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Building Policies

The Faculty of Music building policies outline how we can all share Savvas Chamberlain Music Building and other campus spaces respectfully. From booking practice rooms and storing instruments to understanding building hours, knowing these guidelines ensures that we use our spaces responsibly. 

Building Hours

The Savvas Chamberlain Music Building and many other campus buildings are open from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m.

Once the building is locked, security policy does not permit people already in the building to allow others inside. Controlled OneCard access is available to the building between 6 a.m. to 7 a.m.

Questions? Email musicdesk@wlu.ca.

Student Teaching

Only faculty hired by the university may teach in university facilities, including practice rooms.

Legal issues with respect to insurance prohibit students from teaching privately in any part of the Savvas Chamberlain Music Building, including the practice rooms. Security will enforce this policy.

Practice rooms are only intended for current music students to practice.

Severe Weather or Storm Closing

The decision to close the university’s Waterloo campus due to severe weather will be made by the president or designate.

  • When the University is closed, the closing is for both day and night and the university will reopen at 7 a.m. the next day.
  • Radio stations that can be expected to carry announcements include 570 AM News Talk, CHYM (96.7 FM), KOOL-FM (105.3 FM), OLDIES 1090 and CKCO and Brantford CKPC.
  • A campus closing notice will be posted on the university’s homepage and there will be an automated message on the university’s main telephone numbers by 7 a.m.
  • The announcement will also be available via the SafeHawk app and university social media (University Policy 7.6).

Music Stands

Music stands are supplied by the Faculty of Music in your instructors’ studio during lessons, for large ensemble rehearsals, in some classrooms and for Faculty concerts.

Music stands are available for purchase from the The Hawk Shop or you may bring one from home for all other uses.

Corridors

We require all Faculty of Music hallways to be completely accessible.

  • Do not obstruct the corridors with furniture, instruments and books.
  • When sitting in the hallway, please do not extend your legs into the traffic area.
  • Do not move furniture out of the classrooms into the hallways.

Booking Practice, Rehearsal and Performance Space

Music students, staff, and faculty may book rooms in Skedda, the Faculty of Music’s room booking software. Instructions on how to use Skedda are emailed at the beginning of each fall and winter term.

  • Rooms that are available to book will be visible in Skedda.
  • From 6 to 7 a.m., entry into the Savvas Chamberlain Music Building should be done by tapping one’s OneCard at the exterior door.

Space Usage Guidelines

Using these spaces is a privilege, and not a right. Please leave all rooms in good condition after use. Breaching the rules below or misusing practice spaces or the booking software will result in your booking privileges being revoked.

  • Do not eat inside of practice rooms or near any Faculty of Music piano.
  • Do not leave belongings unattended in a practice room. The Faculty of Music is not responsible for lost or stolen items.
  • There is no “saving” of rooms by leaving belongings or equipment in a room.
  • If you are no longer planning to use a room during the time you have booked, kindly log in to Skedda and cancel your booking. 
  • If a booked 1st or 2nd floor practice room remains empty 15 minutes after the booking time, the reservation will be considered forfeited and the room can be used by someone else. This policy helps ensure fair and efficient use of our practice spaces.
  • All practice rooms are reserved for students who are registered in the Faculty of Music. If you notice that someone is in a practice space that is not a student in the Faculty of Music, you are encouraged to call security at 519.885.3333. Private teaching is not permitted in any practice spaces (see Student Teaching above).

Skedda and general room booking questions can be directed to musicdesk@wlu.ca 

Theatre Auditorium and Maureen Forrester Recital Hall

Students may book the Faculty of Music’s Performance Facilities for rehearsals, concerts, recordings, and club events. There may be charges in order to use these spaces.

To book and get a quote, contact Mathew Kensett at mkensett@wlu.ca. 

Classrooms

Booking classrooms for specific purposes can be done through musicdesk@wlu.ca or in person at the Music Desk, M5008. It is a privilege to use these rooms.

The normal policy is that practicing should take place in a practice room. We appreciate your cooperation with sharing our spaces respectfully.

Lockers for Books and Instruments

The Faculty of Music offers individual lockers and individual shelves in shared lockers to be rented for $30 per school year (September through April). 

  • The type of locker space you are assigned will be based on academic-related instrument/equipment needs first, with the option to upgrade to a larger locker if one becomes available. 
  • Lockers are located on the second, third and fourth floors of the Savvas Chamberlain Music Building. 
  • The rental fee includes the lock: 
    • Faculty of Music locks must be used. Other locks used will be cut off. 
    • If your lock ceases to work, a replacement will be available at M5008 free of charge. 
  • Do not affix anything to the inside or outside of the lockers. 
  • Do not attach any hooks or hanging hardware to the doors. 

Instrument storage lockers cannot be guaranteed for students enrolled in technique courses. Visit M5008 or email musicdesk@wlu.ca for availability. The Faculty of Music is not responsible for any instruments left in lockers or studios.

The Faculty of Music, and Wilfrid Laurier University, do not accept liability for stolen or damaged instruments; please ensure that your instrument is properly and adequately insured and labelled. Any damage to lockers may result in the student being charged for repairs.

Property Damage Acknowledgement and Release

The Notice below contains important information for students (“You”) regarding the risks of and responsibility for equipment damage while enrolled at or attending Wilfrid Laurier University (the “University”). Please read the notice carefully:

1. Ensuring the Safety of your Instruments: Students are responsible for the safety of their personally owned musical instrument(s) when these instruments are located on any Wilfrid Laurier University campus, whether enrolled in Faculty of Music courses or not. To keep your instrument safe, consider doing the following:
  • When storing your instrument in a locker on campus, keeping the lock locked at all times when you are not actively using the locker
  • When renting a locker by yourself, not sharing your lock combination with anyone else
  • When renting a locker designated to be shared by 2-3 people, not sharing the lock combination outside of those 2-3 people renting the locker
  • Ensuring your instrument is stored properly in its case when not in use, and that the case is latched shut correctly
  • Using a hard case to store your instrument, rather than a soft case
  • When attending or participating in a rehearsal in a performance facility or elsewhere, keeping your instrument with you at all times and/or ensuring it is stored correctly in its case and out of the way of foot traffic; foot traffic includes performance facilities staff moving in the space as part of their employment duties
  • Labelling your instrument and/or its case with your name
  • Purchasing adequate insurance for your instrument

2. Responsibility for Costs: By enrolling as a student in any program at Wilfrid Laurier University, you agree that you will solely be responsible for any damages or costs resulting from damage to your own equipment or any rented equipment, other than any damage caused by the willful acts of damage or destruction by the Releasees (as defined below).

3. Release: You agree to release and forever discharges the University, and its Board of Governors, employees, agents, assigns, and successors (the “Releasees”) from all manner of actions, causes of action, debts, accounts, claims, and demands for or by reason of any damage or loss to property as described in this notice, except as otherwise stated in clause 2 above.