Prohibited Items and Activities during Events

Adopted Policy 6.2

Policy Purpose

To set forth items and activities that may be prohibited for all University faculty, staff, students, guests, and visitors during Events occurring on University at Albany Campuses.

Responsible Office

University Police Department, Division of Finance and Administration

Responsible Executive

Chief of University Police

Policy History

  • Date of Interim Approval:
  • Date of Permanent Approval:

Policy Statement

To promote and protect the safety of the University at Albany community, the University needs to prohibit certain objects and activities at Events on its Campuses. The specific list of objects and activities that will be prohibited is dependent on the nature of the event and the assessment of the University Police Department and other Authorized Persons. Procedures promulgated under this policy provide information for specific common types of events.

Persons Affected

Students, Faculty, Staff, Third Parties

Definitions

Authorized Person is an officer with the University Police Department at the level of Lieutenant or above, a University or University-related Organization employed even or venue manager, and the President of the University or the President's designee.

Campus or Campuses is any University owned, leased, licensed or operated space, facility, property, grounds, equipment, motor vehicle or building.

Event or Events is any gathering, whether planned or spontaneous, including University Sponsored Events at University Campuses and Third Party uses of the Campuses via University revocable permit.

Faculty and Staff is any faculty member of the University or staff employed by the University or a University-related Organization and its subcontractors who are issued University identification cards.

Fireworksis any "pyrotechnic device" as defined under NYS Penal Law Section 405.10.1.r, and "fireworks" and "dangerous fireworks" as defined in NYS Penal Law Section 270.00.1 (including "sparkling devices").

Open Fire is used as defined in 6 NYCRR 215.1 and includes any device that produces and maintains an open flame. University purposes Open Fire includes, but is not limited to, camp fires and the use of outdoor cooking devices that produce heat via combustion (e.g., charcoal or gas grills), as well as items such as candles, torches, and oil lanterns.

Student is a current student registered for classes at the University at Albany.

Third Party or Parties is any person, organization, group or entity not legally affiliated with the University including, but not limited to, the general public, contractors, vendors, guests and visitors to the University or Campuses, those using University facilities or property under a University revocable permit, and volunteers whether or not enrolled as such on University systems.

University is the University at Albany, State University of New York.

University-related Organization or Organization(s) is one or all of the following entities associated with the University: University at Albany Foundation, Research Foundation for State University of New York, University Auxiliary Services at Albany, Inc., University at Albany Bioscience Development Corporation, Alumni Association State University of New York at Albany, Incl, University at Albany Graduate Student Association, and Five Quad Volunteer Ambulance Service, Inc.

University Sponsored Event is any event where the University or any University-related Organization is the primary organizing or financing entity for the event.

Weaponis any items so designated within the University at Albany policy 6.1 Weapons on Campus, including any limitations and exemptions as established therein.

Policy

The University reserves the right to prohibit items and activities at Events and University Sponsored Events.

  1. Items and activities generally prohibited at standard types of Events that take place at the University Campuses are spelled out in procedures to be promulgated under this policy.
  2. The University reserves the right to prohibit other items and activities determined by Authorized Persons to pose a risk to safety or to potentially disrupt University business for any Event taking place on the University Campuses at any time. The authority to determine a prohibited item or activity lies solely with the University and is not subject to appeal.
  3. Exemptions to the items and activities listed in the procedures promulgated under this policy for a specific event may be established by Authorized Persons with approval of an officer within the University Police Department at the level of Lieutenant or above.
  4. Nothing in this policy and the procedures promulgated under this policy shall be construed to permit activities specifically prohibited by federal, state, State University of New York, or University law, rule, regulation or policy.
  5. This Policy shall be effective immediately upon approval.

