020. I have been a Registered Nurse for over 26 years working in clinical practice and teaching. I am passionate about holistic health and wellness, providing quality nursing care, and helping people to live healthy lives. In my spare time, I love practicing yoga, traveling, hiking in nature, reading on the beach in the summertime, and spending time with my family and friends. I believe that music is medicine. It is an honor to serve as the Campus Health Nurse and to support the health and wellbeing of all MSM students because they heal the world with music.

Eduardo Pereira, PT, DPT-RAC
Physical Therapist
Dr. Pereira is an enthusiastic Doctor of Physical Therapy, with expertise in Orthopedics and Sports Rehab. His studies and experience encompass two continents and several cultures. He has obtained extensive experience with musculoskeletal injuries working with professional athletes, musicians and dancers. Born in the US and raised in Brazil, he earned his first Physical Therapy degree in 2005. Dr. Pereira has since received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Montana, among other titles in the orthopedic field and in the healthcare administration. Dr. Pereira is a mindful practitioner combining comprehensive movement analysis, exceptional manual therapy and the prescription of precise corrective exercises to address the demands of each individual. Physical therapy and music are his greatest passions. He joined MSM’s health team in 2019 and feels confident that with his great clinical skills, commitment to excellence in optimizing the recovery and maximum performance of every student, he will contribute further to the management and prevention of injuries at MSM. In addition to pursuing new challenges and honing his knowledge, in his spare time he enjoys running, hiking, cycling and yoga. He also appreciates the arts, playing musical instruments, and traveling.

Giovanny Zapata, BS, MPH (c)
Health & Wellness Graduate Assistant

Hannah DeBlock, MM
Assistant Director of ESL

Dr. Shara Sand, Psy.D.
Head Clinician
Dr. Sand is a licensed clinical psychologist in New York State and received her doctorate in clinical psychology from Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY. Her Postdoctoral Training in Medical Psychology/AIDS was completed at St. Luke’s/Roosevelt Hospital Center, NYC. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree (Manhattan School of Music) and a Master’s Degree in Music (Brooklyn College Conservatory of Music). Dr. Sand specializes in working with issues surrounding gender, sexuality and sexual orientation. She has a wide variety of experience as a clinician, teacher, writer and speaker and offer services in several specialty areas. Memberships include the American Psychological Association, the New York State Psychological Association, the Performing Arts Medicine Association, Association for the Study of Dreams, and the American Federation of Musicians, Local 802.

Michael Alcée, Ph.D.
Mental Health Educator & Psychological Counselor
Michael Alcée, Ph.D. is a Clinical Psychologist who has trained and worked at a variety of college counseling centers. A graduate of Williams College, he earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Fordham University. Founder of one of the first college groups dedicated to introverts, he is a dynamic speaker and clinician who uses his background in music, literature, and the arts to help individuals and groups make creative connections for personal growth and development.  His unique contributions on the link between poetry, music, and psychotherapy, and on the psychology of men can be found in the Journal of College Student Psychotherapy.  He also writes about ways to help students stay connected to the most important technologies around (self-reflection and empathy) and how to meet perfectionism and OCD with creativity and balance. An amateur pianist, he is known to switch between Brahms, Bill Evans, and the Beatles while noodling around at the keys during lunch.

Vanessa Bing, Ph.D.
Counseling Staff
Dr. Vanessa Bing is a licensed clinical psychologist.  She completed her doctoral training at the Graduate School and University Center of the City University of New York, and her undergraduate degree at New York University’s College of Arts and Sciences.  She completed her clinical internship/training at NYU Medical Center/Bellevue Hospital, and holds certificates in Marital and Couple’s Therapy from The Brooklyn Institute for Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis, and Conflict Resolution and Mediation from Long Island University (Brooklyn Campus).   Dr. Bing has extensive experience supporting young adults having worked as a supervising psychologist at the University Counseling Service at New York University, director of the Women’s Center at Borough of Manhattan Community College, and Director of Counseling in the PRES Program at the School of Engineering at City College.  Dr. Bing has a small independent psychotherapy practice working with late adolescents, adults, couples, families, and LGBTQ populations delivering culturally competent and sensitive services to ethnically and racially diverse populations. Dr. Bing is an educator, author and speaker on a range of topics including relationship abuse/dating violence, identity development, and racism as a psychological stressor. An avid lover of music (especially jazz and classical), Dr. Bing credits her time during her formative years playing music (viola and tenor saxophone) as well as her time as an NYU undergraduate spending many evenings and weekends at the Village Vanguard, Blue Note and former Bottom Line as cultivating her love and appreciation of music. She is proud to be nurturing this talent in her 14 year-old son who is studying classical piano, and who had the great fortune of participating in MSM’s Summer Music Camp.

Michele Bartnett, Ph.D.
Counseling Staff
Dr. Michele Bartnett received her Ph.D. from NYU and completed her Post Doctoral Training in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis at NYU. She received her Master’s degree from Teacher’s College, Columbia University in Special Education. Dr. Bartnett has lived abroad, has conducted workshops with psychologists in India and is fluent in French. Clinical specializations include depression, anxiety, and loss. She is an avid music lover has performed folk music playing guitar, banjo and dulcimer.

Peter J. Haddad, Ph.D.
Counseling Staff
Dr. Peter Haddad is a Licensed Psychologist with over 25 years of clinical experience. He completed his doctoral training at The University of Detroit Mercy, a private Jesuit University, and interned at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. He has practiced in Michigan and now in New York City with a special emphasis on relationships, most particularly on improving understanding, communication, compassion, and cooperation between intimate partners. He also works with individuals searching for ways to cope with and adapt to the often dispiriting demands and challenges brought on by life changes, big and small, or just by everyday life. In his spare time, Dr. Haddad has been known to lay down a tight bass line to classic rock tunes that some have characterized (mistakenly) as just a bit too loud.

Colin Chan, MA
Counseling Intern

Aliza Spruch-Feiner
Counseling Extern

The Advisory Committee on Campus Safety will provide upon request all campus crime statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education. For further information, you may read MSM’s Annual Security Report.

There are no ATMs on Manhattan School of Music’s campus. The closest ATM is in Thrifty Deli Supermarket on Broadway. The nearest bank is Chase Bank at the corner of 125th St. and Broadway.

Campus is open for operation from 8:00AM to 11:30PM, seven days a week. The Precollege Division is in session most Saturdays during the school year from 8:00AM to 6:00PM. College students are not permitted into the main building until 6:00PM those Saturdays, except to use the cafeteria.

Students who wish to visit the library on Saturdays must add their name and MSM email address to the online Saturday Sign-Up List by Friday at 3PM. The Saturday Sign-Up List may be found in the top banner of the catalog.

All hours are subject to change. If changes to building hours are needed, the Scheduling Office will communicate this change to the students via email. When entering an MSM entrance, students are required to present their MSM IDs to security personnel. The ID must have the current semester’s validation sticker, which can be found in the Office of Student Accounts.

Saturday requests for tuba, jazz drumset, and percussion students wishing to access the tuba studio, percussion and drumset practice rooms may email their request to precollege@msmnyc.edu to be added to the expected guest list. Students enrolled in Electronic Music courses are allowed access the Electronic Music Studios on Saturdays by signing in at the main security desk. Students should note that their right to these rooms is not absolute — if their practice interferes with the normal operation of Precollege activities, they will be asked to leave and/or come back at a different time. Practice on Precollege Audition Saturdays may be limited and/or unavailable depending on the needs and activities of Precollege auditions.

Tuition payment provides access to Manhattan School of Music facilities only when classes are in session, and does not include either the intercessions or summer vacation. However, at times when the buildings are open and there are no special programs in session, Manhattan School of Music will make the building and practice rooms available to college students. Students will be informed of these limited opportunities for building access by the Scheduling Office via email before each intersession period.

Manhattan School of Music reserves the right to enforce rules for facilities usage at all times which may include closure of rooms, performance spaces, and the entire building. Because of the high demand, only current students are allowed to use practice spaces unless an arrangement has been made through administrative offices. Once a student graduates from MSM, practice rights cease effective July 31 of each year and entrance to the building is as an alum.

Space reservation policies and systems are presented at Orientation each year by the Scheduling Office. An information sheet is available year round in the Scheduling Office.

