Students may drop classes with no record of the class appearing
on the transcript for the first two weeks of classes as stated in the calendar.
Students
may withdraw from class with a grade of WD recorded through the middle of the
eleventh week of class as stated in the calendar.
Students who attend past
the last day to withdraw from a class must keep the class on their schedule and
they are subject to the grading policies as stated in the syllabus.
Students
who unofficially drop out of a class may apply for a retroactive withdrawal grade.
The student's eligibility for a grade of WD will be determined by the last date
of attendance in the class. Any student who attends and/or fails to withdraw from
a class on or after the first day of class is subject to the financial penalties
in effect at the time of formal withdrawal from the class.
No student will
be permitted to register for a class after the second week of classes.
Residents of Willoughby Residence Hall, Esther Lloyd Jones or Grand Avenue who are 21 years old or older can consume alcohol in the privacy of their residence hall room. Bulk alcohol (such as kegs and beer balls) is not permitted in residence hall student rooms. Additional information about the use of alcohol in the Residence Halls can be found in the Resident Student Guide.
Students who violate local, state and other laws regarding the possession, use and distribution of alcohol and other drugs off-campus are subject to Pratt Institute sanctions in addition to any criminal penalties that may exist. This applies to students who are on campus and under the influence of alcohol and other drugs resulting from off campus use.
- It is illegal to sell, deliver, or give away alcoholic beverages to persons actually or apparently under the age of 21. The penalty for doing so consists of a Class B misdemeanor and is punishable by up to 3 months in jail or a $500 fine (NY Alc. Bev. Cont. Law ~65).
- It is illegal for persons under 21 years of age to possess an alcoholic beverage with intent to consume. Penalties for unlawful possession include confiscation of the beverage, fines up to $50, mandatory completion of an alcohol awareness program, and an appropriate amount of community service not to exceed 30 hours. (NY Alc. Bev. Cont. Law~65-c).
- It is illegal for underage persons to purchase or attempt to purchase alcoholic beverages through fraudulent means, such as the use of false identification. Penalties for doing so include fines of up to $750, up to 30 hours of community service, completion of an alcohol awareness program, and an evaluation to determine whether the individual suffers from alcoholism. (NY Alc. Bev. Cont. Law~65).
- It is illegal to misrepresent the age of a person under 21 for purposes of inducing the sale of alcoholic beverages. Penalties include a fine of up to $200 and/or imprisonment for up to 5 days. (NY Alc. Bev. Cont. Law ~65-a).
- It is unlawful to possess, manufacture, prescribe, distribute, control, transport or sell controlled substances. A lengthy list of controlled substances can be found in ~3306 of the New York public Health Law. Criminal penalties for unlawful possession of a controlled substance vary according to the amount possessed, and range from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class A-1 felony (prison sentences can range from 1 year for small amounts to life for possession of four ounces). (NY Penal Code ~220-200-31).
- The penalties for the unlawful sale of controlled substances range from a Class D to a Class A felony, depending on the substance sold and the location where it is sold. (NY Penal Code ~220.310220.44).
- It is a Class A misdemeanor (punishable by imprisonment for up to 1 year) to possess, use, or sell hypodermic needles and other drug paraphernalia. (NY Penal Code ~220.45-220.55).
- It is illegal to use, possess, or sell marijuana (not considered a controlled substance in New York State, but it is considered a controlled substance under the federal law). Penalties range from 3 montahs to 15 years of imprisonment (NY Penal Code ~221).
attendance
and religious beliefs
Pratt Institute recognizes and
respects the diversity of its students and their respective religious obligations
and practices. The Institute will therefore make every effort to afford all individuals
appropriate opportunity to fulfill those religious obligations and practices.
With the concurrence of the appropriate deans and academic administrators, students
will have the opportunity to make up examinations that are missed because of religious
obligations and practices.
attendance policies
Faculty are required to take attendance for all students
in all course sections. Updated attendance rosters are produced
four times per term, usually once per month. Faculty are required
to submit completed attendance rosters to the Registrar's
Office for permanent storage. Attendance records are used
for several purposes including the evaluation of late requests
for withdrawal and determination of last date of attendance
for the proper return of Title IV moneys to the government.
The
continued registration of any student is contingent upon regular attendance, the
quality of work and proper conduct. Irregular attendance, neglect of work, failure
to comply with Institute rules and official notices or conduct not consistent
with general good order are regarded as sufficient reasons for dismissal.
There
are no unexcused absences or cuts. Students are expected to attend all classes.
Any unexcused absences may affect the final grade. Three unexcused absences may
result in course failure at the discretion of the instructor.
career
services
Career Services at Pratt is one of the
unique experiences of the Pratt education. Faculty may refer students to their
office for: career counseling and academic advisement; resume and portfolio development;
screened job referrals and internships; on-campus recruiting; an on-line job referral
and career information system located at http://www.pratt.edu/career; Career Library;
field-related workshops; and resource lists and publications written especially
for their field of study.
class rosters
In accordance with college policy and Department of Education
regulations, faculty are required to maintain daily attendance
in all classes.
When using class
roster sheets, please observe the following guidelines:
- You are required
to submit attendance on these sheets. Department or faculty-generated sheets will
not be accepted as replacements for official rosters.
- Please make
sure that the numbers for the month and date (ex. 1/31) appear at the top of each
column.
- If you are teaching courses that meet in two parts (ex. FDC
143A and FDC 143B, or PHYS 116 and PHYS 116L) you are required to submit attendance
rosters for both sections.
- Attendance should be marked using the
following symbols:
X
Present
A
Absent
L
Late
- The top copy should be turned in to your department after the
last meeting date that falls within the effective dates at the top of the roster.
Keep the bottom copy for your records.
- Rosters will be collected
by the department and forwarded to the Registrar's Office.
Please
contact the Registrar's Office, 718-636-3663, or your department if you have any
questions about the information contained in these class lists, or about your
responsibilities with regard to them.
computer and Network
resources
Excerpted from the pamphlet “Responsible Use of
Computer and Network Resources at Pratt,” 2005
Pratt's policy
on computer and network resources is intended to:
- protect the Institute
against legal or other negative consequences;
- prevent the posting of illegal
software and other copyrighted materials;
- secure the integrity of its
computers, networks and data, and those with approved access to its network;
- ensure
rules governing computer and network use comply with and support other Institute
rules and codes of conduct.
What is the policy and how does
it affect me?
All members of the Pratt community
are expected to use Pratt's computer and network resources in a responsible manner.
The Institute's policies are clear as to the consequences of misuse of these resources.
In
the event of violations of institutional policies or codes, or of state or federal
laws, the Institute reserves the right to limit or restrict computing privileges
and access to its computer resources and stored data.
All users are expected
to understand and abide by the regulations set forth in this pamphlet as a condition
for receiving an authorized account with the Institute.
Who Is
Affected by this Policy?
This policy applies to any member of the
Pratt community who accesses computer or network resources through any Institute
facility or through the network or dial-in facilities.
What Do You
Mean by the Pratt Network?
Pratt provides network access through
its data cabling plant to all residence hall rooms, administrative offices, and
computer labs. In addition, network access is available in the offices and computer
classrooms at Pratt Manhattan and by dial-in access via modem.
