High School Faculty and Staff Regulation 809

I. Purpose 

Because UNCSA includes high school students, most of whom are minors, this regulation addresses specific issues that apply to the high school community. This regulation supplements the policies and regulations in the UNCSA Policy Manual, all of which remain applicable to high school students, faculty, and staff.  

The University of North Carolina School of the Arts offers a distinctive high school program for 9th - 12th graders that integrates rigorous academic courses with specialized arts training in music, dance, drama, and visual arts. Students at UNCSA receive a conservatory-style education, combining pre-professional arts instruction with a strong academic curriculum, preparing them for careers in the performing and visual arts or higher education. The high school division provides a creative and challenging environment where students are encouraged to develop their talents, work collaboratively, and engage in a vibrant artistic community. Faculty and staff play an essential role in fostering students' artistic growth and academic success, supporting their development as both artists and scholars. 

Because High School faculty and staff are essential to the development of high school students, they must establish and maintain appropriate boundaries with students, both in person and in all forms of communication (including email, text, social media, etc.). Interactions must always be in the best interest of the student. 

All faculty and staff working with the high school population should familiarize themselves with the UNCSA Policy Manual, the UNCSA High School Student Handbook, the Faculty Manual, and the High School Bulletin.  

II. Transportation of High School Students 

A. Off-campus transportation should always prioritize the safety and well-being of students. 

B. Permission: Students must have written permission through the REACH system from their parents or guardians and approval from Residence Life before leaving campus for any off-site event or activity. 

C. Clear Communication: Ensure that all transportation logistics are communicated clearly to students, residence life staff and their families well in advance of the event. 

D. Vehicles: There are approved staff members and available school vehicles for transporting minors. No faculty member should transport a student in their personal vehicle unless approved by the Vice Provost for Student Affairs and with parental consent. 

E. Safety: Ensure that faculty, staff and students are aware of safety protocols (e.g., emergency contacts, behavior expectations, etc.) before any off-campus travel. 

III. Physical Contact During Instruction 

In some disciplines, touch plays an important role in instruction, providing essential feedback for students. For instance, a voice professor may press on a student's diaphragm to demonstrate breath control, or a dance teacher might use their hands to guide a student's body position. At UNCSA, instructors might use touch to support students' artistic development. Regardless, instructors must be mindful of the student needs, preferences, and comfort levels by adhering to the following: 

A. Permission and Consent: Always ask for permission and describe exactly how and where contact will be made and what purpose it serves before physically interacting with a student (e.g., adjusting their posture, positioning their hands, etc.). Respect any student who expresses discomfort or refuses touch. 

B. Safe Touch: If physical guidance is required for artistic instruction (e.g., in dance, theater, music or visual arts), use the least invasive method possible and prioritize verbal instruction. If touch is essential, ensure it is brief, appropriate, and aimed at enhancing the student’s learning experience. Limit touch to what is necessary for the instruction and appropriate for the student's age, needs, and comfort. 

C. Explain touch: If touch will be needed, include when, why, and how touch may occur. 

D. Boundaries: Understand and respect both your own boundaries and the boundaries of your students. Never engage in physical contact that could be interpreted as inappropriate or unnecessary. If a student expresses discomfort with touch, stop immediately, address the concern, and report the situation to the appropriate authority (such as Program Director, Dean or Department Head). Be aware of individual differences in how students may perceive touch. Recognize that students experience touch differently based on their cultural background, age, gender, and personal experiences. 

IV. Communication, Correspondence, and Social Media with High School Students 

Social media and digital communication can be valuable tools for artistic curation, promotion, recruitment, sharing, and networking, but they also require great care when interacting with high school students. 

A. Official Platforms Only: All communication with students must occur through official school channels (e.g., school email accounts or learning management systems). Schools may designate approved communication platforms in addition to email and Canvas where appropriate.  Personal emails and social media accounts must never be used to interact or “chat” with students. Faculty and staff should not use their personal social media accounts to “follow” a high school student’s social media accounts.  UNCSA school-sponsored public accounts are the exception, used with discernment.  

B. Private Messaging: Faculty and staff may not send private messages to high school students on personal social platforms (Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, etc.). Always use school-approved messaging services and maintain professional boundaries. Faculty and staff who receive a message on a social media platform may respond, but only to redirect the student to the school-approved platform. 

C. Texting or calling a student’s personal number must only be used in case of emergency. Always ensure that communication remains professional, appropriate, and in alignment with the conservatory's values and policies. 

D. Transparency: Communication between faculty/staff and students should be transparent. Always have that front of mind when communicating with students. 

E. Group Communication: Whenever possible, use group chats or email threads that include other students and/or their parents, especially for important announcements or scheduling. 

V. Revision History

A. June 16, 2025 – Adopted by the Chancellor as part of UNCSA Policy Manual