Effective Date: May 10, 2016
Last Reviewed: May 10, 2016
Any “civil operation,” as that term is used by the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (“UAV” or “drone”) must comply with the rules and regulations of the FAA. Should the Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopt additional rules and regulations, this policy shall also require compliance with such rules. Anyone, including a faculty member or Campus Department, wishing to utilize a drone in conjunction with academic or college-business must ensure that the drone has at a minimum received a Section 333 Exemption/Certificate of Waiver or Authorization from the FAA, and must demonstrate that the individual operating the drone is properly licensed in accordance with FAA regulations. The College does not allow the operation of drones which operate under a Special Airworthiness Certificate without prior written approval of the Stonehill College Chief of Police in consultation with the College’s Office of the General Counsel.
Prior to civil operation of a drone on the Stonehill Campus, proof of compliance with FAA regulations must be presented to the Stonehill College Chief of Police or his/her designee, including proof of licensure to operate a drone under the requirements of civil operation, and must receive prior written approval from the Chief of Police or his/her designee to operate the drone.
Any operation of a UAV for “hobby” or “recreational purposes,” as those terms are used by the FAA, must comply with Section 336 of Public law 112-95, The FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, as amended from time to time. Should the Commonwealth of Massachusetts adopt additional rules and regulations, this policy shall also require compliance with such rules. Anyone, including a guest, student, faculty member, or employee, who wishes to operate a UAV on campus for hobby or recreational purposes must receive prior written approval from the Chief of Police or his/her designee to operate the drone.
In addition to compliance with any and all state or federal regulations which apply to the operation of a UAV, the College provides the following additional campus rules regarding the operation of a UAV:
1. All UAV’s must fly below 400 feet and remain clear of surrounding obstacles.
2. The operator of a UAV must keep the UAV within his or her visual line of sight at all times.
3. A UAV may not be operated over any Stonehill College athletic field without the express written permission of the Chief of Police in consultation with the Director of Athletics.
4. No UAV over 10 lbs. is allowed to be used on the Stonehill Campus without the prior written approval of the Stonehill College Chief of Police in consultation with the College’s Office of the General Counsel.
5. The consumption of alcohol or other drugs while operating a drone or the operation of a drone while under the influence of alcohol or other drugs is expressly forbidden. For the purposes of this section, the College will apply the same standards applicable to the operation of a motor vehicle within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
6. A UAV may not be used inside a campus building or residence hall.
Violation of this policy may result in loss of operation privileges and may include additional consequences up to and including dismissal of a student from the College or termination of the employment of an employee.