Operations and Planning

For Emergencies, call Public Safety/University Police:

• 511 from campus phones
• 215-573-3333 from off-campus and cell phones

Weitzman School Office of Operations and Planning:

• 215-898-8322

Studios and workspaces are provided to students as a privilege, for their convenience and to enhance the academic program. For reasons of personal and public safety, all students, faculty, staff, alumni, and visitors of the University of Pennsylvania Stuart Weitzman School of Design are expected to comply with any and all University of Pennsylvania policies governing conduct and use of University facilities. In addition, there are specific policies and procedures governing the assignment of graduate studio space at the Weitzman School established by the University of Pennsylvania and our School.

By occupying studio space, you agree to abide by all policies, rules, and regulations, governing the use of facilities; in particular, those specific to the occupancy of a graduate studio listed below. You are also acknowledging that you understand that these policies serve to ensure your safety and the safety of your peers and provide a good working environment for all members of the Weitzman community. You understand that all studios and public areas are subject to periodic inspections by city and University officials, as well as by Weitzman faculty and staff, to confirm that safety and building regulations governing our use of space are followed. You realize that use of a studio is a privilege granted by the Weitzman School of Design; and that failure to comply with any of the policies and procedures below may result in the revocation of this privilege, a charge for repair or replacement and/or other disciplinary measures determined to be necessary by the University (including, but not limited to, additional fines or suspension).

Read the full Studio Contract.

Studio Security and Maintenance Policies:

1. For your safety, all lockable doors should be kept locked at all times.
2. All students, faculty and staff are required to prominently display a PennCard ID at all times while on campus and within university buildings.
3. The school assumes no liability for loss or damage to personal property kept in studios.
4. Weitzman Buildings are not residence halls and may not be used as such. Normal building hours are 8AM to 11:30PM; however, 24-hour access to the Weitzman studios has been granted to the Weitzman School of Design graduate students and faculty ONLY for the purpose of working on and completing academic work. Any other activities (or inactivity such as sleeping) are prohibited, and failure to comply with this requirement may result in the immediate loss of all after hour privileges for all participants in the program. The consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited in studio.
5. Be considerate of your peers. Loud radios, long or frequent telephone calls, and disruptive behavior disturb the common good and interfere with others ability to work.
6. Open food packages and other food waste will attract rodents – dispose of all trash in the containers provided outside of the studios.
7. Do not take ANY fixtures, furnishings, or other items from any area in the studios, including all common areas. Removal of items from those areas will be considered a serious violation of this agreement.
8. Parking is prohibited in the rear of Meyerson Hall, Addams Hall, or in any other non-designated parking area. Your vehicle will be towed without warning. Vehicles parked for picking up or delivering supplies should not be left unattended.
9. Bike policy: Register your bike with University Police, 215-898-4481, 9:30AM to 4:30PM, 206 S. 40th Street. Bike racks are located throughout the University and accessible to students. All bikes must be kept outside the buildings. Do not lock bikes to handrails, stairways, or ramps; bikes illegally parked will be removed.
10. For all students in studios, workstations have been equipped with chairs and in many cases, under-counter lockers. These items are inventoried. Removal of these items for use in other areas is prohibited.
11. Cutting directly on work surfaces is prohibited.
12. At the end of the academic year, students must return all keys (including fire safety cabinets for Fine Arts students) and have all belongings removed from studio by the designated day. We cannot provide storage, and any items left in the studio or public areas after May 31 will be discarded.

Gallery and Review spaces are reserved through the Office of Operations and Planning/Design and Construction. Please make requests for space directly to your department coordinator.

Review space and the common areas of the Weitzman School are essential to the vitality of the School’s programs. As such, it is the responsibility of all members of the Weitzman School community to keep the spaces clean. Materials must be removed when reviews are completed so that the next group can freely access the space. Any materials left behind have the potential to be damaged or discarded.

For keys to design studios without swipe card readers, see the Office of Operations and Planning/Design and Construction, located in G-29 Meyerson.

The Weitzman School Fabrication Lab, located in Room 409 Meyerson Hall, serves as a practical laboratory extension of classroom theory. The lab is equipped for all phases of woodworking, metalworking, and machining, as well as digital fabrication with CNC routing, laser cutting, and 3D Printing. The lab is available to all Weitzman School students and to all students enrolled in ancillary Weitzman School courses.

Staffed lab hours for the academic year are posted outside of 409 Meyerson Hall. Any student interested in using the lab must first complete a Risk Management Department mandated safety course delivered through Knowledge Link. The lab is managed by Dennis Pierattini, who can be contacted at dennis2@design.upenn.edu or in person at the lab. He and his staff welcome your design and fabrication related inquiries.

The spray booth and wet lab is located in 408 Meyerson Hall. Spray fixatives, paints, plaster, and concrete work are restricted to that area. Since this space is shared by each department, materials must be labeled with student name and contact info, and must be removed once the work is done so that the next group can utilize space. Any materials left behind will be discarded.

