As faculty members and educators, instructors are expected to maintain professional decorum and set a good example for students, on appropriate conduct within the classroom, on set and in other professional milieus.
Faculty and Employees are required to use their NYFA emails to communicate with NYFA applicants or students and are prohibited from fraternizing with current students off-campus or interacting with students on social media, including , but not limited to, “friending” or accepting “friend requests” on personal social media pages or handles including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat and any other social media sites. Please note that the only exception to this policy is professional social media pages or handles including Linkedin. Online and off-campus fraternization can blur professional boundaries between faculty/staff and students, and this policy protects both parties. Any faculty or staff who violates this policy is subject to disciplinary action.
NYFA strives to provide an environment for all students and employees that is respectful, fair, and free from harassment or discrimination. In keeping with its commitment to provide equal opportunity, and in order to avoid potential conflicts of interest, favoritism, exploitation, harassment, or breaches of professional standards, NYFA adheres to the following non-fraternization policy.
NYFA prohibits social, romantic, or sexual relationships between employees and students. No employee shall pursue, have, or maintain a social, romantic, or sexual relationship with any student. Employees are prohibited from socializing with students, including but not limited to interacting outside of the institution, dating, drinking, and interactions on social media. Employees are prohibited from social, romantic, or sexual relationships while the student is enrolled in a program, and for two months after program graduation or termination of the student’s enrollment at NYFA. In the event such a relationship is pre-existing, the involved employee must report such relationship immediately, prior to the student’s enrollment, to the Human Resources Office, who will take appropriate steps consistent with this policy, including the removal of any academic responsibilities, reporting, grading, teaching, advising, or similar relationship between the employee and the student.
Faculty and staff are also prohibited from entering into a professional relationship with current students. Additionally faculty and staff cannot enter into a professional relationship with students on any creative or business endeavor until two months after program graduation or termination of the student’s enrollment without written permission from their supervisor or Campus Dean.
ENFORCEMENT OF NON-FRATERNIZATION POLICY
The Human Resources Office will enforce this policy. Failure to comply with the non-fraternization policy may result in dismissal from NYFA employment.
EXCEPTIONS TO NON-FRATERNIZATION POLICY
NYFA may grant exceptions to this policy if it determines that an otherwise prohibited relationship:
Existed prior to the professional or academic relationship between the employee and student at NYFA and has been timely reported, AND
Does not present a likelihood of abuse of power by or exploitation between employee and student.
If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact the Human Resources office.
ADDITIONAL WORK FOR FORMER STUDENTS OR CLIENTS
Instructors and staff cannot knowingly solicit employment or funding from former New York Film Academy students and/or clients
If NYFA Instructors and staff are offered employment from former students, faculty and staff should consult their supervisor or Campus Dean before accepting. The Campus Dean will determine if the employment is damaging to NYFA’s interests.
This includes working on film projects, accepting investments in projects, as well as performing private instruction.
Any unapproved work on films or private instruction given, without prior consent from the New York Film Academy may be grounds for termination and possible legal action by NYFA if appropriate.
The New York Film Academy is committed to ensuring the safety of its students, faculty and staff. Faculty are mandatory reporters and are responsible for reporting instances or incidents where students are at risk of harming themselves or others.
In an emergency situation, faculty are advised to contact 911 and to report the incident immediately to the following administration:
LA: Department Chair, Dean of Students , and Dan Mackler
NY: NYFA Security, Dean of Students and CARE Team
Miami: Department Chair and Maylen Dominguez
If a student is potentially at risk or requires help, faculty should immediately contact their Department Chair, the CARE Team, Dean of Students or NYFA Security so they may allocate the appropriate resources for the student.