Policy Statements
(The following subsections summarize some of the most important policies that govern the relationship between students and NEC, including policies that address student responsibilities as an NEC community member. For the full, currently-effective versions of certain policies linked below, see the NEC website at https://necmusic.edu/student-handbook.)
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Students have an obligation to behave honorably and ethically in carrying out their academic, musical, and personal activities. In conjunction with the Discipline Committee, the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising will adjudicate issues of academic or personal integrity, including cheating or plagiarism. Please see the Student Handbook for a full description of Academic Integrity.
ANTI-BULLYING POLICY
The state of Massachusetts defines bullying as “the repeated use by one or more students of a written, verbal or electronic expression or a physical act or gesture or any combination thereof, directed at a victim that: (i) causes physical or emotional harm to the victim or damage to the victim’s property; (ii) places the victim in reasonable fear of harm to himself or of damage to his property; (iii) creates a hostile environment at school for the victim; (iv) infringes on the rights of the victim at school; or (v) materially and substantially disrupts the education process or the orderly operation of a school.” New England Conservatory will not tolerate bullying in any form. Students who believe they have been or are being bullied should report the incident to the Dean of Students & Campus Life.
GRADE APPEALS
Where a student challenges a final grade for reasons other than computation or recording errors, the student should first speak with the faculty member who issued the grade. If the outcome of this conference is not satisfactory to the student, the student may then submit a written appeal (not to exceed two pages) addressed to the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising, setting forth the basis for the appeal. The student may attach any written work of the student or other documentation that the student believes is relevant. The Assistant Dean will make a threshold determination whether the appeal is timely and states permissible grounds for a potential grade change. If so, the Assistant Dean may resolve the appeal or designate another NEC administrator to be the decision-maker.
A grade appeal must be submitted within seven (7) calendar days after the student receives notice of the grade in question; the decision-maker will typically resolve the grade appeal within 21 calendar days thereafter.
The decision-maker will confer with the faculty member about the basis for the grade. The decision-maker will not substitute their judgment for that of the faculty member and a grade will only be changed if the decision-maker determines that the grade was arbitrary, capricious, in violation of NEC rules or policies, or if the faculty member and decision-maker agree that an improvement in the grade is appropriate. The decision-maker will issue a written decision to the student and faculty member.
If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the decision-maker, they may request a final review by the Dean and Chief Academic Officer. The written request for further review to the Dean and Chief Academic Officer should not exceed two pages, but may also attach the initial grade appeal. The student must submit any request for final review by the Dean and Chief Academic Officer within 7 calendar days after being sent the decision. The Dean and Chief Academic Officer will review the materials submitted by the student and may confer with the decision-maker and faculty member or others as appropriate. The Dean and Chief Academic Officer will use the same standard of review as the decision-maker: the Dean and Chief Academic Officer will not substitute their judgment for that of the faculty member and a grade will only be changed if the Dean and Chief Academic Officer finds the grade was arbitrary, capricious, in violation of NEC rules or policies, or if the faculty member and the Dean and Chief Academic Officer agree that an improvement in the grade is appropriate. The Dean and Chief Academic Officer will typically reach a decision within 14 calendar days of receiving the request for final review.
The timelines in this policy may be extended and these procedures modified by the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising or the Dean and Chief Academic Officer as needed to ensure full and fair resolution of the appeal. In addition, the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising or the Dean and Chief Academic Officer have the discretion to stay a grade appeal where it is determined that another NEC process or investigation must be completed to ensure full and fair resolution of the appeal. For example, grade appeals involving NEC’s Policy Against Sex Discrimination and related formal processes, Equal Opportunity & Anti-Discrimination Policy, Diversity & Respect Policy, or those arising under any other policy that already includes its own specific appeal or grievance policy will be referred for investigation and review under those policies. Any such modifications will be communicated in writing to the student and faculty member and will apply only for that matter.
GRIEVANCE POLICY
The following General Grievance Policy applies to all academic and/or course related grievances by students except those covered under NEC’s Policy Against Sex Discrimination and related formal processes, or Equal Opportunity & Anti-Discrimination Policy, Diversity & Respect Policy, or those arising under any other policy that already includes its own specific appeal or grievance process (e.g., student grade appeals, student FERPA appeal, or student Section 504 grievance appeals).
Direct discussion often resolves issues in a manner that allows both parties to move forward constructively; as such, any student who believes that they have been aggrieved by the application of an academic policy or other educational decision should, if comfortable doing so, first raise the issue with the faculty member or administrator who applied the policy or made the decision in question. If the student is not comfortable doing so, the student may first raise the issue with the Chair of the appropriate department.
Any grievance should be raised within 30 academic days of the action or decision that forms the basis of the grievance. (“Academic days” means calendar days while school is in session and therefore excludes summer, semester, or spring breaks). The faculty member, administrator or Chair will typically respond in writing within 10 academic days of receipt of the grievance. The response will be shared with the student.
If the student is not satisfied with the response by the faculty member, administrator, or Chair, they may seek further review from the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs for Advising. Such further review should be sought within 10 academic days of the initial response by the faculty member, administrator, or Chair. The Assistant Dean will typically respond in writing within 10 academic days of the receipt of the grievance. Sometimes a grievance may include concerns grievable under this Policy but also concerns requiring processing or prior investigation under some other policy.