Procedures

  1. The following items are prohibited at Events at all times unless specifically allowed under conditions presented elsewhere in this policy.
    1. Weapons
    2. Fireworks
    3. Open Fire 
    4. Masks, as limited under NYS Penal Law 240.35.4
    5. Tobacco and smoking materials
    6. Alcoholic beverages
    7. Poles: including flag poles, bats and other similar athletic items, clubs, sticks (including sticks used to hold signs), unless the individual is participating in an instructional, performance, or athletic activity, the Pole is required as part of that activity, and the individual is using the item for its intended purpose.
    8. Chains
  2. The following items are prohibited for all spectators at University at Albany athletics events in addition to items listed in section A of these procedures.
    1. Any items determined by Authorized Persons to pose a risk to safety or to potentially disrupt University business.
    2. Alcoholic beverages other than provided by University at Albany Athletics
    3. Aerosal and spray cans
    4. Animals, not including service animals
    5. Bags or Backpacks exceeding 16" x 16" x 8"; all allowed bags or backpacks may be subject to search
    6. Drones or other unmanned aircraft systems, other than for official University use and operated by or under the supervision of Faculty or Staff.
    7. Glass or other heavy metal containers
    8. Signs made of anything other than cloth, paper, foam core, or cardboard
    9. Noisemakers of any kind: including air horns, thunderstix, whistles, cowbells, etc.
      1. Thunderstix and cowbells may be allowed at outdoor University athletic events.
    10. Chains, padlocks, bicycle locks
    11. Umbrellas
    12. Laser pointers
    13. Megaphones or other amplified sound devices
    14. Skates, skateboards, hoverboards, scooters, bicycles
    15. Video camera, tripods and selfie sticks
    16. Additional items prohibited at events in the SEFCU arena, Casey Stadium, PE gym, Fallon Field and field hockey field
    • Folding chairs or lawn chairs
    • Outside food and beverages
  3. The University reserves the right to prohibit any or all of the following items in addition to items listed in section A of these procedures, at all Events with a potential attendance of more than 200 individuals that are not part of regular, scheduled instructional events on the University at Albany Campuses.
    1. Animals, not including service animals
    2. Drones or other unmanned aircraft systems, other than for official University use and operated by or under the supervision of Faculty or Staff
    3. Glass or other heavy metal containers
    4. Signs made of anything other than cloth, paper, foam core, or cardboard
    5. Backpacks and bags, other than purses, fanny-packs, and diaper bags which may be subject to search
    6. Noisemakers of any kind: including air horns, thunderstix, whistles, cowbells, etc.
    7. Chains, padlocks, bicycle locks
    8. Umbrellas
    9. Laser pointers
    10. Megaphones or other amplified sound devices
    11. Video camera, tripods and selfie sticks
    12. Any other items determined by Authorized Persons to pose a risk to safety or to potentially disrupt University business.
  4. Prohibited Activities:
    1. Activity defined as Prohibited Conduct in Section I.A of SUNY Document #3653 – Rules for the Maintenance of Public Order.  
    2. Other activities specifically prohibited by University policies, rules and regulations.
    3. Other activities determined by Authorized Persons to pose a risk to safety or to potentially disrupt University business
  5. Exemptions
    1. Fireworks may be used at University Sponsored Events when specifically authorized by the University, permitted under law, and overseen by a licensed and approved pyrotechnic operator.  The University reserves the right to authorize the use of fireworks for events other than University Sponsored Events at its sole discretion.
    2. Open Fires are permitted:
      1. When used as part of a recognized course of instruction. 
      2. When engaged in authorized construction, maintenance, and repair activities (e.g., cutting and welding torches). 
      3. When expressly authorized as part of a University Sponsored Event (e.g., grills at tailgating, candles during a candle-lighting ceremony, etc.). 
    3. Alcoholic beverages are permitted at Events and University Sponsored Events with appropriate prior University approvals as well as proper licenses and oversight.
    4. Other exemptions as established by Authorized Persons with approval of an officer within the University Police Department at the level of Lieutenant or above.

Related Documents

Statutes:

  • NYS Penal Law Section 405.10.1.r
  • NYS Penal Law Section 270.00.1

Regulations:

  • 6 NYCRR 215.1 Open Fires

SUNY Policies:

University Policies, Rules and Regulations:

Other: