GAFA Code of Conduct Policies
Code of Conduct Guidelines
The Code of Conduct is applicable to all students, staff, faculty, independent contractors and guests of The Glasgow Academy of Fine Art. The purpose of the Code of Conduct is to provide guidelines that ensure the safety and the proper functioning of the Glasgow Academy of Fine Art and its community.
The Glasgow Academy of Fine Art (GAFA) expects its students to display a serious work ethic and a sincere desire to learn the techniques taught by the Academy. Students are expected to show respect towards themselves, all members of the community, and the Academy itself. Students are expected to comply with all the rules outlined in the Code of Conduct. Students are expected to refrain from conduct that injures any persons or property, or impedes in any way the orderly functioning of the Academy, or in any way prevents the work of its faculty, staff, models, students or guests.
Any conduct that is in violation of the Code of Conduct will result in class removal and/or dismissal from current and future GAFA courses and events. Instructors and Administration have the right to refuse admittance to classes, workshops, programs and events based on violation of this Code of Conduct.
Prohibited Conduct
Conduct that threatens the safety or security of the GAFA community, or substantially disrupts the functions or operation of the Academy is within the jurisdiction of this Code of Conduct regardless of whether the conduct occurs on or off site of the Academy.
Unacceptable conduct
Unacceptable conduct includes but is not limited to the following:
1. Disrespecting the studio environment in any way or the tone established by the instructors’ for their classes. Disrupting the instructors’ process of teaching, either during individual critiques or during group demonstrations. Preventing instructors’ from taking scheduled breaks and meals.
2. Attending any class, lecture or workshop without having made payment or agreed upon and adhered to a payment plan with Administration. This does not apply to “free & open to the public events.”
3. Violating the Model Etiquette Policy as set out below.
4. Excessive absences, tardiness or early departures without prior approval of the Faculty or Staff. Medical needs and concerns that prevent attendance should be discussed with Administration. Doctor’s notes may need to be provided. When entering a studio late or while in session, please do so quietly and discreetly during a break.
5. Destruction or theft of GAFA or student, staff, faculty, or guests’ property or work. Return any books borrowed from the library when finished.
6. Damage to GAFA studio spaces and facilities. If anything is broken or damaged through regular use or accident, please alert the studio manager and/or Administration for repair or disposal.
7. Failure to follow cleaning and fire safety guidelines: Only clean brushes and palettes in the designated area. Dispose of rags or kitchen roll in the fire-safe metal bins. If the bins are all full, please alert the studio manager. Use only odourless mineral spirits (OMS) rather than turpentine, and keep all OMS in containers with lids, covered as often as possible. Dirty mineral spirits should be disposed of in the large, safe disposal containers in each studio. Turn off & unplug any and all heaters when finished, if the studio manager is not present to do so.
8. Failure to keep studio, workspace and common areas tidy. Artists should pick up after themselves and leave the studio space ready for the next class, artists, and guests.
9. Failure to comply with the hours of use for the building/studio. Please clean up well in advance of closing times.
10. Taking photographs and/or the recording of instructors and artists at work or artist’s work without their explicit permission.
11. Any conduct not in agreement with the professional ethical standards of GAFA.
12. Harassment of any kind including, but not limited to, threats and sexual harassment to any member of the community or their guests.
13. Physical abuse on or off GAFA premises of the person or property of any member of the community.
14. Possession or usage of dangerous chemicals, explosives or deadly weapons on GAFA property or at a GAFA event onsite or elsewhere.
15. Abusive behavior including the use of profanity directed toward staff, faculty, students, models, guests or visitors.
16. Throwing objects toward or at GAFA staff, faculty, students, models guests or visitors.
17. Obscene, lewd, or indecent behavior on GAFA premises.
18. No smoking or drug use is permitted inside GAFA premises. Working under the influence of illegal substances is not permitted.
19. Only those 18 & over may drink on the premises including at any GAFA events. Excessive intoxication and disruptive behavior resulting from intoxication is not condoned.
20. Engaging in arson, blocking emergency exits, or falsely activating the fire alarm system.
21. Breaking into or unauthorised use of studio facilities and/or vehicles.
22. Disruption of the Academy’s educational process, administrative process, or events.
23. Refusal to follow instructions given by Academy personnel that results or may result in bodily harm to oneself, other students, faculty or staff; including but not limited to emergency evacuation and requests to disassemble and vacate premises.
