Campus Safety

To get the latest COVID-19 update, please visit Academy of Art University’s Response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

Dedicated Email and Phone Number for Questions on Coronavirus:

Email: covid19info@academyart.edu
Toll-Free Phone: 1-877-412-2787
Phone Hours: 24 hours a day, 7 days per week

State and Local Info

Text COVID19SF to the shortcode 888-777 to get the latest updates about San Francisco health concerns.

• State of CA Updated Guidance to Prepare and Protect CA from Covid-19
• Higher Education Guidance on Novel Coronavirus or COVID-19
• CDC Coronavirus symptoms

The following public health resources may be useful to you and answer many frequently asked questions:

• CDC website
• San Francisco Department of Public Health website

If you are showing any symptoms, or in the past 14 days may have been exposed to or in contact with someone who has COVID-19, you can book an appointment at the Embarcadero and SOMA sites to get tested. Results should be available in less than a week.

In order to keep everyone as safe as possible, if your test is positive, please immediately inform Chris Visslailli (VP of Human Resources and Chair, COVID-19 Task Force) at cvisslailli@academyart.edu or call him at 415-618-6525.

More details are available below.

• COVID-19 Testing Protocols & Guidelines

Updated List of Resources

Academy of Art University continues to provide necessary support and helpful resources during this difficult time. Below is an updated list of resources that are available to students and the entire Academy of Art community.

• Academy Resource Center (Academic Coaching, Accessibility Resources, English for Art Purposes)
• Virtual Resources (Medical, Mental Health, and COVID-19 Resources as well as Crisis Lines)

What It’s For

Your Student ID proves you’re an ArtU student. You’ll need it to:

• Get into campus buildings and dorms
  
• Use the libraries and gyms
  

You’re expected to carry it at all times. It’s tied to your access and funds, so protect it. Don’t punch holes in it or stick anything on it. Only you can use your card. It’s university property and must be shown to ArtU staff if asked.

Getting Your ID Card

If you’re in San Francisco:
Pick it up for free at 180 New Montgomery during building hours. No appointment needed.

If you’re outside the Bay Area:
Download the ID request form and email the completed version to securityofficer@academyart.edu. You’ll get a confirmation email, and your card will be mailed within 5 business days.

Questions? Call 415-618-3911.

Lost or Stolen?

Report it right away to protect your funds and access.

In person: 180 New Montgomery St, Room B-83
By phone: 415-618-3911 (24/7)

Once reported, the card is deactivated. No one else can use it. You’ll need to reactivate it or request a new one.

Need a Replacement?

Go to 180 New Montgomery B-83 during normal hours. When you get a new card, any old ones are disabled.

Free replacement if:

• The card wears out from normal use
  
• It was stolen and you have a police report
  

$30 replacement fee if:

• You lost it
  
• It’s damaged for reasons other than wear and tear
  

You can pay the fee:

1. In person at 79 New Montgomery (3rd Floor) — cash, check, or card
   
2. By phone: 415-618-6429 — credit card only
   

Bring your payment receipt or email confirmation to the Comm Center to get your new card.

Campus Safety has non-sworn uniform patrol officers patrolling all Academy of Art University campuses, 24 hours every day. The officers are well trained and sanctioned by Academy of Art University and the State of California Consumer Affairs Department to serve and protect the Academy community.

The uniform patrol officers patrol the campus in marked Academy vehicles and on foot. They are trained in first aid/CPR, laws of arrest, crime prevention, Neighborhood Emergency Response Team (N.E.R.T.), and customer service for the Academy community.

Left: Ari Artadi (Assistant Director, Field Operations) /

Right: Patrol Team

Academy of Art University supplies each building with Campus Hosts, who act as liaisons between the public and Campus Safety. As part of their duties, Campus Hosts:

• Welcome guests and describe the buildings in which they work
• Limit access to buildings to students and invited guests
• Provide answers to common questions regarding the Academy
• Contact Campus Safety, 911, the police, or fire departments when necessary
• Describe the neighborhood and campus buildings in order to direct students to Academy properties and locations of importance (e.g. post offices, banks, bus lines, etc.)
• Provide Academy brochures and collateral to parents, guests, and students
• Describe emergency standard operating procedures and disaster recovery plans
• Provide information about the Academy’s private campus buses

The Academy of Art Communication Center serves our campus students and staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Staffed with professionals who monitor the University through radio, telephone, and video surveillance technologies, the team is highly trained to answer any question.

The Communication Center is also responsible for being the Emergency Operations Center for the University if a disaster strikes the city of San Francisco.

The Academy of Art University’s Emergency Preparedness Plan has been prepared to provide a framework for the university’s overall emergency preparedness.