Pratt (pratt.edu)
is a registered, directly connected domain on the Internet, gaining access via
NYSERNet, our upstream provider. All Pratt computer users connected to the local
network share equally in the benefits and responsibilities of our greater Internet
connectivity.
Your Responsibilities as a Pratt System User
As
a user of Pratt's computer resources you are responsible for the following:
- creating, securing, and remembering individual passwords;
- adhering
to quotas and file size restrictions on shared systems and processes;
- backing
up and safekeeping of all data files;
- obeying Institute policies and state
and federal laws;
- recognizing that user activity reflects on both the
individual and the Institute;
- respecting and protecting other's privacy
as well as your own.
Your Responsibilities as a Pratt System
Administrator
As a Pratt system administrator you are responsible
for the following:
- performing periodic security surveys to ensure
that shared systems are protected to a reasonable degree;
- treating all
user's files as private and confidential;
- obtaining written permission
from a designated officer of the Institute prior to examining any user files;
- obtaining
written permission from a designated officer of the Institute prior to restricting
or disabling any user account;
- performing maintenance as necessary to
help ensure uninterrupted service;
- performing scheduled backups of shared
systems but without specific responsibility for the integrity of the data housed
on those systems;
- executing the technical enforcement of this policy in
cooperation with the appropriate authorities;
- ensuring that all user accounts
meet Pratt eligibility requirements.
Standard Procedures that
are Followed at All Times
Pratt Institute does not monitor the content
or generally restrict access to its computers or networks, including privately
owned computers in residence hall locations. However, Pratt reserves the right
to monitor activity within its domain, and limit or deny access when:
- network activity is reported that violates Institute policies, or state or
federal laws;
- a report is received that materials are posted on Pratt-owned
computers, or computers inside the Pratt domain, that violate Institute policies,
or state or federal laws;
- an incident is reported of the commercial use
of Pratt-owned computers, or computers inside the Pratt domain, if the commercial
activity uses Pratt's network services.
Policy Violations
of which You Should Be Aware
Violations of the computer usage policy
may include using Institute computers or networks to do the following:
- harass, threaten, libel, slander, or otherwise cause harm to individuals or
groups whether by direct or indirect means;
- destroy or damage hardware,
software, or data belonging to the Institute or its members;
- disrupt the
activities of others through the unauthorized monitoring of electronic communications;
- copy,
download, or transmit across Pratt's network illegal, proprietary, or unauthorized
copyright-protected material;
- use Pratt's trademarks, logos, or copyrights
without prior approval;
- execute software programs that harass other users,
infiltrate computers or computing systems, damage or alter software components
of a computer or computing system, or introduce computer viruses;
- gain
unauthorized access to other systems, facilities, or data either directly or via
the network;
- tamper with others' files, storage media, passwords, and
accounts;
- in any way misrepresent yourself when sending messages or engaging
in conferences;
- conduct any commercial activity over the Pratt network;
- use
e-mail to solicit sales or conduct business such as setting up a web page to advertise
or sell a service, or posting an advertisement to a news group;
- violate
any state or federal law.
Report Violations Immediately -
It's for Your Own Protection
All reports of possible violations of
this policy will be acted upon quickly and with confidentiality and discretion.
Should you believe that a violation of this policy has occurred, immediately report
the incident to the Director of Academic Computing. In addition, contact Pratt
security if you believe that an individual's health or safety may be in jeopardy.
How
Your Complaint Will Be Handled
Once a complaint is received, the
Director of Academic Computing may request authorization to access information
contained in the alleged offender's account and, if warranted, to suspend the
account until the matter is resolved.
Access to and suspension of accounts
must be recorded and the alleged offender notified as soon as possible.
If
the complaint appears to have merit, the Vice President of Student Affairs or
Director of Human Resources and Director of Academic Computing will meet with
the alleged offender and follow the Institute's judicial procedural guidelines.
Consequences of Violations
Pratt reserves the right
to monitor, restrict or deny access to its computers and networks in the event
of a violation of this or other Institute policies, or of state and federal law.
As stated above, penalties will be administered in accordance with established
Institute guidelines. Pratt will cooperate with outside law enforcement agencies
in the investigation of criminal activity occurring within the Pratt domain.
Additional
Standards Apply to All Pratt Web Sites
All Pratt web sites, whether
representing the Institute or its individual departments and organizations, are
required to adhere to the following standards:
- provide at least one
link between organizational home pages and the Institute's home page (http://www.pratt.edu);
- secure
the approval of Institutional Advancement to use the Pratt Institute logo;
- display
a full and accurate description of a department or service when publishing via
the Institute home page (such descriptions may be obtained from the Bulletin,
the Student Handbook, etc.);
- ensure that the home page contains a “contact”
e-mail address and a last “modified” time stamp;
- maintain
up-to-date and accurate home page information;
- ensure that the highest
editorial standards are maintained;
- ensure that the Pratt Institute web
page documents contain officially recognized names of departments and titles of
personnel.
course evaluations
Policies
regarding course evaluations are established in each school and are available
from the department chair or from the school dean's office.
Drug
Policies
See Alcohol and Substance Abuse Section.
Equal
Opportunity Policies
Excerpted from policies available in the Human
Resources Office, 2005
Inherent in the Human Rights Policy is
Pratt's commitment to the principles of equal opportunity. These principles pertain
to students, faculty, staff and applicants for admission or employment, and are
observed in admissions, financial assistance, housing, educational programs, extra-curricular
activities, employment and personnel policies. Pratt complies with Title IX of
the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Vocational Rehabilitation
Act of 1973 and their respective implementing regulations, in that it provides
equal opportunity in admissions and access to all programs and activities it operates,
regardless of sex or handicap. For additional information contact the Department
of Human Resources.
exam policies
Policies regarding
examinations are established in each school and are available from the department
chair or from the school dean's office.
grade disputes
Excerpted from the 2005-2006 Pratt Student Handbook
A student’s
academic records reflect all grades for all registered courses as submitted by
instructors. If there is any question about a grade that was received, a student
should contact the instructor immediately. Only grade changes properly filled
out, approved, and submitted directly to the Office of the Registrar will be accepted
for changes.
There are limits on the time allotted to resolve grade problems.
Spring and summer grades cannot be changed after the last day of the following
fall term. Fall grades cannot be changed after the last day of the following spring
term. INC (incomplete) and NR (no record) grades are converted to “Fs”
at the end of the semester after they are received, or following the INC expiration
date agreed to in the INC application.
A student who believes he or she
was graded unfairly should seek to resolve the matter with the instructor. Should
this procedure not prove to be an adequate resolution, the student should contact
the Chairperson of the department in which the course was taken to arrange a meeting
to appeal the grade. If this appeal is unsuccessful, a further and final appeal
can be made to the Dean of the School in which the course was taken, unless the
student believes that a violation of Pratt’s policy on Human Rights was
involved in the awarding of the final grade. In that case, the student may seek
redress through the procedures in place under that policy. It is important to
note that the faculty member who issued the grade holds the authority to change
the grade.
grading policies
Grades are due from faculty to the department chairperson
no later than 48 hours after the last scheduled class meeting
or final exam. Grades are immediately sent from the department
chairperson to the Registrar. Faculty are not to write in
the names of any students who attended their class without
proper registration. Any missing grades will be recorded as
“NG” (No Grade) and the students will be directed
to seek the grade from the faculty member/department directly.