Weitzman School is committed to the safety of our community. All students, faculty and staff are required to prominently display a PennCard ID at all times, seven days per week, while on campus and within university buildings. ID holders are available in G29 Meyerson Hall. It is imperative that all building users comply with this policy.

Displaying a PennCard is the easiest way to distinguish between Penn faculty, staff, and students and a potential intruder. Often, you will need to swipe your Penn ID Card to gain entry to buildings. Do not prop exterior doors or offer to swipe your card to provide access to another person.  Potential thieves will attempt to gain access in this manner.  If someone does not have their ID and looks suspicious, simply ask them “Can I help you?”  If they do not have a legitimate answer, walk away and contact Penn Police at 511 (Penn Public Safety emergency number) from any campus phone, or 215-573-3333 to report the incident.  Often, questioning someone will be enough of a deterrent and they will leave.  Remember to contact Penn Public Safety should you see anyone out of the ordinary wandering the building. Please contact our department after you have contacted Penn Public Safety.

Security in studio and workspaces:

• Keep your belongings locked in cabinets provided
• Keep studio doors locked at all times

• Addams Hall: Entrance into the building is swipe card access 9:00am – 5:00pm Monday through Friday, requiring a valid Penn ID card. Visitors without a valid Penn ID card can use the intercom system to speak with an administrator to gain entry into the building.
• Durhing Wing: Main Entrance is swipe card access 24/7. The ADA side entrance is unlocked from 8:00am – 5:00pm Monday through Friday, with swipe card access available after 5:00pm, on weekends, and on University-observed holidays with a valid Penn ID card.
• Fisher Fine Arts Library: Access varies according to the Library schedule; please check the Library homepage for the latest scheduling information.
• Franklin Annex: Main Entrance is swipe card access 24/7. Students in studio in the Franklin Annex will be provided with a key for studio access.
• Meyerson Hall: Entrance into the building is swipe card access 24/7, requiring a valid Penn ID card. Visitors without a valid Penn ID card can use the intercom system to speak with administrator to gain entry into the building.
• Stuart Weitzman Hall (formerly the Morgan Building): Locked at all times. The key code will be issued by the Fine Arts Department.
• 3401 Walnut: Entrance into the building is swipe card access 24/7, requiring a valid Penn ID card.
• 3600 Market: Entrance into the building requires a University City ID card. You can obtain this card along with a key to the entrance of the studio from the Operations and Planning Office, Meyerson room G29.

Students should register their bike with Penn’s Division of Public Safety. All bicycles must be kept outside the buildings, and should be locked to the racks provided using a secure locking method. (Cables that can easily be cut are not recommended.) Do not lock bikes to handrails, stairways or ramps; illegally parked bikes will be removed.

See also: University of Pennsylvania Bicycle policy and other information for bicyclists

Animals are not permitted inside any Weitzman School facility. Some animals may pose potential health problems, can cause destruction of university and personal property, and can be disruptive or potentially harmful to others. The only exception to this policy will be for guide and service dogs employed by a person to accommodate a disability. Service animals must be approved by Student Disability Services.

Weitzman School maintains equipment that may be reserved and borrowed by Weitzman School students for academic purposes. This includes video cameras and photography equipment. Students who wish to borrow equipment must be currently pursuing a degree in the Weitzman School. The student must be enrolled in a Fine Arts (FNAR) Video, Photography, Animation, or Multimedia class at the University of Pennsylvania in order to sign out equipment. Qualified MFA students are also eligible to check out equipment. Any loss or damage to the equipment is the complete financial responsibility of the student. The cost of repairs and replacement due to negligence will be charged to the student’s account. A late fee will be charged to the student’s account for each day that equipment remains past due. Student who have failed to return any equipment as promised will not be permitted to sign equipment out in the future. Consumable components such as non-rechargeable batteries and videotape are not provided by the school.

Safe Climbing Procedures

• Do not use ladders that are wet or have oil, grease, wet paint or other slipping hazards.
• Never position a ladder in front of a doorway opening towards the ladder.
• Always remain centered on the ladder. Do not reach to the sides. Your belt buckle should never extend beyond the side rail.
• Always face the ladder.
• Always move one step at a time and grip the ladder with at least one hand at all times.
• Do not carry objects or loads that could cause loss of balance or falling.
• Always work with a spotter!

Foldout (Step) Ladders

• Do not use the top or top step of a stepladder as a step.
• Do not use the cross bracing on the rear section of the ladder unless the ladder is specifically designed with steps on both sections.
• Metal spreader or locking devices must be provided on stepladders to the front and back section in an open position when the ladders are being used. Ensure that the spreaders are in good condition and securely connected.
• Don’t climb a closed step ladder. The feet are not designed for this and there is a good likelihood that the ladder will slip out from under you.

Step Stools

• Step stools are commonly used in libraries and laboratories to access shelves, etc.
• Consider using a small step ladder rather than a step stool.
• The small step ladder provides better stability and the hand hold helps users maintain their balance which minimizes the potential for falls.