Bulletin boards are an important tool to communicate what is going on in the school and around town that may be of interest to the Manhattan School of Music community. Department faculty and staff are responsible for the postings and maintenance of their departmental bulletin boards. In an effort to organize the posting of announcements and advertisements, the Office of Student Engagement (Rm. 120) has created several guidelines for the posting of announcements. Posting policies are as follows:

1. The Office of Student Engagement approves and posts appropriate materials in the school building. The Director of Residence Life and her staff approve postings for Andersen Hall. Any item posted without the “Approved by Student Affairs” stamp will be removed.
2. Any items posted that do not correspond with the title of the bulletin board will be removed.
3. The Department of Student Affairs reserves the right to refuse permission for posting any material.
4. The Department of Student Affairs in no way endorses or approves advertised items or events.
5. Any unauthorized items posted in Manhattan School of Music designated areas will be removed.
6. Posting in the residence hall must abide by residence hall posting procedures and must receive approval from the Andersen Hall staff prior to posting.
7. There is no posting on glass or elevators except for extremely important situations approved by a member of the President’s Council. Major events may be publicized on the glass wall between the lobby and the cafeteria with the approval of the Office of Student Engagement.
8. There is no posting on the marble walls.

Class Cancellations 

When a teacher cancels classes, they will both e-mail their students and let the Registrar’s Office know. The Registrar’s Office will then update the Student Portal (https://my.msmnyc.edu/ics) to alert students of class cancellations. 

School Closings 

Manhattan School of Music will sometimes cancel classes and close administrative offices during inclement weather or other emergency situations. The building usually remains open for study and practice unless circumstances dictate otherwise. You should receive an email to your MSM email account if classes have been canceled, as well as a text from the emergency text system if you have registered for that service. The alert will also be posted on the MSM Student Portal (https://my.msmnyc.edu/ics) and the MSM Website (https://www.msmnyc.edu). If you do not receive a specific announcement from Manhattan School of Music, assume classes will run as scheduled. 

 

For information on credit hours please look here.

Manhattan School of Music is pleased to provide the following information regarding our institution’s graduation/completion rates. The information is provided in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. The rates reflect the graduation/completion status of students who enrolled during the 2007-2008 school year and for whom 150% of the normal time-to-completion has elapsed.

During the fall semester of 2008, 103 first-time, full-time, certificate or degree-seeking undergraduate students entered Manhattan School of Music. After six years (as of August 31, 2014), 72% of these students have graduated from our institution or completed their programs. In addition, our transfer out rate is 6%.

Questions related to this report should be directed to the Registrar, at registrar@msmnyc.edu. While reviewing this information, please bear in mind:

• The graduation/completion rate is based on six years of attendance that equates to 150% of our longest program.
• The graduation/completion rate does not include students who left the school to serve in the armed forces, on official church missions, or in the foreign service of the federal government. Students who have passed away or were totally and permanently disabled are also excluded.

For more information please visit the National Center for Education Statistics.

Chamber Music

Most instrumental students are required to take chamber music at some point during their time at MSM. Please consult the MSM Course Catalog to review the requirements for your major.

Choral Ensembles

Chamber Choir is open to all MSM students (undergraduate and graduate) through audition.  Chamber Choir rehearses two times each week and performs choral repertoire from the Medieval Period through the 21st Century. Any questions can be directed to Ronnie Oliver, Associate Director of Choral Activities, at roliver@msmnyc.edu. 

Symphonic Chorus is required of all 1st and 2nd year undergraduate vocal, piano, organ, guitar, and composition majors and also open to all MSM students through a vocal audition.  Symphonic Chorus rehearses two times each week and performs major choral-orchestral repertoire. Any questions can be directed to Ronnie Oliver, Associate Director of Choral Activities, at roliver@msmnyc.edu.

 Conductor’s Lab Chorus is open to all MSM students through audition. Lab Chorus rehearses two times each week, performs choral repertoire from all musical eras, and enables choral conducting majors to refine their gesture and rehearsal techniques. Any questions can be directed to Ronnie Oliver, Associate Director of Choral Activities, at roliver@msmnyc.edu. 

 Jazz Ensembles

The Jazz Arts ensemble program consists of four large ensembles and 20 or more combos.  The large ensembles are the MSM Jazz Orchestra, Studio Orchestra, Composer’s Big Band and LatinX Jazz Orchestra. For the 2019-2020 concert season, these ensembles will perform at MSM’s newly renovated Neidorff-Karpati Hall and at Harlem Stage; the Jazz Orchestra and LatinX Jazz Orchestra also perform each season at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, Jazz at Lincoln Center. Guest soloists are often featured in concert with our ensembles. Recent guest soloists include Stefon Harris, Jon Faddis, Joe Lovano, John Beasley, Billy Childs, Terence Blanchard and Jim McNeely.

The Jazz Arts combos perform at least twice a year in the Combo Festival at MSM and additionally, are featured in community performances at local clubs, on WBGO, Clem’s Place, Newark, NJ, and Harlem Stage. Coached by MSM Jazz Faculty, these combos present a rich variety of music, from Latin, Brazilian, Electronic music, Singer-songwriter to straight-ahead and contemporary jazz.

All students in the Jazz Arts BM and MM degree programs are assigned to large ensembles and combos based on the results of Ensemble Placement Auditions, which take place August 29, 2019, and are mandatory. Students may have the opportunity to form their own combos (by permission only) by submitting a combo request form, which is available to students in late August.

Ensemble requirements are outlined in the MSM Course Catalog jazz sequence plans, and as assigned by the Associate Dean of the Jazz Arts Program; Jazz Composition Majors may also be assigned to ensembles. See this link for information about the auditions: http://www.msmnyc.edu/Instruction-Faculty/Accepted-Students/Ensemble-Placement-and-Audition-Information/Jazz-Ensemble-Placement-Auditions.

Orchestra Ensembles

Students enrolled in Orchestra (LP1500) will participate in a variety of orchestral training opportunities as assigned by the orchestra office, with an eye to  providing a breadth of orchestral experience to each student. 

Opera Theatre

Voice students at MSM who are cast in opera theatre productions, will develop their artistry under the guidance of a faculty of eminent artist-teachers — while gaining exposure before New York City audiences. The program has a long history of excellence, attracting some of the most talented young singers from around the globe. Cited by the New York Times for its significant contribution to operatic life in New York, Manhattan School of Music has a long and proud tradition of producing some of the finest artists singing throughout the world today.

Financing a college education is a high priority for many families. The Office of Financial Aid is committed to helping you navigate through the many financial options available to you. Our goal is to enhance the growth, development, and performance of all qualifying students by providing financial resources and information that will enable students to maximize their educational experience at Manhattan School of Music.

We hope that this website is helpful to you as you make your way through the financial aid process. We encourage you to contact us or to come in and talk to us about any and all questions you may have regarding the financing of your MSM education.

Refund Checks

Refund checks are disbursed by the Student Accounts Office after the Add/Drop period, which occurs between September 9^th -18^th. Students are notified via email if they have received a refund.

For more information please visit Financial Aid.

History of the School 

From its beginnings as a small community music school to its current incarnation as a top international conservatory, Manhattan School of Music has upheld a tradition of excellence in music education. 

 Founder Janet Daniels Schenck, a pianist who had also studied social work, began teaching music at the Union Settlement House on East 104th Street. By 1918, the School was bringing high-quality musical training to the East Harlem resident by reestablishing the musical communities that had existed in these immigrants’ home countries. 

 Under additional artistic guidance from Pablo Casals, Harold Bauer, and Fritz Kreisler, the School had grown to over 400 students and erected a new building in 1928. A decade later, it had established a city-wide reputation and changed its name from the Neighborhood Music School to Manhattan School of Music. The School soon evolved into a college, offering a Bachelor of Music degree in 1943, with advanced degree programs quickly following. 

 In 1956, Dr. Schenck retired and John Brownlee, noted Metropolitan Opera baritone, was appointed director, a title later revised to president. President Brownlee initiated the idea of relocating the School to the West Side Morningside Heights neighborhood with the purchase of the Juilliard building; his death occurred only months before his efforts were realized. 

 In 1969, George Schick, Metropolitan Opera conductor, accompanist, and distinguished opera coach, succeeded Brownlee as president and led the School’s move to its present location. John O. Crosby, founder and general director of the Santa Fe Opera, was appointed president in 1976; Gideon W. Waldrop was appointed in 1986; and Peter C. Simon in 1989. A Doctor of Musical Arts and a new Jazz program were initiated during this period. 