Grades are forwarded by the Registrar to students 48 hours
after receipt from the department chair.
Departments
and schools may have established policies on turning in grade books. Please inquire.
guidelines
for completion and return of grade sheets
Please follow these guidelines
when filling out and returning grade sheets. This will enable the Registrar to
process the grades quickly and accurately. Please remember that late or missing
grades can prevent students from being able to graduate or continue their education.
- Check all forms carefully for student and instructor data.
- In the
column called “final grade,” use ball-point ink pen to write the grade.
- If
a student's name is missing from the roster, do not add the name or record a grade.
If the student (or your department) shows you proof that he or she has registered,
you will be able to submit the grade on a Change of Grade form.
- The top
copy of your grade sheet is due to your department chairperson by the stated deadline.
Grade sheets may initially be faxed to your department chairperson, but the originals
must be forwarded for permanent storage as quickly as possible afterward.
- Use
the following grade definitions to record the appropriate grade for each student:
| | Grade | | Comments |
 | | | |
| | A | | Excellent |
| | A- | | Excellent |
| | B+ | | Above Average |
| | B | | Above
Average |
| | B- | | Above Average |
| | C+ | | Acceptable |
| | C | | Acceptable |
| | C- | | Acceptable for undergraduates, recorded
as F for graduates. |
| | D+ | | Acceptable
for undergraduates, recorded as F for graduates. |
| | D | | Acceptable
for undergraduates, recorded as F for graduates. |
| | D- | | Acceptable
for undergraduates, recorded as F for graduates. |
| | F | | Failure |
| | INC | | Incomplete - requires written request of
the student. (See bulletin description) |
| | IP | | In
Progress - appropriate only for thesis, thesis-in-progress, and intensive study
English. |
| | NR | | No Record - Student
appears on roster but never attended. (Use sparingly!) |
The entire staff of the Registrar's office thanks you in advance for your time
and attention concerning these forms. If, at any time, you have a question or
require assistance, please do not hesitate to contact your chairperson or the
Registrar at 718-636-3666 or the Registrar's Senior Records Manager at 718-636-3534.
FERPA—STUDENT
RIGHT TO PRIVACY REMINDER:
Students are guaranteed privacy by federal law.
Grades are not permitted to be posted in any format.
grants,
funding and support
Stage 1: Initial contact and lead sharing
The initial step in the
grant proposal process begins with an idea for a special project or solution to
a perceived need by faculty and/or staff. At this point, the faculty or staff
member should discuss the project/idea with his or her own supervisors (chair,
dean, provost, etc.). If the project is approved at this level then Institutional
Advancement is involved for assistance in finding potential funding sources, writing,
assembling, processing and submitting the proposal.
Stage 2: Proposal
development
When sufficient discussion has occurred a decision is
made regarding continuation of the process. Prospective proposals may not move
forward for a variety of reasons (i.e., insufficient time available for the development
and writing of the proposal, something which would either prohibit successful
completion or legal issues, lack of potential funding sources, etc.). However,
many concepts or ideas can be successfully developed as grant proposals.
Proposals
are categorized under four possible areas:
- Programmatic - Often directly
connected with academic programs at the Institute though not necessarily.
- Specific Scholarships - Often either a dean or chair will seek scholarship
money to support graduate or undergraduate students.
- Unrestricted
Scholarships - Solicited to provide financial relief to the operating budget with
respect to institutionally budgeted financial aid.
- Capital Projects
- Often referred to as “bricks and mortar” and/or equipment for buildings,
classrooms and the like.
Stage 3: Approval, Signature
Upon completion of the proposal package the material is given a final review and
presented for approval. Though it is presumed that there is approval for the proposal
in concept the final proposal must be reviewed and signed-off on by appropriately
designated persons at the Institute. If it is a programmatic proposal approval
must be secured from both the provost and president. After having obtained appropriate
signatures the proposal is submitted to the appropriate funding source, i.e.,
federal agency, state agency, foundation or other.
Stage 4: Grant
management
Notification of approval or rejection of the grant application
is forwarded to the President's Office or the Office of Institutional Advancement.
Grant
Management is divided into four basic components:
- Deposit of funding
- The Office of Institutional Advancement serves as the central collection point
for the receipt of all donations, contributions and grant funding. Should funds
arrive in advance of the establishment of an appropriate account the controller
places the funds in a holding account.
- Establishment of an appropriate
account - As with all funds within the Institute, an appropriate account must
be established in order to provide the Institute and the project director with
the ability to monitor expenditures and charges against the project fund and determine
the correct balance remaining.
- Management of the project - Usually
a grant-funded project is managed by someone designated to be responsible for
the oversight and completion of the project. In the case of a grant application
a project director is assigned--usually the individual who initiated the process
and applied for the grant.
- Grant reporting - Outside granting agencies
virtually always require annual or final (and in some cases interim) reports on
the progress of a funded project. The Office of Institutional Advancement coordinates
the effort of filing reports. However the Project Director is responsible for
gathering the required assessment information.
Harassment,
Sexual
Pratt Institute's mission
is to educate men and women to become creative, responsible professionals who
will contribute fully to society. The Institute upholds values and standards that
support that mission, and maintains high expectations regarding the conduct of
its students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Therefore, the Institute is
committed to providing a learning and working environment in which all interpersonal
relationships are based upon respect and dignity and are free from sexual harassment.
It is the Institute's policy that sexual harassment in any form will not be tolerated.
Administrators, staff, faculty and students are all responsible for taking reasonable
and necessary action to prevent and eliminate sexual harassment. This policy applies
to all members of the Pratt community, who are encouraged to promptly report conduct
that could be in violation of this policy. Persons found to be in violation of
the sexual harassment policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action
up to and including termination of employment of employees, and suspension or
expulsion of students.
Designation of Responsible Official
In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ("Title IX"),
the Institute has designated a Title IX/Section 504 coordinator. The office is
located at Engineering, Room 111, and the phone number is (718) 636-3542. The
Coordinator is available to assist all members of the Institute's community with
questions and concerns regarding their rights under Title IX and the Institute's
Human Rights Policy and Sexual Harassment Policy.
Definition of
Prohibited Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment may involve the behavior
of a person of either sex against a person of the same or opposite sex. It can
occur between or among students, faculty, staff and administrators. Unwelcome
sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct
of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:
- submission to
such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an
individual's employment, academic advancement or access to the rights, privileges,
programs and activities generally accorded or made available to the academic community;
- submission
to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for employment or academic
and other collegiate decisions affecting such individual; or;
- such conduct
has the purpose or effect of interfering with an individual's welfare, academic
or work performance, productivity, physical security, participation in living
arrangements, extracurricular activities, academic or career opportunities, services
or benefits of institutional programs, or creates an intimidating, hostile, offensive
or demeaning educational or work environment.
What Can You
Do If You Are Being Harassed?
Pratt Institute has an established
procedure to receive, investigate and resolve sexual harassment complaints. A
person who believes that he/she has been the victim of sexual harassment should
take the following actions:
- Immediately advise the harasser that he/she
disapproves of his or her behavior and that it should stop. Alternatively, advise
the appropriate Institute officials (enumerated below), or the harassing behavior.