Depending upon the nature of the grievance and the issues raised, the Assistant Dean may respond by not resolving the grievance on the merits but, instead, by forwarding the grievance for prior investigation by the Dean of Students or another office, for outside investigation prior to resolution, or for processing under a different policy, including, without limitation, NEC’s anti-discrimination or Title IX policies. In such circumstances, the student and faculty member or administrator in question will be informed by the Assistant Dean about how the grievance will be investigated and resolved.
If the student is not satisfied with the response by the Assistant Dean, they may, within 10 academic days of the Assistant Dean’s response, seek a final review from the Dean and Chief Academic Officer. The Dean and Chief Academic Officer will review the grievance and conduct an inquiry in the level deemed appropriate in the Dean’s discretion; the Dean and Chief Academic Officer will then make a written determination within 30 academic days, which will be provided to the student and the faculty member or administrator whose decision is under review. This resolution will be final and binding.
The time limits and procedures set forth in this Grievance Policy may be extended or modified by the Conservatory in its discretion in order to obtain a full and fair resolution of student grievances.
RETALIATION
Retaliation for making good faith reports of student misconduct or for participating, cooperating, or being associated with an investigation or student conduct process, is prohibited. Anyone who believes they have been the target of prohibited retaliation should immediately contact the Dean of Students and Campus Life.
Any person found to have engaged in prohibited retaliation shall be subject to disciplinary action.
UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION OR HARASSMENT
It is the policy of the Conservatory to maintain a work and academic environment that is free of sexual harassment and discriminatory actions based on race, color, gender, gender identity, age, sexual orientation, religion, ethnic or national origin, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veterans’ status, membership in uniformed services, or any other protected status. Unlawful employment discrimination and sexual harassment by officers, managers, faculty, supervisors, employees, students, advisors, vendors, clientele, and contractors will not be tolerated.
Further, any retaliation against an individual who has complained about sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination, or retaliation against individuals for cooperating with an investigation of a complaint of sexual harassment or unlawful discrimination, is similarly unlawful and will not be tolerated.
The Conservatory will investigate complaints of violation of its policies against discrimination and harassment. Members of the NEC community who violate NEC's policies against discrimination and harassment will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment, suspension, and/or expulsion.
POLICY AGAINST SEX DISCRIMINATION
New England Conservatory is committed to adopting policies that seek to provide a safe environment where all students can reach their artistic, academic and personal potential. The Conservatory complies with state and federal law relating to sexual misconduct and sexual- or gender-based discrimination or harassment, including, without limitation, Title IX of the Higher Education Amendment Act (1972). NEC’s Policy Against Sex Discrimination, including sexual misconduct and sexual harassment, as well as resources for individuals who have been impacted by such discrimination, are located on our website at https://necmusic.edu/policies/.
PERFORMANCE AND RECORDING RELEASE POLICY
All concerts presented by NEC performing groups/organizations as part of NEC’s academic concert calendar may be audiotaped, filmed, or videotaped by NEC. In addition, NEC may engage in commercial audio recording, film and video projects featuring its performing groups/organizations. NEC reserves all rights to these audio recordings, films or videotapes (known collectively hereafter as “Recordings”), including the right to broadcast, license, assign, and distribute the Recordings and derivatives thereof in all media, for any purpose and without limitation. All NEC students assign to NEC all copyright and other rights in such performances and Recordings, including any proceeds earned from commercial distribution or other use of the Recordings. In addition, a student’s name and likeness in the published materials associated with these Recordings may be used by NEC and its agents. NEC is released from any claims arising out of broadcast, commercial distribution and promotion of these recordings.
JORDAN HALL VIDEO AND AUDIO RECORDING POLICY
NEC students and student ensembles may have opportunities to perform in NEC’s Jordan Hall. Jordan Hall concerts are audio recorded by NEC’s professional engineering staff and archived in the Blumenthal Family Library. Recordings of required student recitals or NEC student ensembles can be requested through the NEC Audio/Visual Services department. Students presenting unrequired recitals may hire the AVS department to record (audio/video/stream) their recital for a fee.
Students who would like to hire a videographer for NEC ensemble concerts must first seek approval from NEC’s Dean and Chief Artistic Officer at least 30 days in advance of the concert date. Any requests approved for video recording of Jordan Hall concerts will be done so under the following conditions:
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The video recording is for your own personal evaluation and archival use. NEC authorizes you to duplicate and submit the recording for audition purposes, if you so desire.
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You will not post the video online on YouTube, your personal website or on any other website. Any desire to post the video in any public domain must be approved in advance by the Conservatory.
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Questions about this policy should be directed to NEC’s Marketing Department, Recording and Performance Technology Department, or other appropriate NEC administrative office.
Placement of video cameras will be at the discretion of the House and Stage Managers and will not be allowed to obstruct any aisle, doorway or other means of egress.
PHOTO RELEASE POLICY
NEC activities and students are often photographed for use in NEC promotional materials and publicity efforts. These photographs may be used in a publication, print ad, direct-mail piece, electronic media (e.g. video, CDROM, online) or other form of promotion. All NEC students release NEC from liability for any violation of any personal or proprietary rights in connection with such use.
CARE OF PERSONAL PROPERTY POLICY
Students who bring articles of personal property onto the premises of the Conservatory do so at their own risk. The Conservatory assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable for any articles, including instruments, that are lost or stolen. The Conservatory urges students to leave valuables at home or to obtain appropriate property insurance. The Conservatory recommends obtaining private insurance if your belongings are not covered by your family’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance policy.