Music Operations Policies

Registration for Use of Thornton Resources

In order for a student to register for access to Thornton resources they MUST be either:

• 1. A Thornton Major or Minor
  2. Enrolled in a Thornton class

Upon registering with Music Operations, students will receive a Music Sticker for their USCard. For Majors and Minors this lasts for the full academic year. Students enrolled in at least one Thornton class will need to update their Music Sticker each semester they’re enrolled.**Periodic audits (particularly following drop/add deadlines) will be conducted. If we find that you have changed status or enrollment, your registration (including facility access) will be rescinded. 

Access Lists

• Faculty must provide Music Operations with a current roster of students who are allowed access to their studios by the add/drop deadline for fall and spring semesters. This list should be sent to music.operations@usc.edu.
• If the roster is not provided by the add/drop deadline, the Access List is “cleared” until a current roster is submitted, and access to that room will not be granted.
• For policies regarding key-check out for rooms with Access Lists see Keys (page 4).

Studios/Rooms with Restricted Access

• Students on the Access List may checkout the room key from the Music Operations Office (BMH 101).
• Any student who is not on the Access List will not be granted access to any restricted spaces. 

General Classrooms

• Any student with a valid Music Sticker can check out a key to general classrooms if the classroom is not reserved.

Daily Key Checkout

• All students must have a USCard in order to check out a key from Music Operations. 
• Students must be registered with Music Operations and have a current Music Sticker.
• All keys must be returned to the Music Operations Office (BMH 101) by the end of business day. Keys may not be kept overnight, with the exception of designated TMC studios (see below). 
• Key privileges will be revoked for the semester if keys are kept past the closing time on 3 occasions. Closing times may vary and can be confirmed at the time of key checkout. 
• A replacement fine of $50 per key is charged for every lost key. If multiple locks need to be re-keyed as a result of a lost key, the cost of rekeying a portion of or the entire building may be charged in addition to the lost key fine. 

Overnight Key Checkout 

• For students with overnight access privileges (Sunday-Thursday), overnight keys may be checked out one hour before the Music Operations Office (BMH 101) closes. 
• Students must return the key by 12:00pm the next day or drop it off that night in the box outside the Music Operations Office (BMH 101). 
• Overnight reservations can be scheduled by using the EMS Web App or by contacting music.scheduling@usc.edu.
• A replacement fine of $50 per key is charged for every lost key. If multiple locks need to be re-keyed as a result of a lost key, the cost of rekeying a portion of or the entire building may be charged in addition to the lost key fine.

Key Requests:

• Certain keys may be issued for the semester, the academic year, or longer. Students must have an approved faculty request their key via email to music.operations@usc.edu. For faculty/staff, this request must come from their department coordinator or supervisor. 
• Key requests are processed in the order received and can take up to 5 business days if keys are in stock (expect longer wait times at the start of each semester). All keys are provided by the University Lock Shop.
• Music Operations will notify you via email when your keys are ready to be picked up.  
• Keys must be picked up from the Music Operations Office (BMH 101) within one week of notification. A valid USC ID is required at the time of pick-up.
• Key Security: please do not label your keys! (When labeled keys are lost, they immediately compromise the security of that room or building and can lead to a re-key for that facility.)

Key Return Deadlines:

• Keys checked out for only one semester must be returned to the Music Operations Office (BMH 101) by the last day of finals for that semester.
• Keys checked out for the academic year must be returned to the Music Operations Office (BMH 101) by the last day of finals of the spring semester.
• Keys checked out for the summer must be returned to the Music Operations Office (BMH 101) by the last day of classes in the summer session.
• Failure to return a key by the assigned due date will result in a $5 per day fine for up to 10 days. After 10 days, the key will be treated as a lost key (additional $50 per lost key).

Lost Keys:

• A replacement fine of $50 per key is charged for every lost key. If multiple locks need to be re-keyed as a result of a lost key, the cost of rekeying a portion of or the entire building may be charged in addition to the lost key fine.
• Payment for lost work keys is the responsibility of the individual and cannot be covered by the department.

Key Contract Extensions:

• Extension requests must be emailed to music.operations@usc.edu by your professor/supervisor two weeks before the key return due date on your key contract. 
• Extensions may be granted after the due date and will incur a $15 late fee.