24. Violation of any published Academy rules and regulations now or later in effect.
25. Sexual violence and misconduct. GAFA prohibits any form of sexual violence, among students. Sexual violence includes domestic violence, dating violence, stalking incidents, or any forms of sexual assault or sexual misconduct. All incidents must be reported to the Administration. A fair, confidential and prompt investigation and hearing will occur that protects victims and promotes accountability. Possible sanctions for sexual abuse or violence may include but not be limited to dismissal from GAFA.
26. Discrimination or harassment based on race, gender and/or gender identity or expression, colour, creed, religion, age, national origin, ethnicity, disability, veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, genetic information, marital status or citizenship status.
Model Etiquette
Models are essential and valued members of our community. Modeling is a difficult job that can be physically and emotionally trying. All models are to be treated with the greatest respect.
1. Only the instructor, studio manager or a designated student may give the model corrections to a pose.
2. Taking pictures while a model is posing nude or clothed on the stand is prohibited. If you wish to take a photo of your own work in process, please wait until a break. The only exceptions are GAFA Staff taking pictures for publicity with the model and classes’ consent, or if a model requests a photo for the model’s portfolio taken with their own camera.
3. Do not speak negatively or behave inappropriately (including loud sighing, frustrated gestures) about a model in the studio, even if you think the model is not in the room. If models hear negative comments even about another model, that model may think he/she is also spoken about negatively.
4. If there is an issue you feel needs to be addressed about a model, please discuss it with an instructor or Administration, privately. We will look into the issue and address it appropriately.
5. Unless you are a member of our faculty, do not ask models directly for their personal contact information. It can put them on the spot. If a model has indicated they are open to sharing their information, please have your instructor or Administration ask the model on your behalf.
6. If you notice negative comments about a model getting posted on our social media accounts, please alert us immediately so we can take action/delete the comments.
*An inability to follow the Code of Conduct guidelines can result in removal from the program.*
Definitions and Description of Key Terms
“GAFA,” “Academy” means the Glasgow Academy of Fine Art.
“Threat” means intent to do harm either verbally or physically, actual or implied
“Defacing,” means to disfigure or mar.
“Weapon” means firearms, including guns of any kind, firing or non-firing; knives, including switchblades, razors and daggers; brass knuckles; metal pipes or clubs of any kind. In addition, any item used in a threatening manner.
“Obstruction” means to block, pile debris, close off or cause hazard.
“Vehicle” means any student, faculty, staff, guest owned or rented bus, van, car, or courier.
“Dangerous Chemicals” include acids, petrol, and any other flammable materials not issued by or sanctioned by the Academy for studio instruction and work.
“Drugs” include non-prescription medication, narcotics, marijuana and inhalants.
“Obscene or lewd behavior” includes public sex acts or sexual solicitation, defecation, urination, personal bodily exposure, and nudity unless sanctioned by GAFA in a classroom setting for model purposes.
“Academy Property” or “Facility” means any Academy owned or leased vehicles, building, and building contents including plumbing, office equipment, computers, software, electronics, furniture, instructional equipment as well as artwork of students, faculty, alumni, or invited guests.
“Harassment” includes, but is not limited to written, verbal, psychological or physical abuse, sexual suggestions or acts, or false accusations.
“Profanity” refers to derogatory gestures or words specifically directed towards students, staff, faculty, guests or visitors.
“Dating Violence” Violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim; (1) the existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the reporting party’s statement and with consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. (2) For the purpose of this definition dating violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse. Dating violence does not include acts covered under the definition of domestic violence.
“Domestic Violence” refers to a crime of violence committed by a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim. By a person with whom the victim shares a child in common. By a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a spouse or intimate partner. By a person similarly situated to a spouse or the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the area in which the crime of violence occurred, or by any other person against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person’s acts under the domestic or family violence laws or the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred.
“Stalking” refers to engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for the person’s safety or the safety of others; or suffer substantial emotional distress. For the purpose of this definition means two or more acts, including, but not limited to, acts in which the stalker directly, indirectly, or through third parties, by any action, method, device, or means follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, or communicates to or about, a person, or interferes with a person’s property. Substantial emotional distress means significant mental suffering or anguish that may, but does not necessarily, require medical or other professional treatment or counseling.
“Reasonable person” means a reasonable person under similar circumstances and with similar identities to the victim.