- Promptly report this conduct to the appropriate Institute official. The
Institute official will assist the complainant in recording his/her recollection
of the event or events that comprise the grievance. Employees should report to
either the director of Human Resources (Thrift, second floor, 718-636-3787), or
the Title IX/Section 504 coordinator/assistant director of Campus Security (Engineering,
Room 111, 718-636-3542). Students should report to either the vice president for
Student Affairs (Main Building, first floor, 718-636-3639) or the Title IX/Section
504 coordinator/assistant director of Campus Security. In all reported instances,
a thorough and fair investigation will take place, protecting the rights and dignity
of all parties involved.
- The alleged harasser will the be interviewed
by the appropriate Institute official (i.e. the director of Human resources or
the Title IX/Section 504 coordinator if the complainant is a employee; the vice
president for Student Affairs or the Title IX/Section 504 coordinator if the complainant
is a student). The alleged harasser will be informed that a complaint has been
filed, and given the opportunity to respond to the allegations raised by the complainant.
The Institute may conduct a further investigation as circumstances require.
- Once the interviews of the complainant and the alleged harasser have
occurred, and any additional investigation concluded, the appropriate Institute
official(s) will consult with the parties in an effort to teach a satisfactory
resolution of the complaint. The Institute will the render its decision.
- If
either party is dissatisfied with the Institute's decision, he/she may file an
appeal of the decision of the director of Human Resources, the vice president
for Student Affairs or the Title IX/Section 504 coordinator. The appeal must be
filed in writing with one of the appropriate Institute officials (enumerated in
the section above), within twenty (20) working days after the date the decision
is rendered. The matter will be referred to the Institute's Advisory Sub-Committee
on Sexual Harassment. After a review of the record, the Advisory Sub-Committee
on Sexual Harassment will issue a recommendation to the president of the Institute.
The president will review the Committee's recommendation and issue a statement
indicating the final decision and the action to be taken by the Institute.
Health
and Counseling Services
For information regarding health and counseling
services for faculty, contact the Human Resources Office.
human
rights policies
Pratt Institute's community is one of diversity, which is a hallmark of an
urban academic environment. The Institute is committed to the recognition and
preservation of each individual's human rights and does not discriminate on the
basis of gender, race, color, religion or creed, marital status, age, sexual orientation,
status as a Vietnam era veteran, political beliefs, disability, citizenship, and
national or ethnic origin with respect to the rights, privileges, programs, and
activities generally accorded or made available to all members of its academic
community. Such rights, privileges, programs, and activities include, but are
not limited to, employment at the Institute, admissions, financial aid, scholarships,
access to housing, education programs, co-curricular activities, and participation
in athletic programs.
The Institute upholds the values and standards that
support this human rights policy, and, as such, maintains high expectations regarding
the conduct of its students, faculty, staff, and administration. This policy applies
uniformly to all members of the Institute's community, who are encouraged to promptly
report problems or matters that could be in violation of this policy. Persons
found in violation of this policy shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary
action up to and including the suspension or termination of employment of employees,
and suspension or expulsion of students.
ID Cards - Security
Office
Faculty will receive an
Identification Authorization form at the time they complete new-hire paperwork
in the Human Resources Department. Within a day or two, make an appointment to
have your picture taken for an identification (I.D.) card. You must carry it with
you whenever you are on the Pratt campus or using Pratt facilities. Further, you
are required to produce this card when requested by an authorized person, such
as Security or an administrator/faculty person responsible for a facility. The
card will enable you to utilize all campus facilities and services and will identify
you as a part of the campus community.
You will need the card to borrow
books from the library, utilize the ARC Activities Center/Gymnasium and equipment,
and benefit from other campus services. I.D. cards must be validated for each
semester. I.D. cards without a current validation will be considered to have expired
and cannot be used for campus services and privileges. Validations can be obtained
in-person in the Security Office (Engineering 111).
Lost/stolen ID cards
should be cancelled through the Security Office as soon as possible. I.D. cards
will be replaced free of charge providing that a police report has been filed
at the precinct of occurrence and Security can verify that with a police complainant
number. The first lost card will be replaced free; thereafter a $25 fee will be
applicable. The replacement fee is payable at the Bursar's Office. Please bring
the receipt to the Security Office where your new card will be prepared.
International
Affairs
The primary mission of the Office of
International Affairs (OIA) is to centralize resources for all international concerns
for the Pratt community at large.
The Office of International Affairs (OIA)
coordinates services for international students, exchange students, professors,
scholars, and their dependents. The OIA assists members of the Pratt international
community with all matters of special concern to them and serves as a referral
source to other institute offices and academic departments. OIA staff members
provide direct support with immigration issues, employment authorization, and
financial, cross-cultural and personal matters. The OIA presently serves a population
of over 1,000 students and scholars from 66 countries who consider this office
to be their vehicle for guiding them successfully through Pratt's system.
Judicial
Process for Students
We at
Pratt Institute have high expectations regarding social and academic conduct,
and we expect everyone to value and uphold the community standards essential to
the pursuit of academic excellence and social responsibility. These standards
are listed in the Bulletin, the Student Handbook, and pamphlets that detail policies
relating to the use of computer technology, sexual assault and harassment, alcohol
and drugs, and human rights, particularly those concerning persons with disabilities.
Academic
Integrity Code and the Pratt Judicial Process
Absolute integrity
is expected of every member of the Pratt community in all academic matters, particularly
with regard to academic honesty. The latter includes plagiarism and cheating.
In addition, the continued registration of any student is contingent upon regular
attendance, the quality of work and proper conduct. Irregular class attendance,
neglect of work, failure to comply with Institute rules and official notices or
conduct not consistent with general good order are regarded as sufficient reasons
for dismissal. The faculty member and/or the Academic Integrity Board adjudicate
cases of academic infractions. The Board does not hear grade disputes because
these receive a final review at the level of the school dean. Students and faculty
are expected to be familiar with and observe academic standards and policies as
well as the procedures to address infractions or resolve disputes. A full description
of these policies and procedures may be found in the Student Handbook and the
Bulletin.
How Are Academic Integrity Cases Handled?
Alleged Academic Integrity Code violations may be adjudicated directly by faculty
members and/or they may be referred to the Academic Integrity Board. The Board
is composed of faculty members, academic administrators, and students. For alleged
Social Conduct Code violations, faculty and academic administrators are urged
to send an incident report to the vice president for Student Affairs who will
follow appropriate procedures.
What Are the Penalties in these
Kinds of Cases?
If the faculty member chooses the first alternative
and determines that the student violated the Academic Integrity Code he or she
may impose the following sanctions:
- Ask the student to repeat the
assignment
- Impose a lower or failing grade for the particular assignment
- Assign
a lower or failing grade for the course.
In addition to a sanction,
the faculty member must report the incident to the registrar. The incident will
be recorded in the student’s non-permanent file. More than one reported
incident to the registrar during a student’s program of study at Pratt will
result in a a hearing before the Academic Integrity Board. If a faculty member
deems a violation to be serious enough, he or she may refer the incident directly
to the Academic integrity Board for adjudication. Whether an allegation is brought
before the Academic Integrity Board for repeated violations or is referred at
once by the faculty member, if the student is found in violation, the Board may
impose the following sanctions:
- Grade sanctions, including the assignment
of a lower or failing grade in the course
- Recommend suspension from the
Institute to the provost
- Recommend dismissal from the Institute to the
provost
How Does the Academic Conduct Appeal Process Work?