 Marta Casals Istomin, former director of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, served as president of the School from 1992 until 2005. Her tenure saw the construction of the G. Chris and SungEun Andersen Residence Hall, which opened in 2001. In addition to student housing, Andersen is home to the William R. and Irene D. Miller Recital Hall and the Alan M. and Joan Taub Ades Performance Space; the Peter Jay Sharp Library; and several practice spaces. Dr. Robert Sirota, appointed president in 2005, instituted a new Contemporary Performance Program and the innovative Center for Music Entrepreneurship, as well as the addition of the Solomon Gadles Mikowsky Recital Hall. 

 Under the current leadership of Dr. James Gandre, who assumed the presidency in May 2013,  Manhattan School of Music continues to uphold the standards passed down through the decades. The School added a Musical Theatre degree program in 2016 and much of the campus has been improved, refreshed, and/or updated. MSM’s Centennial was celebrated in 2018–19 coinciding with the opening of a new grand entrance and a renovation and reimagining of the main concert venue, Neidorff-Karpati Hall. 

Although much has changed at MSM in the past 100 years, our focus remains the same: excellence in music education, performance, and creative activity. 

The Manhattan School of Music photo identification card with a current validation sticker is required for access to the building and a resident validation sticker is required for access to Andersen Hall. The Manhattan School of Music identification card must be shown on request to school officials or designees. New and replacement identification cards are available in the Office of Student Engagement, Rm. 120, between the hours of 9:00am-5:00pm. The first time an ID card is lost or stolen, students may receive a replacement card for free. After that, replacement cards cost $45.00, payable to the Office of Business & Finance, Rm A-442. Once paid, students should bring their receipt to the Office of Student Engagement to receive their replacement ID.

View page here.

• Lockers are assigned to students by the Office of Student Engagement (Rm 120) via an online request form. The locker request emails are sent to the student’s MSM email address and are to be filled out and submitted online.
• Only commuter/off-campus students are eligible for a locker.
• Lockers are assigned based on instrument size. For example, students who play the cello will receive lockers that are bigger than those who play the flute in order to accommodate their instruments.
• All students must fill out and sign a locker agreement before being assigned a locker.
• All students must vacate their lockers at the end of the school year as stated in the locker agreement.
• DMA students are eligible to keep their lockers during the summer break, but must inform the Office of Student Engagement of their intent to do so.

For additional information, please email the Office of Student Engagement: studentengagement@msmnyc.edu. 

All residents of Andersen Hall are required to purchase a declining meal plan for use in the school’s cafeteria. There are three residential meal plans offered:

Gold: $2,775 for fall semester & $2,775 for spring semester
Silver: $1,995 for fall semester & $1,995 for spring semester
Bronze: $1,425 for fall semester & $1,425 for spring semester

Students who commute are required to purchase a declining balance meal plan of $149 per semester. The balance of the plan is carried over from the fall semester to the spring semester, unless the student does not return for the spring semester in which case the remaining money is forfeited. Any unused balance at the completion of the spring semester is nonrefundable. To add more money onto your meal plan account, please visit the Office of Business & Finance, Room A-442, Monday through Friday, between 9:00 am and 5:00 pm. A minimum of $50.00 is required to add funds to your meal plan; cash, checks and debit/credit cards are accepted.
The cafeteria, housed in the Mitzi Newhouse Pavilion, is run by Chartwells, a dining service that is dedicated to meeting the specific and varied food needs of the students at Manhattan School of Music. Please notify Chartwells of any dietary restrictions or food allergies.

The Mitzi Newhouse Cafeteria Hours* are as follows:
Monday – Friday
7:30am – 7:30pm
Saturday
8:00am – 6:00pm
Sunday
10:00am – 6:00pm

*Hours are subject to change during holidays and summer vacation.

Manhattan School of Music is deeply committed to excellence in education, performance, and creative activity; to the humanity of the School’s environment; to preparing all our students to find their success; and to the cultural enrichment of the larger community. A premier international conservatory, MSM inspires and empowers highly talented individuals to realize their potential. We take full advantage of New York’s abundant learning and performance opportunities, preparing our students to be accomplished and passionate performers, composers, and teachers, and imaginative, effective contributors to the arts and society.

Manhattan School of Music requires all first-year and second-year undergraduates (freshmen and sophomores) and first year transfer students to live in residence as space allows. Students must submit a housing prepayment and application each year by specified deadlines to officially request a room. Students must submit and complete the housing exemption form to be considered for an exemption of this policy. The Office of Residence Life does not guarantee an assignment to any student who does not submit the pre-payment and all forms by any stated deadline. Please see the Residence Life Page for more information about living on campus.

Placement Exams

All new students in the Classical, Orchestral Performance and Jazz programs are required to take placement tests prior to their first semester at MSM. Placement examinations are used to determine the level of each student’s abilities in music history, music theory, aural skills and other subjects related to specific majors. A new student can place out of remedial courses and/or required courses by excelling in these exams. Placing out of a course will allow greater flexibility in his/her coursework. Poor performance on these tests can extend study and/or require more credits to graduate.

Classical and Orchestral Program Students

The theory curriculum at the school stresses the interdependence of theoretical skills and performance. Based on this premise, placement examinations determine that student’s levels of skill in harmony, counterpoint, form and analysis, dictation, and sight-singing. These examinations are to be taken only once. Based on the results of the placement exams, undergraduate students who do not meet college-level standards at Manhattan School of Music may be placed in remedial classes.

For graduate students whose placement exams indicate some deficiencies but a reasonable knowledge of undergraduate theory and aural skills, the department offers various courses which complete the these requirements at Manhattan School of Music. These courses do not count toward the cumulative credit needed to graduate with the master’s degree.

The Music History placement examinations are designed to allow the student to show a basic understanding of the historic styles and traditions of Western art music. The test covers the period from Gregorian chant until the present. These exams may be taken more than once.

All Piano majors take a keyboard skills exam, which includes sight-reading at the keyboard. Non-piano majors are required to take a piano exam which includes reading at sight and the demonstration of the following skills: major and minor scales, chord progressions, triads and inversions, harmonization, transposition, and sight-reading.

The English Language Placement Examination is administered during orientation to all students for whom English is not their first language. The only exceptions are doctoral students.

Jazz Program Students

All new Jazz department students are required to take placement exams which measure a student’s ability in Theory, Ear-Training, Jazz Music History, and Jazz Piano Skills. Additionally, all Jazz students take a placement exam in Improvisation.

Deficiency Courses

Students are required to complete all deficiency (remedial) courses successfully before registering for classes prescribed in their course sequence plans. Deficiency courses become part of a student’s degree or diploma program. They may not be used to fulfill requirements (with the exception of JC2201-2202, TH2882 and MH1001-1004). The length of a degree or diploma program may be extended for students who are required to take deficiency courses. Students required to take English Language courses should be aware that this will cause their program to be extended for one additional year or more.

Qualifying Examinations

If a current student is already capable of meeting the requirements for a particular course after having taken the placement exams, he or she may demonstrate this proficiency through a qualifying examination. Qualifying examinations are offered in Aural Skills, Keyboard Skills (Piano, Organ, and Accompanying majors only), Music History, Required Piano (non- keyboard and non-guitar majors only), Sight-Singing, and Theory. With the exception of Theory and Aural Skills exams, a student may take a qualifying exam more than once. Applications for these examinations are available in the Office of the Registrar, or from the student website. A fee is charged for Aural Skills, Sight-Singing, Theory, Required Piano, and Keyboard Skills examinations.

The Scheduling Office oversees and assists MSM students, faculty, and staff in booking and coordinating use of practice rooms, classrooms, rehearsal rooms and performance spaces at MSM while scheduling all student recitals and associated dress rehearsals.

The Scheduling Office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Student requests are not taken over the phone or via email. They must be made in person in the Scheduling Office, room 407.

For comprehensive information on Student Recitals and Practice Room usage, please look here.

Click here to book a practice room.

James Gandre, President
Joyce Griggs, Executive Vice President and Provost
Tangella Maddox, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Susan Madden, Vice President for Advancement
Jeff Breithaupt, Vice President for Media and Communications
Carol Matos, Vice President for Administration & Human Relations
Melissa Cocco, Vice President and Dean of Enrollment Management
Monica Coen Christensen, Dean of Students
Kelly Sawatsky, Dean of Academic Affairs
Bryan Greaney, Associate Vice President for Facilities and Campus Safety
Alexa Smith, Chief of Staff and Assistant Vice President for Special Initiatives

Manhattan School of Music is sensitive to the needs of students who wish to observe religious and civic holidays during the academic year. To accommodate the planning needs of studio teachers, classroom teachers, and ensemble directors as well as to fulfill the educational and artistic requirements of the semester’s work, students who anticipate being absent for religious and civic holidays need to inform their teachers and ensemble directors in writing by emailing faculty directly and copying the Dean of Students at mchristensen@msmnyc.edu. If students follow the preceding policy and understand that they are responsible for classroom work and ensemble obligations missed, absence for religious and civic holidays will be automatically excused. Students who do not inform their teachers and ensemble directors of the absence in a timely manner will not be excused. 

