Event Security

Campus Safety may need to provide security for your event, especially for those involving controversial themes or speakers and those with a large number of guests. Continue reading to determine if your event will require security, procedure for making your request, and associated costs.

Events Requiring Security

You must notify Campus Safety if your event involves any of the below scenarios:

• Controversial or high-profile speakers (e.g. public officials, polarizing speakers, political figures, etc.)
• Controversial theme (one that would result in protests, violent disagreements, etc.)
• Speakers bringing their personal/external security details.
• Please schedule a walk-through with Campus Safety along with the external guards. Note that a Certificate of Insurance (COI) may be required from the external contractor.
• Expected attendance of 300 or more individuals. If your event's ticket sales are capped at 300+, you must request a Fireguard.
• Alternate building entrances to be used for access (e.g. loading dock), or kept open for prolonged periods of time. Note that there may be restrictions on when a loading dock may be used, such as not prior to 7am daily.
• When an overflow room is booked for your event.
• Any other event that might have a negative impact on the flow of traffic in building lobbies.
• If your event has a long duration and is open to the public (for instance, an exhibition of artwork accessible for a month), or you're using a smaller room on a higher floor which isn't one of the major event spaces.
• If you need access to the Green Room adjoining Tishman Auditorium at the University Center is needed.
• Campus Security must be contacted to request key cards. They must be returned to the security supervisor at the security desk at the conclusion of the event, and may only be used by New School staff.

Request Event Security

Timing

Submit a request as soon as possible, ideally no less than three weeks in advance of your event. Requests submitted less than two weeks in advance may not be approved, or be subject to a higher minimum number of hours.

Procedure

Requests may be made by emailing Mike Biondo and providing details of your event including the type of event, theme, number of expected attendees, any VIPs who will be in present, if alcohol will be served, and any other pertinent details. Please also include the appropriate departmental worktag for billing.

It is up to the discretion of the Campus Safety team to determine how many guards may be needed for events depending on the scenario. A walkthrough may be needed depending on the request.

Cost

Guards for your event, including Fireguards, are currently billed at $75/hour per guard. There is a four hour minimum if a request is submitted with adequate advanced notice (2 weeks). For last minute requests, there may be a six hour minimum charge.

Additional security staff during holidays are currently billed at $225/hour per guard, with an eight hour minimum.

NOTE: Cancellations less than two weeks in advance of the event may still result in a payable fee.

Additional Information

Restrictions

• Campus Safety is not responsible for screening guests at an event. For example, they do not assist on-site event coordinators with registration or barring certain attendees. Event coordinators must have an adequate number of staff/volunteers present to manage the event.
• Campus Safety does not provide personal security details for high profile guests.
• Campus Safety also recommends that all event staff/volunteers wear identifying clothing or nametags to indicate their involvement with the event, and that they be stationed at a registration desk or near turnstiles at entrances.
  

Notices

If your event is open to the public, please notify Campus Safety and the Buildings Department the week of your event using the Weekly Public Event Memo Template.

Contact Information

The Campus Safety Department’s office is located at 68 Fifth Avenue, mezzanine level. A security supervisor is on campus 24/7, and can be reached via the University Center security desk, by dialing x1832 from a campus phone, or by calling 646-909-4276 directly.

See also the list of Security Desk phone numbers by building.