Students have the right to appeal the decision of a faculty member
to the Academic Integrity Board and the decision of the Board to the provost.
Specific guidelines ensure that a timely and fair review take place when
a decision of a faculty member or the Academic Integrity Board is appealed. In
the latter case, the provost’s decision is final. The appeal must touch
upon one of the following key issues:
- Did the Academic Integrity Board
conduct itself in such a way that both parties (faculty member and student) had
an adequate opportunity to prepare their case?
- Was the evidence presented
at the hearing “substantial” enough to justify a decision?
- If
the penalty is being appealed, was the sanction imposed in keeping with the gravity
of the violation?
The composition of the Academic Integrity Board
and its procedures, including appeal procedures, are detailed in the document
Pratt Community standards: Judicial Procedures. This document is available
in various offices, including the provost, the school deans, the vice president
for Student Affairs, the director of Human Resources and the director of Residential
Life and Housing.
library use by faculty
The Pratt Institute
Library is a private facility for the use of students, faculty, and staff with
valid Pratt identification. Alumni and Friends of the library need to show current
ID provided by the Institute. Members of the Academic Libraries of Brooklyn group
are welcome with appropriate identification. Other outside researchers are admitted
by appointment only.
Loan Period
Books, pictures and
some government documents circulate for four weeks to faculty. Patrons may have
a maximum of ten items on loan at any one time. Patrons may place holds on material
that is checked out. Once it is returned, it will be held for them at the circulation
desk.
Renewals and Returns
Books, pictures and some
government documents circulate for four weeks to faculty. Patrons may have a maximum
of ten items on loan at any one time. Patrons may place holds on material that
is checked out. Once it is returned, it will be held for them at the circulation
desk.
Lost Book Charges
Items one month overdue will
be considered lost by the patron. Patrons will be charged the replacement cost
plus a $15 processing fee.
Reserves
Materials for
course assignments and certain other heavily used items (Manhattan Sanborn MAC
computer manuals, etc.) are held at the Circulation Desk. They may be checked
out for two-hour in-library use. Request by call number for books or by instructor's
name for articles. Fines for overdue reserve material are $0.50 per item per hour.
Other Library Rules
Eating, drinking, and smoking
are not permitted in the Library. Please be gentle with library materials. They
are the Institute's property. There are severe penalties for theft or mutilation
of library property. For your own protection, do not leave your property unattended
while in the Library.
Electronic Resources
PrattCat
is the Online Public Access Catalog of the holdings of Pratt Library. This computerized
system includes the catalog of books and multimedia holdings. PrattCat is available
at many terminals within the library. Pratt Library also has other electronic
resources, available at Internet workstations in the first and second floor reading
rooms. The Pratt Library Web site offers many of these resources online, including
PrattCat.
Locating Books
Find call numbers and locations
using PrattCat. Most of the Library's books are shelved in call number order in
the glass-floored stack area behind the elevator. A floor plan and stack guide
are available for more details about the physical arrangement of library materials.
Locating
Periodicals
The library subscribes to more than 500 periodicals (magazines,
journals, and newspapers), divided among the three departments: Information/Reference
(R), Art & Architecture (AR), and Library & Information Science (LS).
Refer to the ‘yellow book,' kept at each reference desk, for details about
holdings and locations. Pratt Library has a variety of indexes, both printed and
electronic, to help identify and locate articles.
Multi-Media Center
The Multi-Media Center is located in the lower level reading room of the Library.
Films, video-cassettes, and other media can be borrowed from the Multi-Media Center.
Materials circulate from the Multi-Media Center for 24 hours. Campus Audio Visual
Services, located in room 31E of the Engineering Building, lends A/V equipment
to members of the Pratt community.
Picture Files
The
picture files, located on the third floor, contain images, photographs, and clippings
that may be borrowed twenty at a time, and art reproductions that may be borrowed
five at a time. Find specific images in the picture files with the subject index.
Visual Resources Center
The Visual Resources Center,
on the second floor, houses a large collection of art, architecture, and design
slides. Students may borrow slides for a three-day period. The Visual Resources
Center also has two scanner-equipped workstations, one for the Macintosh platform
and one for Windows, two slide scanners, a copy stand, and a camera, available
by appointment only.
Copying
The copy machines in
the library are self-service and serviced by an outside vendor. Coins or copy
cards may be used. Free scanners are available in the Visual Resources Center,
3rd floor.
parking policies
The
Pratt Campus is designated as private property and the use of the roadways and
parking areas are a privilege restricted to persons who have a direct and legitimate
relationship with the Institute. The object of these regulations is to provide
more effective and convenient use for all. Parking is permitted only in designated
areas. Regulations are enforced throughout the year, including vacation periods.
Any
questions pertaining to the regulations must be directed to the Security Office,
as we are not responsible for information given out by others. All motor vehicles
to be parked on campus must be registered with the Security Office and properly
display a current permit. Inquire in the Security Office for information about
the cost of the permit each academic year. Permits must be hung on the rear view
mirror. The expiration date is located on the permit. It is the responsibility
of the person who registers a vehicle to ensure that the permit is displayed at
all times while parked on campus and is clearly visible. All updates of vehicle
registrations must be reported to Security. Motorcycles are subject to the same
regulations as other vehicles. They are restricted from “revving-up”
in the areas of classrooms due to the noise level.
Parking areas designated
for parking, as established by the regulations of the Institute, are the only
legal parking areas on campus. All other areas, whether marked or not, are illegal.
Lock your vehicle and conceal all valuables. The Institute assumes no responsibility
for vehicles or their contents on campus property. Any incident must be reported
to the Security Office immediately. Parking violations are issued when necessary.
Repeated
violations may result in the loss of parking privileges and/or the vehicle may
be towed by a commercial towing service at the owner's expense. Vehicles without
permits displayed so they can be easily viewed by officers may be towed without
notice. All permit holders will be responsible for their permit number regardless
of what vehicle it is displayed in. There is a $25 replacement fee for lost or
stolen permits.
plagiarism
Plagiarism means presenting,
as one’s own, the words, the work, information, or the opinions of someone
else. It is dishonest, since the plagiarist offers, as his/her own, for credit,
the language, or information, or thought for which he/she deserves no credit.
Plagiarism
occurs when one uses the exact language of someone else without putting the quoted
material in quotation marks and giving its source. (Exceptions are very well-known
quotations, from the Bible or Shakespeare, for example.) In formal papers, the
source is acknowledged in a footnote; in informal papers, it may be put in parentheses,
or made a part of the text: “Robert Sherwood says...”
This first
type of plagiarism, using without acknowledging the language of someone, is easy
to understand and to avoid: When a writer uses the exact words of another writer,
or speaker, he/she must put those words in quotation marks and give their source.
A
second type of plagiarism is more complex. It occurs when the writer presents,
as his/her own, the sequence of ideas, the arrangement of material, or the pattern
of thought of someone else, even though he/she expresses it in his/her own words.
The language may be his/hers, but he/she is presenting as his/her work, and taking
credit for, the work of another. He/she is, therefore, guilty of plagiarism if
he/she fails to give credit to the original author of the pattern of ideas.