How quickly a company recovers after an earthquake, fire, or power outage often depends on the emergency planning done today. Establishing guidelines and procedures to prepare for natural and man-made disasters helps ensure that the Academy responds effectively to any emergency situation.

A commitment to planning supports not only our faculty, staff, and students—it impacts the greater community. In an emergency situation, everyone benefits from being prepared.

What Does the Plan Do?

• Establishes guidelines and procedures to allow Academy of Art University to effectively respond to any emergency
• Provides a framework for response to emergency situations that could impact normal Academy operations
• Describes the emergency response system that protects life, property, and the environment

What are the Academy’s Emergency Priorities?

During an emergency, the Academy has three major priorities:

1. First and foremost is our goal to protect the lives and safety of our faculty, staff, and students
2. Next, we will secure the University’s critical infrastructure and facilities
3. And finally, the Academy will support the resumption of teaching and the overall operation of the university

Structure of the Plan

The Plan focuses on the three primary phases of crisis management:

• Now—How to respond to the immediate crisis, how to evacuate the building, and where are the safe zones for each building and other important information.
• Next—Once the immediate crisis is over, the plan gives guidance on how to begin to get back to normal operations.
• Normal—The plan identifies the activities that will move Academy of Art University toward normal operations.

The Plan is designed to aid communication and decision-making during emergencies. The Plan addresses:

• Immediate Crisis—The Plan describes the Emergency Operations Center organizational structure that will respond to the crisis and work collaboratively with the police, fire department and other first responders.
• A Variety of Crisis Scenarios—The plan describes how to deal with and manage specific types of emergencies/disasters such as fire, earthquake, significant power outage, and other types of emergencies.
• Staying Prepared—The plan serves as a means for providing ongoing educational materials for employees and students on the basics of emergency preparedness and response.

How Can You Prepare for an Emergency?

• Sign up for emergency text messages from the Campus Safety Department as seen documented further down this page.
• Know what the alarm sounds like that signals you to exit the building.
• Know how to exit your building and where the safe zone is.
• Know what is expected in a variety of emergency situations such as fire, earthquake, severe weather, workplace violence, etc.
• Know who your building warden is and who your floor warden is.
• Keep Campus Safety’s phone number (1-415-618-3911) close to your telephone and/or on speed dial on your cell phone. If you are unsure how to respond to an emergency, call Campus Safety and follow their instructions.

What You Need to Do In An Emergency

Stay calm, contact Campus Safety at (1-415-618-3911) and then follow their directions. Depending on the situation you may be instructed to evacuate the building or shelter in place.

Evacuating the Building

• Do not use the elevator
• Take the stairs—always know where the stairwell is in relation to your classroom
• Alert the floor warden if you have a student or colleague who has a mobility, sight, or hearing impairment
• Leave the building and go to the designated safe zone—do not leave the area until you have been dismissed

Sheltering in Place

If you have been told to shelter in place due to a potentially violent situation:

• Secure the door to your office or classroom by either locking it or putting furniture against the door
• Gather in a corner of the room that is to the right or left of the door. Do not gather near the door or directly across from the door
• Sit quietly on the floor until the all-clear signal is given
• Maintaining silence is very important in this situation—do not talk or make any noise.

Following an Emergency or Disaster:

• Follow the instructions from Campus Safety or First Responders
• You may be asked to refrain from using your cell phone, particularly in the event of an earthquake
• Implement the personal emergency plan that your family may have put into place, and contact family members and friends outside of the Bay Area per your family’s plan
• Report to a Red Cross shelter if your home has been damaged or compromised such as it might be following an earthquake

If the Disaster or Emergency Takes Place on the Weekend or After-Hours:

• You will receive a text message from Campus Safety if you have signed up for this free service
• Tune to KCBS AM 740, KGO AM 810 or go to the Academy of Art University website for information
• Contact your department’s emergency coordinator

Follow these tips to help you stay safe when you’re out and about:

• Always be aware of your surroundings and property in a public place
• If you think someone or something is suspicious, request the police and/or Campus Safety to investigate your suspicions
• Joggers should vary their times and locations of travel, using well lit and traveled locations for jogging
• Don’t hitchhike or accept rides from strangers
• Be careful when wearing or carrying expensive jewelry or other items in public
• Never leave possessions unattended on or off campus

The Crime Prevention Unit is comprised of members of the Management, Patrol, Dispatch, and Campus Host units, and is tasked with developing safety programs and disseminating information to the Academy community on crime prevention. The unit utilizes Campus Safety units as well as other outside resources to ensure a safe Academy community.