Each MSM student is assigned an MSM email account that must be checked daily. The faculty/staff communicate with students in this media. If you have problems with your email, or you forget your password, please contact the IT Department at helpdesk@msmnyc.edu. For information on how to forward your MSM email to your personal email account, log in to the MSM student portal at my.msmnyc.edu and follow the prompts for forwarding email.

Students who wish to work in administrative offices or assist in other areas of the school may view a listing of available positions here.

If you have a question about work eligibility, please visit the staff in the Financial Aid office, A-5th Floor. They will determine the eligibility of each student to participate in the Federal Work Study program, provide information about on-campus work, and explain how students can apply for positions on campus. Students who are not eligible for work study may still be eligible for on- campus work, but non-work study budgets are very limited in most offices.

Applications and job postings for on campus positions are available in the Financial Aid Office. Positions that do not require work-study eligibility often include positions related to ushering, outreach, and theater operations. Occasionally, part-time on-campus positions for students are posted as needed. All student workers are required to sign a statement of confidentiality (FERPA form) in order to be employed.

International students have specific restrictions on work and must check with the Director of International Student Services (ISS@msmnyc.edu) for details before taking any job.

MSM Community Partnership Opportunities

There are a variety of performing and teaching opportunities in the community through the Community Partnerships Program. 

Community Partnerships Performer: 

Job Title: Community Partnerships Performer
Department: Community Partnerships
Reports to: Director of Community Partnerships
Contact: dgalvan@msmnyc.edu
Eligibility: Any
Hours per week: varies
Salary per hour: $50-$75/performance
Application due: Ongoing
*Performances will be remote only for Fall 2020*

Responsibilities:
Provide interactive musical performances in diverse settings*
Prepare appropriate repertoire and remarks 

Qualifications:
Interest in working with diverse audiences in non-traditional concert settings
Excellent interpersonal skills required
Interest in personal interaction with underserved, ill, or elderly communities
Proper attire and appropriate language expected at all times
Performance-ready repertoire

Community Partnership Instructors: 

Job Title: Instrumental and Vocal Instructors
Department: Community Partnerships
Reports to: Director of Community Partnerships
Contact: dgalvan@msmnyc.edu
Eligibility: Any
Hours per week: .75-2
Salary per hour: $24.00
Application due: Until Filled

Responsibilities:
Teach weekly group instrumental or vocal lessons in local schools*
Create weekly lesson plans under the guidance of Outreach Community Partnerships staff
Complete mid-year and end of year evaluations
*Remote instruction only for Fall 2020

Qualifications:
Employment is October through the end of April (minus school vacations).
Weekly attendance is mandatory.
Interest in working with children.
Organized and punctual.
Proper attire and appropriate language expected at all times.
Excellent interpersonal skills required. 

Community Partnerships Artist-Educator 

Job Title: Community Partnerships Artist-Educator
Department: Community Partnerships
Reports to: Director of Community Partnerships
Contact: dgalvan@msmnyc.edu
Eligibility: Any
Hours per week: 1 hr/week for 4 weeks
Salary per hour: $50.00
Application due: Until Filled

Responsibilities:
Teach weekly group courses to older adult populations in the topics of jazz or opera via telephone.
Create weekly lesson plans under the guidance of Community Partnerships staff.
Prepare appropriate teaching materials and music.
Opportunities to teach in various languages.

Qualifications:
Attendance is mandatory.
Interest in working with older adults.
Organized and punctual.
Appropriate language expected at all times.
Excellent interpersonal skills required. 

For more info and to fill out an application for these programs, please visit Room 116 or visit the Community Partnerships page here.

CME Job Opportunities

For information on job opportunities through the CME Office, visit the CME webpages here.

Student Organizations at Manhattan School of Music are designed to give students an opportunity to build leadership and interpersonal skills, while contributing to the MSM community. Student organizations are open to all currently enrolled MSM students.
Students with common interests organize each student organization. Each active student organization must have an advisor who is a current faculty of staff member at MSM. Additionally, the Director of Student Engagement supports and encourages the work of the organizations. Student Organization leaders communicate regularly with their advisor and the Student Engagement staff as they plan meetings and events sponsored by their group. Each active student organization receives a limited budget to support them in their efforts during the academic year.

Active Student Organizations

Alpha Psi Omega
Alpha Psi Omega is a theatre honor society providing acknowledgement to those demonstrating a high standard of accomplishment in theatre and offering fellowship for those interested in theatre. Students must qualify for membership to the society.

Black American Music at Manhattan School of Music (#BAM at MSM)
Our mission is to voice the needs and interests of Jazz Arts students as Manhattan School of Music continues its responsibility to acknowledge and embody the spirit of Black American Music.
#BAM at MSM operates primarily to bring student input to the table as part of MSM’s ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion. #BAM at MSM seeks to educate the community about the rich history and tradition of Black American Music. We strive to highlight artists who lived and worked in Harlem, the birthplace of modern jazz.

Black Student Union (BSU)
The purpose of the Black Student Union is to promote the inclusion and celebration of Black culture at Manhattan School of Music. The organization provides a sense of unity and support for students of color and allies. In addition, this organization provides educational and social opportunities for the entire Manhattan School of Music community to come together to learn about and celebrate the rich heritage, history, and contributions of persons of African ancestry. (Formally known as Pan-African Student Union)

Environmental Awareness Club
The Environmental Awareness Club endeavors to spread awareness of ideas about saving our planet. The organization emphasizes recycling, cleaner life choices, and other such small ways of living that help to combat global warming.

Face to Face: Board Game Club
Play is an essential aspect of the human psyche. This group provides students with the opportunity to relax and enjoy a different form of creativity, while helping them to be more well-rounded.

Fusion: One World at MSM
Fusion: One World at MSM aims to introduce the community to cultures represented among the students at MSM and bring together international and domestic students to spark connection, appreciation, friendship, and inspiration. The organization strives to highlight and share cultures, traditions, and values through food, dance, art, fashion, and more.

Improv Club
This group provides MSM students the opportunity to explore their spontaneous side and get in-touch with their comedic instincts! It will offer a safe, non-judgmental and laid-back environment for students to let loose and not be afraid to try new things!

International Service Learning Organization (ISLO)
This student organization is for students interested in immersive experiences abroad focused on service. This group has volunteered in Costa Rica twice – doing childcare with children from 3-6 years old on their first trip and working on a coffee farm on their second trip. The trip takes place annually, during the second week of MSM Spring Recess.

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship is a community of students from different cultural and religious backgrounds drawn together by a common interest in exploring the Christian faith and its relation to all of life. IVCF is a campus ministry that encourages honest, thoughtful exploration of spiritual issues through hospitable small group Bible studies, large group gatherings, and off-campus retreats. IVCF at MSM strives to hold weekly meetings and one larger event per month where they will present speakers to share about the intersection of faith, life, and music.

MSM Womxn’s Group
MSM Womxn fosters empowerment in womxn in the arts. This group aims to create a safe space for womxn at MSM to speak of their experience at MSM and as womxn, period. There is a large emphasis on positive community building and advocacy projects within and outside of MSM.

Polar Bear Press
Polar Bear Press publishes a bi-monthly paper as a platform for student voices. The PBP is distributed by email as well as in a printed version. The students of PBP endeavor to include articles written by students about topics specific to MSM and relevant to the students in our community. Staff in the MSM Media and Communications Department advise the student leaders of PBP.

Queer People for the Betterment of Society (QueerPBS)
QueerPBS offers a safe space for people of all cultures and identities to freely discuss ideas and work towards making the community at large a better, more compassionate place. The group strives to bridge gaps between queer and non-queer peoples, assess the needs of the community and fulfill those needs, fundraise for charities and organizations that align with the group’s mission, and HAVE FUN building a community together at MSM. All LGBT Manhattan School of Music students and allies are welcome.

Student Council
The MSM Student Council is the school’s largest group, whose mission is to provide a forum and voice for the student body at large. The Council works to enrich the MSM student experience through providing opportunities for engagement and leadership development. The council is comprised of representatives from all majors offered at MSM. The Council sponsors many diverse events during the year, including social activities and discussion forms. The council is open to all students – any enrolled student is welcome to participate in the Council as a member at large.

