Other Policies

Faculty Employment of Students
Parsons students are fortunate to meet and study with active, practicing professional artists, designers, scholars and critics in their programs. In addition to the regular course content, students benefit from the insights they gain into the professional world outside the classroom, and make contacts and connections that often lead to employment opportunities. This is one of our greatest assets. At the same time, Parsons faculty often benefit from the opportunity to meet and work with intelligent, creative and energetic young artists and designers. For some, students are excellent candidates for internships for part-time work in the faculty member's own studio, firm or practice.

In order to ensure that the mutual benefits of this situation are fully realized, the following considerations should guide faculty who consider employing Parsons students:

• Any student employed by a faculty member must be compensated.
• Students should be paid a fair rate, comparable to rates paid for other employees performing similar work; no student should be paid less than thecurrent minimum wage.
• For-credit work should meet the standards set for internships at Parsons including the approval of the Department Chair, compliance with normal credit-hour standards and all institutional regulations for registration and grading.Full-time students should not be required to work more than 20 hours per weekduring the academic year.
• Faculty should give serious consideration to opportunities for potential conflict of interest, particularly if considering the hiring of a studentcurrently enrolled in his/her class.
• Any questions about the appropriateness of employing students should be addressed to the Department Chair or Office of Student Advising.
• Faculty may consult with the Office of Career Services in developing internship possibilities.

Field Trips
When field trips are planned, prior approval must be obtained from the Department Chair. Students must receive adequate notice and complete instructions. Field trips should not be scheduled in conflict with students' other classes. Faculty members are responsible for ensuring that student conduct is appropriate.

Special field trips or long distance travel requiring parental permission (required by law) should be cleared through the Department in which the class is held. A form releasing the School from liability must be signed by the student (if the student is over 21) or the parent (if under 21) in advance. These forms may be obtained from your department. See Excursion Policy under Teaching Policies.