Students
writing informal theses, in which they are usually asked to draw on their own
experience and information, can guard against plagiarism by a simple test.
They
should be able to honestly answer “no” to the following questions:
- Am I deliberately recalling any particular source of information as I write
this paper?
- Am I consulting any source as I write this paper?
If
the answer to these questions is no, the writer need have no fear of using sources
dishonestly.
The material in his/her mind, which he/she will transfer to his/her
written page, is genuinely digested and his/her own. The writing of a research
paper presents a somewhat different problem for here the student is expected to
gather materials from books and articles read for the purpose of writing the paper.
In the careful research paper, however (and this is true of term papers in all
college courses), credit is given in footnotes for every idea, conclusion, or
piece of information that is not the writer’s own; and the writer is careful
not to follow closely the wording of the sources they have read. If the writer
wishes to quote, they must put the passage in quotation marks and give credit
to the author in the footnote; but they write the bulk of the paper in their own
words and their own style, using footnotes to acknowledge the facts and ideas
they had taken from their reading.*
Political Activities and Political
Campaigns
Pratt institute's Guidelines
for Participation
in Political Activities and Political Campaigns
I. Introduction
Pratt Institute is a not-for-profit
organization, exempt from Federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code. Among other benefits, Pratt’s exemption from Federal taxation
enables its donors to make tax-exempt contributions to the Institute.
Section
501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code contains many conditions which a tax-exempt
organization must adhere to in order to maintain its tax-exempt status. One such
condition prohibits organizations from participating in, or intervening in, any
political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office.
The condition also prohibits the administration, faculty and staff members of
the organization from using Pratt’s name, money or other Pratt resources
to participate in, or intervene in, any political campaign on behalf of, or in
opposition to any candidate for public office. These prohibitions are ABSOLUTE,
and failure to adhere to them could result in Pratt losing its Section 501(c)(3)
tax-exempt status and could also result in penalty excise taxes assessed against
Pratt and the Pratt administration, faculty and staff who violate the prohibitions.
These
guidelines will set forth the following:
- permissible and impermissible
political activities and participation in political campaigns for the Pratt community
under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code;
- the Internal Revenue
Service (“IRS”) penalties for engaging in impermissible political
activities;
- what Pratt administration, faculty and staff members are required
to do if they plan on participating in political activities and political campaigns
as private citizens; and
- what disciplinary action will be taken by Pratt
against those members of the Pratt community who violate these guidelines.
II.
What Activity Is Impermissible?
Political activities are impermissible
and in violation of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code when: a) there
is a “candidate” who is seeking “public office”, and b)
there is participation in or intervention in the candidate’s political campaign
by Pratt Institute or by its administration, faculty and staff members using Pratt’s
name and/or its resources.
“Candidate” includes any individual
who offers him or herself, or is proposed by others, as a contestant for an elective
public office. The elective public office can be state, local or national. This
definition of candidate includes all persons who have already declared their intent
to run for office, incumbents who have not yet announced their intention not to
run again, and those persons who have not yet declared an intention to run but
whose potential candidacy is the subject of intense public speculation.
“Participation
or intervention in a political campaign” includes, but is not limited to,
donations (including the purchasing of tickets to fundraising dinners), publication
or distribution of written or printed statements on behalf of or in opposition
to a candidate, and the making of oral statements on behalf of or in opposition
to a candidate.
If you are unsure whether political activity you plan on
engaging in Pratt’s name or with Pratt resources or whether your planned
participation or intervention in a political campaign on behalf of Pratt is in
violation of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, please see Pratt’s
Vice President for Institutional Advancement before you proceed.
III.
What Is Permissible?
The following activities are permissible and
NOT in violation of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code:
- Candidate
Debates and Forums – Pratt must provide a fair and neutral forum and provide
equal time to all qualified candidates for the contested office. Questions presented
to candidates should be composed by an independent, nonpartisan group. Debates
should begin and end with a clear statement that the views presented are those
of the candidates and not of Pratt.
- Student Newspaper Endorsements
-- Pratt student publications may publish editorials which oppose or endorse specific
legislation and/or candidates for political office without endangering Pratt’s
federal tax exemption. If such editorials are published, the publication must
clearly state that the views reflected are those of the student editors and not
of Pratt. Pratt can minimize the risk of tax controversy with respect to political
statements in its student publications by ensuring that all content and editorial
decisions remain in the hands of the students and by printing a statement to that
effect in every issue of the publication.
- Voter Registration on Campus
– This activity must be done in a nonpartisan and fair manner.
IV.
Individual Participation in Political Activities and Political Campaign
A major source of concern to Pratt is how to ensure that the participation in
political activities and/or political campaigns by members of its community –
a faculty member, student organization, senior university official – is
not attributed to Pratt. Pratt recognizes that members of its community may serve
as advisors to political candidates and may even run for office themselves. Where
such participation is undertaken solely in an individual capacity without making
any use of Pratt’s resources, the activity should not be attributed to Pratt
for purposes of the prohibition on political activity and campaign participation.
However, Pratt must make positively sure that its resources are not inappropriately
directed to activities in support of or in opposition to political candidates.
As
such, if you choose to participate in political activities or political campaigns
in an individual capacity, the following rules must be adhered to:
- If
you desire to participate in campaign or political activities during normal working
hours, you must request and obtain permission to take leave without pay to do
so.
- You may not use Pratt’s letterhead in connection with any
campaign or political activities. In addition, Pratt’s support services
or supplies (secretarial, photocopying, messenger, etc.) cannot be used in connection
with political or campaign activities.
- Pratt funds cannot be used
to make donations to political campaigns or to purchase tickets to fundraising
events of any kind. If you choose to make a donation to a political campaign or
purchase tickets to a politically-related fundraising event, you must use your
own funds and cannot be reimbursed by Pratt.
If you choose to individually
participate in a political campaign, you must notify the campaign in writing,
with a copy to Pratt’s Vice President for Institutional Advancement, that
you are participating as a private citizen and not as a representative of Pratt
Institute. Pratt will retain the letter in your file. In addition, you should
seek, to the extent possible, to minimize any references to your employment status
with Pratt as you participate in the campaign. Further, you must use your home
address for all campaign-related mailings.
Adherence to these guidelines
will help to avoid possible tax implications and loss of Pratt’s Section
501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
V. Penalties for Impermissible Political
Activity
Loss of Tax-Exempt Status for Pratt. If Pratt or its administration,
faculty or staff members participate in or intervene in any political campaign
on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office using Pratt’s
name or resources, Pratt may lose its classification as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt
organization. Such a loss would prove detrimental to Pratt and its community in
general, as Pratt would be subject to Federal income tax and, perhaps most importantly,
donors would no longer be able to make tax-deductible contributions to Pratt.
Imposition
of Taxes on Pratt and its Employees. An initial tax of 2½% is imposed by
the IRS on any Pratt manager (including directors and officers) who agrees to
make a political expenditure. The IRS will also impose excise taxes on Pratt for
amounts expended on certain political activities. The IRS imposes an initial excise
tax of 10% on the amount of any political campaign expenditures spent by Pratt
or one of its employees using Pratt’s name, money or other resources. Finally,
the IRS imposes additional taxes if the impermissible political expenditures are
not corrected within a specified time period.