Starting a New Organization

If you’re interested in starting a new group we invite you to obtain a registration form in the Office of Student Engagement. A student must have completed one full semester at MSM before initiating the creation of a new student organization. New student organizations are approved and funded on an annual basis.
Private clubs or organizations of any nature that are not specifically supervised by a member of Manhattan School of Music’s administrative staff are not allowed to recruit and/or meet on school premises.
The school reserves the right to take action against a student group for conduct prohibited by the school’s standards of personal and group conduct. Such acts of misconduct by students engaged in organized activities of registered student groups, whether committed on or off campus, are subject to disciplinary action. An organized activity is any activity which is conducted under the auspices, sponsorship, or supervision of a registered student group.

Students can access important information from the MSM Student Portal, my.msmnyc.edu, such as course schedules, class cancellations, concert attendance accounts, grades, financial aid info, and much more!

Students may request a change of teacher. This is an important decision to be thought over carefully and thoroughly. Student decisions to change teachers are often the result of miscommunication or lack of communication with the current teacher. You are therefore encouraged to discuss the matter with your teacher and/or with the departmental chair and the Dean of Students. If you wish to change teachers you must obtain a Change of Teacher Request Form from the Provost’s office, room 402. Complete instructions are on the form. School policy prohibits any action against a student by a former teacher.

The MSM Campus Health Nurse works in collaboration with other Student Affairs Division staff and the Counseling Center staff. This collaboration helps to enhance the students’ experience at MSM by supporting the development and implementation of health and wellness programming. The Campus Health Nurse partners with community providers to increase access to health and mental health resources. These partnerships help to empower students to be self-guided and well-informed consumers of health care services.  

It is proven that students who are in good physical and mental health can perform better and have better academic outcomes. Good health also aides in creating a positive school environment overall. The Campus Health Nurse Office offers an inclusive, culturally competent, and holistic approach to health that will help support and encourage students to succeed during their academic studies here at MSM, and beyond. Whether you have a health question that needs answering or an ongoing medical issue that may need some attention, the Campus Health Nurse Office is a good place to start!  

Accessing Care:  

Visits are conducted on a by appointment basis and first-come first-served Walk-In basis. Health and wellness services are available free of charge (insurance is NOT required to visit the office) to both residential and non-residential students Monday through Thursday during the academic school year. Services provided include: basic first aid and triage for minor injuries and illnesses; coordination and case management of student’s health care needs; promotion and education of positive health behaviors; education on the management of chronic conditions, and linkage to community health resources and services. If further follow-up by a physician or other medical providers, outside MSM’s Campus Health Nurse, is needed, you may be required to provide proof of medical insurance coverage to navigate the healthcare system in New York. You are welcome to contact our Campus Health Nurse by email at campushealth@msmnyc.edu or by phone at 917-493-4278.  

Physical Therapy:   

Since 2019, the Campus Health Nurse Office has provided access to a physical therapist, Dr. Eduardo Pereira, PT, DPT, RAC, for limited hours each week.  Students who would benefit from physical therapy must first visit the Campus Health Nurse Office who will coordinate treatment with Dr. Pereira.   

  

“When health is absent, wisdom cannot reveal itself, art cannot become manifest, strength cannot fight, wealth becomes useless, and intelligence cannot be applied.” – Herophilus of Chalcedon, 335-280 BCE, Physician to Alexander the Great 

See PDF here.

In accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, Manhattan School of Music is committed to administering reasonable adjustments and accommodations students to students with disabilities (SWD) to prevent the discrimination on the basis of disability. It is the responsibility of all staff, faculty, and students to ensure that we uphold the philosophy of equal access both within the school and in the greater world.

Identification and Registration

Students who would like to register as SWDs should independently complete a Disability Services Request Form and upload adequate documentation from an appropriate source on the Disability Services webpage. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the identification process. Upon registering, students must make an appointment with the Associate Director for Student Success to discuss and begin the administration of accommodations.

Documentation

Documentation serves two purposes: it establishes that an individual is a person with disabilities and it can establish an individual’s current need for accommodation to ensure equal access. Documentation must demonstrate that a physical or mental disability that creates a substantial limitation to a major life activity to establish protection under Section 504 and the ADA. The Associate Director for Student Success also reserves the right to use common sense and good judgement in place of documentation in instances of obvious disability.

Accommodations

Due to the nature of the conservatory curriculum, accommodations must be renewed and re-administered at the beginning of each academic year. An email notification will be sent out as a reminder to students. It is the student’s responsibility to meet with the Associate Director for Student Success to request accommodations each academic year.

Grievances

Students who are unhappy with a decision made about their identification, documentation, or accommodations should contact the Dean of Students, Monica Christensen.

 

For more information about Disability Services, please click here.

There is a gym in the basement of Andersen Hall which is open 24/7 to students residing in Andersen Hall.

As a neighbor of Columbia University, Manhattan School of Music students have access to the Affiliate Membership at The Dodge Fitness Center. Click on the link to check out their prices: https://perec.columbia.edu/content/prices.

 

View page here.

View PDF here.

MSM regularly sends messages to the community regarding campus and safety protocols.  These messages are reposted or summarized on the Campus Safety and Protocols page of the website.  Students are responsible for complying with posted campus and safety protocols and can be sanctioned under the Code of Conduct for failure to comply with posted protocols.

View PDF here.

View PDF here.

MSM Digital Citizenship Policy 

While working in a digital collaborative environment (e.g. Canvas, Zoom, or any videoconferencing platform), students are expected to conduct their communications in a professional, courteous, and respectful manner at all times. Inappropriate language or behavior may result in disciplinary action. 

Remote Learning Classroom Rules and Etiquette 

(Subject to change based on individual professor’s classroom rules): 

1. Only students enrolled in the class may attend the Zoom meeting. All guests, including parents and auditors, must have advance permission from the instructor to attend. 
2. Please log in to your classroom meeting from a distraction-free If your background is distracting (movement, people passing by, etc.), alert those who may unwittingly be on camera that you are participating in a remote learning class, and consider using a virtual background for privacy. 
3. Be appropriately dressed as if you were on campus, in person. 
4. Have the necessary materials (paper, pen/pencil, textbook, approved devices) available to take notes. 
5. Make sure your full profile name is displayed You may use your legal or preferred name and pronouns. 
6. Make sure your video is on so that your face can be seen and is centered in the screen. Avoid having other people, pets, or items in your video screen that could be distracting and disruptive both to yourself and your colleagues.  Please contact your professor in advance if you are unable to use video for the class. 
7. Keep your audio on mute until you wish to speak to help limit background noise. 
8. During a Zoom class, use the “Raise Hand” feature to speak or to answer a question. You may unmute yourself when the professor calls on you. 
9. Keep in mind that the chat box is public and a record of the chat may be kept and archived.  Use abbreviations in chats or discussions when appropriate.  Faculty may limit or turn off chat function in their courses. 
10. Follow the faculty member’s guidelines to communicate when you need to leave for emergency or bio-breaks. 
11. The instructor may record the class for educational and academic purposes. Students may record the class for personal use with permission of the instructor. 

Manhattan School of Music is committed to maintaining a drug-free school and workplace. The School is dedicated to excellence in musical performance and academic achievement; to promote this goal, the School requires that faculty, staff, and students maintain the highest standards of personal and professional conduct. The illegal or abusive use of drugs and alcohol by members of the community adversely affects the quality of campus life and the mission of the institution and is therefore prohibited.

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, solicitation, or use of illegal drugs or alcohol is prohibited at all times in the School and in the course of any School- or work-related activity.

Employees and students are prohibited from appearing on School premises or property owned or leased by the institution while visibly and significantly intoxicated or impaired by the use of alcohol or illegal drugs. This prohibition includes, consistent with New York State law, the consumption of alcohol or marijuana by individuals under 21 years of age without a prescription* and the knowing distribution of alcohol or marijuana to individuals under 21 years of age. In accordance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act, and with the safety and well-being of members of our community in mind, Manhattan School of Music has established guidelines for dealing with the issues of alcohol and drug use.

*See MSM’s Medical Marijuana Policy

Manhattan School of Music expects all staff and faculty members and students to become familiar with the law and School policy and the penalties and risks that can result from violations. The law places major responsibility and liability on both the person who serves and the person who buys the alcohol. Included in these laws are those that govern driving under the influence of alcohol, purchasing alcohol by and for persons under the legal drinking age, and serving alcohol to persons who are either underage or intoxicated. Persons who unlawfully furnish alcoholic beverages or marijuana to students who are not of legal drinking/marijuana possession age shall be in violation of School policy and subject to disciplinary action and may be liable for personal injuries or property damages resulting from misconduct committed by underage, intoxicated or high students.

