Policies

The Policies at CalArts webpage is the official home of all Institute policies. These policies have been established to create a safe and productive work and learning environment, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Proof of Immunization

In an effort to keep our community healthy, all students enrolled in on-campus residencies (Summer Animation Residency and English for the Creative Arts) are required to have immunizations on file with the Student Health Office. All vaccination records in a language other than English will need to be translated by a certified translator.

Required Immunizations

California Institute of the Arts requires all students to submit the following:

1. Proof of receiving two (2) doses of MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) or positive immunity. 
2. Tuberculosis (TB) screening or test within six (6) months prior to the first day of class.
3. For any students living in a CalArts residence hall or apartment, at least one (1) dose of Meningitis vaccine (MCV4 or MPSV4) is required prior to move-in date. If you received a dose at 16 years or older, then no additional booster shot is needed.

Students with a medical exemption or religious/philosophical exemption must submit their exemption form to the CalArts Health Portal.

Respectful Participation & Class Behavior

Extended Studies programming is designed for students with a level of maturity and personal ability to process and discuss provoking topics in a respectful and constructive way. Subject matter may include serious themes that, while audience-appropriate, are sometimes delicate in nature. All students should understand that participation in the program’s activities are entirely voluntary and requires participants to abide by applicable rules and standards of conduct.

California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) is committed to maintaining a learning and working environment that is free from all forms of discrimination and conduct that can be considered harassing, coercive, or disruptive – including behavior in violation of our Prohibited Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct Policy and the CalArts Student Code of Conduct. CalArts policies apply to behaviors that occur on our online, on-campus, credit, non-credit, degree, or non-degree seeking programs.

Privacy

Click here to view our privacy policy.

Media Use Policy

The CalArts Office of Extended Studies and the Office of Communications are responsible for initiatives promoting CalArts and its educational and artistic programs. In the course of doing so, students’ name, photographic or video likeness, and artistic and/or creative work produced in connection with their participation in any Extended Studies program may be used for public relations and advertising purposes. Further, student work may be represented, reproduced, displayed, or performed for these purposes.

Student Life Policies

Student Health Services (Including Counseling and Recreation)

In support of the physical and mental health needs of the student artists in our community, CalArts has expanded Student Health Services (SHS). The Student Health Center (SHC) is located in D208 and provides students with easier access to care while still allowing for privacy during visits. Here you can find information regarding immunization requirements for on-campus programs, as well as information regarding health insurance.

Alcohol and Drugs Policy

Both federal and state laws prohibit the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol. In the state of California, anyone under the age of 21 cannot be served or be in possession of alcohol. CalArts also has standards that prohibit the unlawful possession, use, transport, manufacture or distribution of illicit drugs, drug paraphernalia or simulated drugs and alcohol by students, staff and faculty on Institute property or as part of the Institute’s activities.

Bicycles, Skates, Skateboards, Scooters

In order to ensure the safety of everyone walking in the hallways of the academic building and housing areas, no one is allowed to ride bicycles, rollerblades, skates, skateboards, scooters or any other motor driven vehicle within the campus buildings or on the ramps, porches or other areas in front of the entrance to the buildings. 

Campus Habitation Policy

Students are not permitted to live in non-residential areas of campus, including, but not limited to, lobbies, hallways, classrooms, practice rooms, cubicles, studios, offices, galleries, labs, restrooms, open outdoor spaces, and parking lots. 

Censorship

There is to be no censorship of any work of art, design, performance or publication on the campus. Members of the Institute, including staff, faculty and students, are instructed to avoid any act that might be regarded as censorship in any official sense. 

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records.  An eligible student is an individual for whom California Institute of the Arts (“CalArts”) maintains education records, and who is or has been enrolled in and attended CalArts, the Los Angeles Conservatory of Music, or the Chouinard Art Institute. 

Field trips are defined as any off-campus day trip led by a CalArts faculty or staff member or funded through a CalArts account. For overnight trips, please refer to the CalArts Travel Policy. 

Grievance Procedures - Student

CalArts students are given an opportunity to seek an internal resolution of conflicts and complaints. This procedure may also be used by students who believe that they have been discriminated against on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, sex or any other classification or characteristic protected by law, and is designed to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Non-Discrimination Policy

This policy strictly prohibits discrimination against, or the harassment of, any individual at CalArts or at Institute activities occurring away from campus, including but not limited to all individuals regularly or temporarily employed, studying, or with an official capacity at CalArts (such as Trustees, visiting artists, volunteers, and contractors).

Personal Property

CalArts does not have property insurance for student possessions, and it accepts no responsibility for any personal possessions or property of students.

Pets on Campus

Pets are allowed on campus and in the academic building on a leash held by a person, or in an appropriate cage or carrier.  Members of the CalArts community must register their pets before bringing the animal on campus. 

Pool

The pool is available to all registered students, except for students who have been restricted from on-campus housing.