Discipline by Pratt. Individuals
who violate these Guidelines for Participation in Political Activities and Political
Campaigns will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action. Depending on the
severity, and/or frequency of the violation(s), such discipline can range from
a written warning to dismissal from the Institute.
VI. Conclusion
Pratt’s exemption from Federal taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal
Revenue Code is a benefit to the entire Pratt community, as it allows Pratt to
be free from paying Federal income tax and, perhaps most importantly, allows donors
to make valuable, tax-deductible contributions to Pratt. As such, the Institute
urges you to take these Guidelines seriously as you embark on different political
activities. Finally, if you have any doubts as to what you can and can not do
in your capacity as a Pratt employee, please consult with the Vice President for
Institutional Advancement before proceeding further.
Privacy
and Confidentiality
The Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act of 1974, popularly known as the “Buckley Amendment,”
guarantees certain rights of privacy for students and controls access to their
records. Students may secure from the Registrar’s Office a full copy of
the written policy of Pratt Institute on these matters which includes the location
of all education records and more fully explains the other matters set forth below.
With certain exceptions, students have the right to review information contained
in their education records. Students also have the right to challenge the contents
of their education records through informal and formal procedures.
In addition,
students have the right to prevent disclosure, with certain exceptions, of personally
identifiable information from their education records. In certain cases, the Institute
is required to keep a record of disclosures which are made. A recent federal law
provides that Institute officials have the right to notify parents or legal guardians
of students under 21 who have been involved in illicit drug or alcohol-related
incidents. Students may file complaints concerning any alleged failure of Pratt
Institute to comply with the act with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
Act Office, Department of Health and Human Services, 330 Independence Avenue,
S.W., Washington, DC 20201. registration policies
Admission to Class
Pratt’s faculty is asked to
allow only registered and paid students to attend class. Those students are listed
on the course rosters provided to faculty by the registrar. If students complete
registration and payment after classes begin, they will need a copy of their class
schedule from Office of the Bursar to enter a class.
Registration
Periods
Registration processing for each spring term begins at approximately
the end of October/beginning of November. Registration processing for the summer
and fall terms begins at approximately the end of March/beginning of April. WebAdvisor,
the portion of the Pratt website that allows students to review and maintain certain
aspects of their college records, is updated each semester with all institute-wide
policies and procedures for registration, and the term price list for course registration
and related fees. This guide is available by navigating to http://portal.pratt.edu,
clicking the link WebAdvisor for Students, and then clicking on Registration Guide.
All
students are required to meet with an academic advisor prior to submitting a registration
form for processing. Academic departments may start the advisement process earlier
than the first day of registration processing. This is done to make sure that
large departments will have enough time to meet with all of their students and
to help them make good decisions tailored to their needs. Watch for announcements
and notifications regarding the procedures and deadlines particular to individual
departments.
Drop/Add Processing
The Institute Bulletin,
the Pratt Academic Calendar, and the on-line Registration Guide also contain information
about specific drop/add deadlines for the academic year. It is important to note
that any course that exists on a student’s schedule on the first day of
class has the potential to affect the student’s bill. Permission to drop
a class without academic penalty does not relieve fiscal responsibility. Generally,
in fall and spring semesters, voluntary course additions or section changes are
allowed in the first two weeks of the semester. During summer sessions, this period
of time is generally one week. Courses dropped during this period will not show
on the academic transcript. Courses may not be added after the last day to add/drop.
Courses dropped after the last day to add/drop and before the last day to withdraw
(WD) result in a notation of WD (withdrawn) on the transcript. No course withdrawals
are accepted after the published deadline. Failure to officially withdraw from
a class will result in an “F” grade on the transcript.
Change
of Major
Students wanting to change their major (i.e. from Art to
Architecture or from Photo to Communications Design) must apply for this change
in the Admissions office. Changing academic programs can have an affect on how
many credits will be required for graduation. It can also have an affect on the
amount of time spent at Pratt. Part of the application process involves meeting
with the Offices of the Bursar and Financial Aid to ensure that all the business
aspects of this change are considered to give students the best opportunity for
success.
Complete Withdrawal from the Institute
Students that are leaving Pratt without graduating are strongly advised to fill
out a Complete Withdrawal Form. This form enables a student to drop or withdraw
from all registered classes. It also serves to advise several departments on campus
that a student is no longer enrolled. Students that withdraw need to be advised
about any financial obligations and any academic repercussions of their actions.
Students may pick up a Complete Withdrawal Form in the Office of the Registrar
in Thrift Hall. It is important to note that the date Pratt is officially advised
of a withdrawal is the date that is used for determining eligibility for WD grades.
It is also the date used for calculating a student’s charges for the term
being withdrawn.
The Organization of Course Offerings
Undergraduate and graduate courses numbered 100-499 are reserved for undergraduates.
Courses numbered 500-599 are open to both advanced undergraduate (junior or senior)
and graduate students. They include:
- technical courses,
- qualifying
courses,
- graduate courses whose content complements advanced undergraduate
studies.
However, credit earned within the 500 numbered courses by
undergraduate students may not be applied toward a graduate degree.
Graduate
students enrolled in 500-level courses are expected to perform with greater productivity
and capacity for research and analysis than their undergraduate colleagues enrolled
in the same courses. Significantly more is expected of graduate students in course
projects, papers, and conferences.
Courses numbered 600 and above are generally
for graduate students only. A graduate course embraces highly developed content
that demands advanced qualitative and quantitative performance and specialization
not normally appropriate to undergraduate courses.
Leave of Absence
Students in good academic standing who have paid their Institute account in full,
may request a leave of absence by completing a Leave of Absence Form. Leaves are
granted for a period of up to one academic year. Extensions beyond one year require
a new application. Students that return after a leave of absence are not required
to apply for re-admission. Students that do not return and fail to request an
extension will be required to re-admit. The leave of absence application fee is
$15. Students must obtain all required signatures on the application form and
return it to the registrar for processing.
Retention of
Student Work
Pratt Institute reserves the right to temporarily retain
during the academic year, for exhibition and classroom purposes, representative
work of any student enrolled in its curricula.
Security
and Safety
Emergencies
Brooklyn: 718-636-3540
The
Security Department is a service unit dedicated to the protection of life and
property and providing a safe campus environment. The Security Department is staffed
three hundred sixty-five (365) days per year and twenty-four (24) hours per day.
Under the supervision of a director, assistant director, and two tour supervisors,
the Security Department operates with the following coverage:
Twenty-four
hours a day:
- Officer on duty at Willoughby residence hall
- Officer
on duty at Pantas Booth
- Officer on duty at Stabile
- Officer on
foot patrol (front campus)
- Officer on foot patrol (rear campus)
- Officer
on duty at the Higgins Hall lobby
- Officer on duty in motorized patrol
vehicle
The department has officers patrolling the campus in two Security
vehicles. They also patrol the parking lots and campus perimeter as well as making
campus inspections. In addition to the above, the Security Department monitors
a network of over 47 closed-circuit television cameras, which are strategically
located throughout the campus.
Security Workshops
Security workshops are conducted throughout the year. Representatives from the
Pratt Security Department, New York City Police Department, and The Transit Police
Bureau meet with interested students, faculty, and staff to discuss both on- and
off-campus safety and awareness issues. Dates, times, and locations of these workshops
are announced throughout the year.
Fire Drills
Fire
drills are conducted throughout the year in all campus buildings (residence halls,
academic buildings, and administrative buildings). All students, faculty, and
staff are required to participate. Notices will be posted as to when these fire
drills will take place. Follow instructions given by authorities in the building
if you hear a fire alarm.
Campus Gate Closings
All
gates close at 6 p.m. with the exception of Willoughby Avenue Main Gate and Thrift
Hall Walk-in Gate, which remain open 24 hours/day.
Emergency Phones
The Security Department maintains an emergency telephone network on the Pratt
campus. These phones are directly tied into the Security Control Booth and are
located in the following:
- Ryerson Street, on Thrift Hall, to the left
on entrance
- DeKalb Hall, on west side of building
- Ryerson Street,
in front of ISC Building
- North side of Willoughby Residence Hall (Myrtle
Ave.)
- Rear of Engineering Building
- Court Yard of East Building
- Pratt
Studios–All lobbies, hallway, 2nd and 5th floor
- Steuben Hall–3rd
and 4th Floors in vicinity of elevators
- North Hall–room 230
- Main
Bldg–room 601
- Library–4th floor
- ELJ–basement
laundry room
Operating Instructions the Security Control Booth
Officer will immediately respond to your call. Give the location
and type of emergency you are reporting. Be advised that telephones are designed
for emergencies only and their wrongful use may result in the delayed security
response to an actual emergency. Security officers are directed to divert all
other calls through normal channels.
Building Closing Times
Due to the variance in times which different buildings must be closed, it is requested
that all inquiries be made to the Security Department. All buildings are closed
on official school holidays.
Security Concerns Committee
The Security Concerns Committee is comprised of student, staff, and faculty representatives.
The role of the committee is to provide an ongoing review of security procedures
and campus-wide areas of security and safety concerns. Meetings are generally
held once per semester.
All students are encouraged to participate by:
- Joining the Security Concerns Committee. Contact the vice president for Student
Affairs;
- Expressing your concerns to a member of the committee. To find
out who is on the committee, contact the director of Security, director of Student
Activities and Orientation Programs, or the Special Issues and Concerns chair
of the Student Council.
sexual assault
In 1990, the New York State Assembly amended the Education Law on campus
security, mandating colleges and universities to form advisory committees on campus
security and to distribute assault prevention information. Three years prior,
in 1987, Pratt had already formed the Security Concerns Committee, whose responsibility
it is to keep the campus community informed about security matters and to heighten
security awareness. In order to address the sexual assault aspect of the Education
Law amendment, the committee formed a sub-committee in 1991, to plan and develop
programs that focus more attention on sexual assault awareness and prevention.
Sexual
assault can happen to anyone, male or female, at any time and anywhere. Rape is
the most prevalent sexual assault crime that occurs on college campuses. Rape
is a crime of violence, anger, and power. Date/acquaintance rape occurs when your
are forced or manipulated into having sex against your will. There are other forms
of sexual assault. The New York State penal code describes five types of sexual
assault with up to three degrees of seriousness for each. The penal code changes
from time to time and updated copies are available in several offices, including
the Security Office and Health and Counseling Services.
An important distinction
between sexual assault and sexual harassment should be borne in mind. Sexual harassment
is a form of discrimination based on one's gender or sexual orientation. This
type of harassment may be blatant or subtle, physical or verbal. Unwelcome sexual
advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or written communications
or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment. Sexual harassment
is an abuse of power employing coercion, threat, bribery, or unwanted attention.
Getting Immediate Support
Being raped or assaulted
is not the victim's fault. No matter what, no one deserves to be raped. If you
were a victim of sexual assault, and did not resist, don't second guess yourself!
Any action you took to save your life was the appropriate response.
Reporting
a Sexual Assault
If you are a victim of sexual assault:
- Tell
someone immediately—a friend or a security officer (the campus security
emergency number is 718-636-3540). The advantage of telling a security officer
is twofold: they can offer immediate support and advice and assist individuals
as to where and how to get medical treatment, as well as assisting in the process
of reporting the crime.
- While victims are not obligated to report
a sexual assault to the police, they are strongly encouraged to do so. Reporting
a sexual assault does not necessarily mean that a court appearance will be required.
- Extreme care is taken to protect the privacy and confidentiality of the
victim.
- Whether or not a victim chooses to notify campus security
or the police, she or he is strongly urged to obtain a medical examination as
soon as possible. This action is important not only in case injury or disease
is involved, but also because medical exams provide evidence needed should the
victim decide to report the crime at a later date.
- Whether or not
victims report the crime and whether or not they receive medical assistance, they
should take advantage of on-campus or off-campus counseling services.
smoking
policies
Pratt Institute fully complies with
New York City’s Smoke-Free Air Act prohibiting smoking in most public places
and work areas.
The result is that no smoking is permitted in the cafeteria,
student lounges, auditoriums, classrooms, studios, labs, study areas, elevators,
hallways, restrooms, libraries, computer or equipment areas, exhibition spaces,
athletic/recreation areas, storage areas, laundry facilities and other work areas,
equipment and supply rooms, or conference and meeting rooms.
Smoking also
is not permitted in rooms that:
- Are the sole source of vending machines,
beverage or food services, place of payment for services or kitchen facilities,
- Are
the sole means of ingress or egress to restrooms or any other smoke-free area,
or
- Are required for pass-through or use for work related activities.
Smoking
is permitted in individual rooms and/or apartments in the residence halls, where
it is feasible, though this is subject to further regulation by Residential Life.
The
primary responsibility for compliance with the campus smoking policy lies with
each individual member of the Institute community. Students are directed to the
vice president for Student Affairs to file complaints about members of the community
who refuse to comply with these regulations. Faculty and staff should bring complaints
to the director of Human Resources. People are protected by Pratt’s Human
Rights Policy and may file a grievance if they believe that any retaliatory adverse
action has been taken against them for exercising, or seeking to exercise, any
rights granted under the smoking policy.
A complete description of this
policy is available in the Human Resources Office, Thrift Hall.
Student
Advisement
Student advisement policies and procedures are determined
in each school and are available from the department chair or in the school dean's
office.
Student-Faculty Grievances
If an individual feels he or she has experienced unnecessary conflict or
problems in a classroom setting, he or she should try to resolve it directly with
the individual. If this fails, he or she should report the incident to the chairperson
of the department in which the course was taken. Further discussion can take place
with the appropriate dean in order to seek a fair resolution of the problem. If
this proves unsuccessful, an individual has the right to file a formal grievance
with a school committee or through the procedures in place under Pratt's Human
Rights Policy (if a violation of protected rights under this policy is suspected).
Subpoenas
and Legal Inquiries
The
following policies and procedures for acceptance of a subpoena or other legal
process were approved August, 1991:
- The only Institute officials authorized
to accept a subpoena or other such legal process are the vice president for Finance
and Administration or the vice president for Student Affairs or their designates.
- If service of a legal process is attempted upon any other individual,
the process server should be immediately informed of this policy and then directed
to the appropriate authorized officer.
Additional information about
this process is available in the office of the vice president for Finance and
Administration, or the office of the vice president for Student Affairs.
Syllabi
Policies on course syllabi are established in each school and are available from
the department chair, or in the office of the dean of the school.