Students living in Andersen Residence Hall, their guests, and all who enter the hall must also abide by policies stated in the Residence Life Handbook.

Institutional and Legal Sanctions for violations of the Drug and Alcohol Policy

Disciplinary sanctions for violation of the Drug and Alcohol Policy that may be imposed on students include warning, residence hall fine, disciplinary probation (NOTE: Students on disciplinary probation may lose eligibility for Manhattan School Music scholarships.), community service, removal from residential facilities, suspension, and dismissal or expulsion. A student found engaging in any of the above offenses will be subject to disciplinary actions, up to and including expulsion.

The institution will also consider as a possible sanction referral of the matter to law enforcement, which may result in criminal prosecution. The penalty imposed as a result of criminal prosecution depends on many factors, including the type and amount of controlled substance involved, the number of prior offenses, if any, and whether any other crimes were committed in connection with the use of the controlled substance. Possible sanctions include incarceration and imposition of substantial monetary fines.

The School will offer no protection or immunity from prosecution by federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies.

Federal, State and Local Laws Regarding Alcohol and Other Drugs

Some of the federal, state, and local laws regarding alcohol and other drugs that apply to all members of the Manhattan School of Music community and, as applicable, their guests are listed below. Federal, state, and local penalties may change and are adjusted to circumstances of the persons involved. Repeat offenders may be obligated to stiffer penalties than those listed.

LAW PENALTIES

Minimum Drinking Age Law (21) Fine—up to $50
Alcohol Awareness program
30 hours community service

Possession of Marijuana
Persons over age 21 may possess up to 3 oz of marijuana and may smoke it anywhere that smoking is permitted (note: MSM is a smoke-free campus).

Procurement of Alcohol and Serving Alcohol to those under 21 Fine—up to $200
Imprisonment—up to 5 days
Suspension of liquor sales license and/or $1000 fine

False Identification Laws Fine—up to $100
Community Service
Alcohol Awareness Program

Open Container/Public

Consumption Law Fine—$250 for first time violators, more for others

Driving While Intoxicated Fines—up to $1000
Driver’s license revoked for at least six months
Imprisonment—up to 1 year

Driving While Ability Impaired Fine—up to $1000
Revocation of driver’s license for 90 days
Imprisonment—up to 15 days

Zero Tolerance Law Fine—up to $225
Suspension of driver’s license for 6 months

Illegal Use, Possession and Distribution of Drugs Law
Depends on amount and type of drug

Possession of 25g marijuana
Fine of $500
Imprisonment—3 months

Possession of 1 mg LSD
Imprisonment—15 years

Other: possession, use, distribution, sale, etc., of controlled substances and other illegal substances Depends on amount and type of drug

Fines—up to $100,000 for first offence
Imprisonment—at least 15 days, up to 2 years
Forfeiture of property possible
Forfeiture of federal benefits such as student loans possible
Forfeiture of federal licenses and benefits possible

General Obligations Law

Anyone involved in selling, procuring, or providing controlled substances, illegal drugs, or alcohol for others may face civil liability if injuries result in a situation with the impaired individual. Those helping those under 21 or those already intoxicated to obtain alcohol may be liable for injuries to the individual or others.

Harmful Effects of Drug and Alcohol Abuse

Manhattan School of Music believes that activities involving alcohol or illegal drugs have the potential to damage the quality of life at our institution in the following ways:

• By injuring the physiological and psychological well-being of individuals.
• By disrupting and endangering the welfare of those in the immediate environment of the illegal activity.
• By attracting criminal activity to the campus.

Manhattan School of Music discourages the irresponsible use of alcohol under any circumstances. Binge drinking—drinking several drinks in one sitting, often with the intent of getting drunk—is significantly associated with reduced academic/musical performance, property damage, injury (to oneself or others), and sexual assault. The use of drugs and alcohol adversely affects the student and employee’s health and is potentially a safety hazard to coworkers and other students. Persons will be held fully accountable for any actions they may take while intoxicated which violate the School’s standards of individual and group conduct.

The use of alcohol and all drugs, regardless of type, presents the risk of physical or psychological dependency. Every effort will be made by the School to help a student or an employee seeking and undertaking treatment or rehabilitation, although the decision to accept treatment is the responsibility of the employee or student. Individuals who do suffer from alcohol and drug addiction are not alone and can be helped. Students should see the Campus Health Nurse, room 105 or visit the Counseling Center, room 104 &106; employees should see the Vice President for Administration & Human Relations.

View PDF here.

View the policy here.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. They are:

• The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day the school receives a request for access. Students should submit to the Registrar or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The school official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
• The right to request the amendment of the student’s educational records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the school to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write to the school official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the school decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the school will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interest. A school official is a person employed by the institution in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the school has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, collection agent, or security guard); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or, when deemed appropriate, a student serving on an official committee (such as a disciplinary or grievance committee), assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks, or employed as a worker. Legitimate educational interest is defined as the determination of the right of a school official to review an educational record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. In addition, the official must be able to demonstrate that the review is directly related to the student’s educational welfare or the safety of the student and/or other members of the school community
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Manhattan School of Music to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
  • Family Policy Compliance Office
    U.S. Department of Education
    600 Independence Avenue, SW
    Washington, D.C. 20202-46055
• Schools may disclose, without consent, directory information including a student’s name, telephone numbers (permanent, primary, and cellular), addresses (including electronic mail), date and place of birth, major, honors (including Dean’s List), awards, photograph, classification, dates of enrollment, degrees conferred, dates of conferral, graduation, distinctions (including Dean’s List), and the institution attended immediately prior to admission. Students who wish to restrict the release of such information are required to notify the Office of the Registrar in writing within 10 days of the first day of the semester of enrollment. A request to withhold information may be submitted after the stated deadline, but information may be released between the deadline and receipt of the request.
• Furthermore, having read about the privacy issues mandated by FERPA, it should be understood that, in certain situations, the school may not be able to provide information that may be of interest to students, parents, staff, or faculty, etc. In addition to FERPA privacy rules, health care, and other privacy-related limitations may apply in some situations. For example, the school may not be able to provide all of the details and background related to an incident or accident involving a student. However, please be assured that the school takes great care to provide the school community with the information it needs for safety or other reasons, while at the same time respecting privacy rights.

Food and drinks are available for sale in the MSM Cafe and from vending machines in Andersen Hall (6th Floor Lounge and Basement Lounge).
Food and drinks are not allowed on any pianos or any other instruments in any room in the building.
Food and drinks are prohibited from certain areas of the campus: Greenfield Hall, Miller Recital Hall, Ades Performance Space, Bossi-Comelli Studio, Neidorff-Karpati Hall, Pforzheimer, Mikowsky Hall, Myers Recording Studio, Rahm Hall, piano lab, the libraries, Room 707, and during classes. Bottled water will be allowed in most areas of the building except the piano labs, library and the electronic studios, and some performance spaces. Students are asked to adhere to this policy with the necessary respect for the School’s property.

The Manhattan School of Music Good Samaritan policy is designed to protect the health and lives of students who over-consume alcohol/drugs to the point of needing medical help by assuring them that they will not be subject to disciplinary actions for obtaining that help.

It is imperative that someone call for medical assistance when an individual(s) experiences severe intoxication or a serious injury after consuming alcohol/drugs. People may be reluctant to seek help in such alcohol/drug-related emergencies because of potential judicial consequences for themselves, the person in need of assistance, or the organization hosting the event where the situation occurs. Since these emergencies are potentially life threatening, Manhattan School of Music seeks to reduce barriers to seeking assistance.

New York State Requirements for Attendance- Immunizations

New York State Public Health Law 2165 passed in June 1989 requires post-secondary students to demonstrate proof of immunization against measles, mumps, and rubella. The law applies to students born on or after January 1, 1957. Proof must be on file in the Registrar’s Office before entering the residence hall or starting enrollment for the 2018-19 academic year. Students without the proper immunity papers on file will not be allowed to attend or register for classes or enter a residence hall until immunization documents are received and approved by the Registrar. Students are encouraged to receive these vaccinations as well as a meningitis vaccination prior to their arrival. See the Admission Office for vaccination locations in New York.

Measles: Students must submit proof of immunity to measles. One of the following is required:

• The student must submit proof of two doses of live measles vaccine: the first dose given no more than 4 days prior to the student’s first birthday and the second at least 28 days after the first dose; or
• The student must submit serological proof of immunity to measles. This means the demonstration of measles antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory.

Mumps: Students must submit proof of immunity to mumps. One of the following is required:

• The student must submit proof of one dose of live mumps vaccine given no more than 4 days prior to the student’s first birthday; or
• The student must submit serological proof of immunity to mumps. This means the demonstration of mumps antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory; or
• The student must submit a statement from the diagnosing physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner that the student has had mumps disease.

Rubella: Students must submit proof of immunity to rubella. One of the following is required:

• The student must submit proof of one dose of live rubella vaccine given no more than 4 days prior to the student’s first birthday; or
• The student must submit serological proof of immunity to rubella. This means the demonstration of rubella antibodies through a blood test performed by an approved medical laboratory.

Meningococcal Disease: The institution is required to maintain a record of the following for each student:

• Certificate of Immunization for meningococcal meningitis disease; or
• A response to receipt of meningococcal meningitis disease and vaccine information signed by the student or the student’s parent or guardian.

Manhattan School of Music is committed to student health and to the safe use of prescription medications. Students who are prescribed medications are the only individuals permitted to use them, as prescribed, and are responsible for monitoring and securing their own medications. The usual elements and requirements of the Manhattan School of Music Drug and Alcohol Policy still apply in cases where a student has a medical marijuana prescription. Because Manhattan School of Music does not allow any form of marijuana in the form of smoking or vaping, any paraphernalia designed or used to ingest illegal drugs, including (but not limited to) bongs, roach clips, hookahs, vaporizers or pipes are not permitted in the residence hall. The use of synthetic substances or other items ingested for intoxication effect is also prohibited. If found, these items will be confiscated and not returned to the student. Providing illicit drugs, prescription medication, or other intoxicant to another, whether sharing, selling or trading, constitutes distribution, is unlawful and subject to disciplinary action, with sanctions up to or including expulsion.

Students who are prescribed medical marijuana must be prescribed under New York State Law. Licenses from states other than New York are not recognized at Manhattan School of Music. The School prohibits students from bringing medicinal marijuana prescribed in other states on campus or in the residence hall.

If a student has a prescription in the State of New York, that student is allowed to have and use medical marijuana in Andersen Hall under the following conditions:

• All medical marijuana must be in the form of a solid or semi preparation (capsules, chewable and effervescent tablets, lozenges), topical forms or transdermal patches.
• Qualified patients are allowed by law to possess no more than a 30–day supply of cannabis infused non-smokable products.
• All medical marijuana must be stored in the student’s room. Commuter students are prohibited from storing medical marijuana on campus.
• As stated in the Drug & Alcohol policy in the MSM Residence Handbook, “providing illicit drugs, prescription medication, or other intoxicant to another, whether sharing, selling or trading, constitutes distribution, is unlawful and subject to disciplinary action, with sanctions up to or including expulsion.”
• New York State Law prohibits the consumption of medical marijuana through vaporization at all public and private colleges. Due to this, as well as the no-smoking policy implemented in Andersen Hall, medical marijuana is not allowed to be smoked or vaped on campus. Failure to comply with this policy will result in judicial sanctions and possible legal sanctions.
• Guests are prohibited from using medical marijuana at Manhattan School of Music even if they have a medical marijuana card in the State of New York.

View the MSM Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Policy here.

The advertising, marketing, or merchandising of credit cards to Manhattan School of Music students is prohibited. As needed, Manhattan School of Music will educate students about good credit management practices through workshops, seminars, discussion groups, film presentations, or other means.

View the Scheduling and Practice Policies here.

Advisory Committee for Campus Safety 

The Advisory Committee for Campus Safety consists of a minimum of six members of the school community who have been appointed by the President. The Advisory Committee is comprised of students, staff, and faculty who strive to advise the school in order to maintain an environment that is safe for all who enter. The committee tries to operate in a proactive manner and strives to be appropriately reactive. This committee reviews current security policies, support services, and reporting mechanisms and makes written recommendations annually to the President. 

Campus Crime and Security Survey 

The Campus Crime and Security Survey is a compilation of the crimes reported at Manhattan School of Music each year. The Office of Student Engagement will provide upon request all campus crime statistics as reported to the United States Department of Education. For further information, you may visit the United States Department of Education’s website for campus crime statistics at: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/ 

This website will provide you information about the campus crime report that Manhattan School of Music submitted to the Department of Education. You may also contact the Associated Vice President of Facilities and Campus Safety at 917-493-4448 or the Director of Student Engagement at 917-493-4588. Hard copies of the campus crime statistics and other campus safety policies and procedures of the school can be obtained from the Office of Student Engagement. 

Identification Policy for Students, Faculty, Staff, and Visitors 

All students, faculty, and staff members are required to show School identification with a current validation sticker in order to gain entrance to the building. Only authorized visitors are allowed in the School. Students, faculty, and staff are responsible for the conduct of their visitors. 

Manhattan School of Music is committed to providing safety and security for all members of the community and the facilities of the School. Restricting unauthorized visitors helps maintain safety standards, protects against theft, ensures security of equipment, protects confidential information, and safeguards student, faculty, and staff welfare. 

Occasionally, 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, notify Security. 

In accordance with the New York State law on sexual assault passed in July 1990, Manhattan School of Music will not tolerate sexual offenses of any type. At the discretion of the School’s administration, a sanction of suspension or expulsion may be imposed on any student found by the school to have committed a sexual offense. The School educates students through bulletin boards, orientation activities, educational materials, presentations, and the Student Handbook. All of these are designed to decrease the potential for sexual assaults and to optimize respectful, consensual intimacy.

Definitions
The basic New York State definitions are as follows:

• “Sexual assault” is defined as sexual acts, including unwanted touching of sexual or other intimate parts of another person. Sexual assault includes forced sodomy, forced oral copulation, rape, rape by a foreign object, and sexual battery.
• “Rape” is defined as forced or nonconsensual sexual intercourse, which is accomplished by fear, threats of harm, and/or actual physical force. Rape may also include situations in which penetration is accomplished when the victim is incapable of consent or is prevented from giving consent or is prevented from resisting due to drug or alcohol consumption, being asleep, or otherwise being physically helpless, mentally defective, mentally incapacitated, or under 17 years of age. A stranger, an acquaintance, or even a friend can perpetrate rape.

Legal Penalties
Under New York Law, depending on the severity of the offense, sexual abuse, aggravated sexual misconduct, or any of the three degrees of rape may be punishable by a prison sentence of up to 25 years and/or a fine of up to $5,000.

In 2015, NY State asserted that colleges enforce a standard of affirmative consent on college campuses in the state.
Process and Procedure for reporting sexual assaults
Internal investigations and disciplinary matters related to sexual assault will be handled by Administration under the Title IX/Sexual Misconduct Policy.

To learn more about how MSM addresses sexual misconduct (including sexual assault), please see our Title IX Sexual Misconduct Policy at https://www.msmnyc.edu/msm-title-ix-sexual-misconduct-policy/

Manhattan School of Music, in compliance with the New York Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000, makes the following information available to the university community in order to afford the community with the opportunity to be aware of the condition of their environment concerning known sex offenders. This information is not to be used in any other fashion or for any other purpose. The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act description is listed below.

The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act, CSCPA, supplemented the Wetterling Act’s general standards for sex offender registration and community notification programs by enacting provisions which are more specifically designed to ensure that the members of campus communities have information available concerning the presence of registered sex offenders.

Manhattan School of Music will work with the 26th Precinct New York City Police Department to appropriately deal with situations related to registered sex offenders. Information about registered sex offenders can be obtained by the computer network address listed below.

The link regarding student notification of registered sex offenders is:
http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/hottopics/ht10-24-02.html

New York State’s website for registered sex offenders is:
http://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/nsor/

This site contains the New York State Sex Offender Registry information center. The following information is quoted from the site.

• “The Sex Offender Registration Act”, New York’s version of Megan’s Law, was signed by Governor George E. Pataki in July 1995 and became effective on January 21, 1996. The text of the statute is contained in Correction Law Article 6-C (Section 168 et seq.)
• Registered sex offenders in New York are classified by the risk of re-offense. A court determines whether an offender is a level 1 (low risk), 2 (moderate risk) or 3 (high risk). The court also determines whether an offender should be given the designation of a sexual predator, sexually violent offender, or predicate sex offender. Sex offenders registered on or after March 11, 2002 register for a minimum of 10 years unless they have been given a designation. If they have been given a designation, they register for life. Level 1 and 2 sex offenders registered prior to March 11, 2002 register for 10 years while level 3 offenders register for life.
• There are 4 ways to obtain information about sex offenders in New York State:
  • You can call 1-800-262-3257 to determine if someone is on the Registry. You will need the name of the offender and one of the following: an exact address, a complete date of birth, a driver’s license number or a social security number.
  • You can access the Subdirectory of Level 3 Sex Offenders on the website by clicking on the “Search for Level 3 Sex Offenders” button. You can search for level 3 offenders by name, county or zip code. Please note that a federal court injunction currently prohibits the release of information on this website concerning sex offenders who committed their crime prior to January 21, 1996 and were assigned a risk level prior to January 1, 2000.
  • The local law enforcement agency in the area that the offender currently resides can, if it chooses, release information on sex offenders residing in the community to “entities with vulnerable populations related to the nature of the offense”. The law enforcement agency can only release information on level 2 and level 3 offenders through this method. Also, while the exact address of level 3 offenders can be provided, the law provides that only an approximate address based on zip code can be provided for level 2 offenders. Please note that a federal court injunction currently prohibits the release of information through this method concerning sex offenders who committed their crime prior to January 21, 1996 and were assigned a risk level prior to January 1, 2000.
  • Each local law enforcement agency receives from the New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services a copy (electronically or on a CD ROM) of the Subdirectory of Level 3 Sex Offenders which is maintained on this site. Local law enforcement is required to maintain the Subdirectory for the public to view upon request.” (Information provided by: NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services, 2004).

Registered sex offenders must identify themselves to the Human Relations and Administration Office, the Admissions Office, Dean of Students Office, and the 26th Precinct before visiting any Manhattan School of Music institutional events or buildings. In addition, anyone applying for enrollment or a position on campus must self-identify as a sex offender and register with all the appropriate and required authorities including the 26th precinct and Manhattan School of Music.

The FERPA amendment makes it clear that FERPA does not prevent educational institutions from disclosing information about registered sex offenders enrollment or employment at institutions of higher education.

Manhattan School of Music’s commitment to provide a positive work and learning environment for all members of the MSM community extends to its smoking policy, which recognizes that all forms of tobacco products, including smokeless forms and e-cigarettes, pose serious health risks both to direct tobacco users and to those whose exposure is secondhand. The following policy has been enacted to address these health concerns.

Smoking is prohibited in both school-owned buildings; these include the student residence hall at 136 Claremont Avenue and the main building on 122nd Street. Smoking is also prohibited outdoors within the confines of the campus; this includes terraces and outdoor dining areas. For those who go outside the perimeter to smoke, the school asks that you do so at least 50 feet from MSM entrances and that you remain mindful of your proximity to office and residence hall windows, and to those passing by.

The areas near the School’s entrances and exits on both 122nd Street and Claremont Avenue have been designated as No Smoking areas. Smoking is permitted around the corner on Broadway just north of 122nd Street and across the street from the School’s campus on Claremont Avenue.
MSM is committed to assisting students, faculty, and staff in making healthy lifestyle choices.

Students are invited to visit the Student Engagement office for information on (and assistance with) smoking cessation programs, while interested faculty and staff may obtain information from the Human Relations Department. In addition, all residents of New York State can access related services via the New York State Quitline at 1-866-697-8487 or https://www.nysmokefree.com/.

In the interest of maintaining a proper business and academic environment and preventing interference with work, learning, and causing inconvenience to others, no individual or group may distribute literature or printed materials of any kind, sell merchandise, solicit financial contributions, or solicit for any other cause without the express authorization of a member of the Manhattan School of Music administration. This includes but is not limited to electronic communication, phone solicitation, and personal contact. Unauthorized solicitation should be reported promptly to the Office of Student Engagement or the Vice President for Administration and Human Relations. Students wishing to post or distribute flyers should contact the Office of Student Engagement for approval.

View PDF here.

School rooms and facilities including, but not limited to, private studios and practice rooms, may not be used for anything other than sanctioned school activities. Manhattan School of Music reserves the right to eject from the campus individual(s) who are misusing school rooms or facilities.

Unauthorized entry or attempted entry of students into School rooms or facilities during hours when such facilities are locked or closed to the student body and the public is prohibited. Failure or refusal to leave a School facility during or after normal operating hours, after being reasonably requested to do so by authorized school personnel, is similarly prohibited.

Student Use of Manhattan School of Music Facilities
Tuition payment provides access to Manhattan School of Music facilities only when classes are in session and does not include either the intercessions or summer vacation except as specifically outlined by the Scheduling Office via email preceding each break. In addition, college students have limited access to Manhattan School of Music facilities on Saturdays, when the Precollege Division is in session as well as during audition week for the College Division. In general, practicing privileges apply to MSM current students and not to alumni or the general public. Manhattan School of Music reserves the right to enforce reasonable rules for facilities usage at all times. Use of MSM facilities is limited to current students’ practicing. Current students are not allowed to use MSM facilities for their own private teaching.

Practice Rooms
Practice rooms, some equipped with studio upright or grand pianos, are available to students throughout the school year while school is in session. Information about reserving practice rooms is available in the Scheduling Office, room 407.

The School will not tolerate acts of violence to other persons by individuals or groups. Actions with reckless disregard for human life and safety or any act which places a person in fear or which has the effect of harassing or intimidating a person will not be tolerated. At the discretion of the School’s administration, a sanction up to and including suspension or expulsion may be imposed on a student found by the school to have committed such a violation on- or off-campus in accordance with the Code of Conduct and the Campus Judicial Process. By law, all violent felony offenses (excluding sexual offenses) on MSM property must be reported to law enforcement within 24 hours of being reported to the Institution.

Investigation of Violent Felony Offenses and Missing Persons

Manhattan School of Music works closely with the New York City 26th Precinct to investigate alleged violent felony offenses occurring at the school. There will be a coordinated effort to investigate alleged crimes and share information as appropriate. There will be a prompt investigation of all reports of violent felony offenses, as well as of missing students.

Missing Student Notification Policy and Procedures

The term “missing student,” for the purposes of this plan, shall refer to any Manhattan School of Music student, who resides in Andersen Hall, who has not been seen by friends, or associates, for a reasonable length of time, whose whereabouts has been questioned and brought to the attention of a member of the Student Affairs staff, including resident assistants. The School will initiate the following procedure once advised that a student is missing, with no reasonable explanation for his/her absence. Ordinarily, the procedure will be initiated after at least a 24-hour period will have elapsed after a normal or scheduled event for which the student’s presence has been expected. However, the School may waive the 24-hour period if circumstances warrant.

When registering online at the start of the Fall semester, students will be asked to identify a missing person contact person, whom the School shall notify if the student is determined missing. this contact information will be confidential and will be accessible only to authorized campus officials. In addition, the contact information shall not be disclosed, except to law enforcement personnel in furtherance of a missing person investigation.

In addition to the designated missing person contact, parents of students who are under 18 years of age and not emancipated will also be contacted if such student is missing.

Procedure

• All reports of missing or suspected missing resident students, are to be made to a member of the Dean of Students, Student Engagement staff, or Residence Life staff.
• The Student Affairs staff member will immediately notify the Director of Facilities and Campus Safety, or his/her designee, of the report. Together, the representatives from Student Affairs and Campus Safety shall investigate by, among other things: (i) making inquiries of roommates, residents living on the same floor and any other known associates of the suspected missing resident; (ii) accessing and reviewing the student’s academic schedule and ascertaining whether the student is attending classes; and (iii) attempting to ascertain whether the student has used his/her meal card or other School services.
• If these efforts meet with negative results, the School will promptly (but no later than 24 hours after the initial report) contact the missing student’s designated missing person contact. In addition, it the missing student is under 18 years of age and not emancipated, the student’s custodial parent or guardian shall also be contacted at this time. The designated emergency contact and/or parent/guardian will be apprised of the situation and asked whether they have any knowledge of the missing student’s whereabouts.
• If these efforts meet with negative results, the Director of Facilities and Campus Safety, or his/her designee, will promptly (but no later than 24 hours after the initial report) contact the New York City Police Department who will initiate an investigation and search based on their departmental policy and procedures. The New York City Police Department will be contacted regardless of whether the missing student has named a designated missing person contact (The New York City Police Department has a standard operating procedure in place to respond to missing persons).

View PDF here.

You can view the Student Grievance Resolution Process here.