Locker Checkout:

• Lockers will be assigned to music majors and minors based on their primary instrument of study.
• Secondary lockers will be available on a first-come, first-served basis starting the second week of the school year. 
• Once your locker request has been processed, this document becomes a “Locker Contract”, and the student agrees to all terms and conditions of locker rental.
• Presentation of a valid USC ID with Music Operations registration sticker will be required at the time the locker assignment.

Locker Rental Terms and Conditions:

• Lockers must be emptied by the end of the last day of spring semester finals by 6:00pm.
• The student must use the lock and code provided by Music Operations.
• Tampering with, altering the code of, damaging, or removing the lock provided will all result in the nullification of this contract and a penalty fee of $50.00

Responsibility Clause: USC Thornton School of Music accepts no responsibility for the contents in the lockers and students are accepting that lockers are utilized at the student’s own risk. It is recommended that students provide their own insurance to cover any potential risk.

Thornton Drum Cages are issued to Thornton Division of Contemporary Music Drum Majors under the following conditions:

• The Division of Contemporary Music will assign Thornton Drum Cages to individual students for the length of one academic year.
• The Music Operations Office (BMH 101) will issue each student a padlock and key that enables the student to secure the cage to the wall in its designated “parking spot.”
  • Tampering with, altering the code of, damaging, or removing the lock provided will all result in the nullification of the Drum Cage contract and a penalty fee of $50.
• When the Thornton student is not actively transporting drum equipment, the cage must be locked in its designated location.
• If a Thornton Drum Cage is damaged, the student to whom it is assigned that cage will be charged a minimum of $50. If the cage is damaged beyond repair and needs to be replaced, the student to whom it is assigned will be charged $500 for the replacement.
• Students assigned Thornton Drum Cages must have a valid USCard with a current Music Sticker.
• Failure to abide by these conditions will result in an e-mail warning sent to the student and Instructor.

Responsibility Clause: USC Thornton School of Music accepts no responsibility for the contents in the lockers and students are accepting that lockers are utilized at the student’s own risk.

Students must complete a Drum Lab Contract and receive a signature from their instructor. After submitting the signed contract to the Music Operations Office (BMH 101), please allow 2 business days for your USCard to be programmed for access.

Access to TMC G122B will be granted upon agreement to the following terms and conditions:

• Students must be registered with Music Operations and show proof of current enrollment in MPPM-240, MPPM-340, or MPWP-440.
• Equipment is not permitted to leave TMC G122B.
• No food or beverage is allowed inside TMC G122B at any time.
• Allowing unauthorized persons into the room is prohibited.
• To preserve the life of the equipment and to maintain a consistent setting for the next instructor all kits are to be played “as is” (no adjustments allowed).  All drum kits will be pre-set for “normal” use and should not require any loosening/tightening of stands, components, etc.
• To preserve your hearing, please carefully monitor the volume setting on the headphones.
• Access to TMC G122B will be granted on a semester-long basis. If student is still enrolled in a class that requires access to TMC G122B, renewal for the next semester can be requested by e-mail correspondence to music.operations@usc.edu and the Drum Instructor.
• Failure to abide by the above terms and conditions will result in reviewal and possible revocation of privileges. 
• At the discretion of the Director of Music Operations, the student may be charged a fine of $50 per infraction of the above terms and conditions.  If replacement of any equipment in the room is required as a result of abuse, the student may be charged the cost of replacing the equipment.

*Thornton does not have instruments available for rent*

How to Checkout a Thornton Instrument:

If you are registered with Music Operations, you may ask your Thornton private lesson instructor to email music.operations@usc.edu to request an instrument loan for you. If you are assigned to an ensemble rotation and need an instrument email music.operations@usc.edu as soon as possible. Loaned instruments can be picked up from and returned to the Music Operations Office (BMH 101).

Loan Policies

• Students must be currently registered with Music Operations.
• Instrument Loan Requests must be submitted via email from your Thornton professor.
  • Exception: Instruments required for an ensemble rotation do NOT require approval from your instructor. Rotation lists are submitted to Music Operations by the Large Ensemble Manager.
• Thornton faculty and staff may also borrow instruments.
• All instruments must be returned to the Music Operations Office (BMH 101) by the designated return date.
• Late returns will result in a $5/day fine up to the cost of replacing the instrument.

Instrument Care Instructions

• All instruments/accessories must be returned in the same condition in which they were checked out. 
• Never leave the instrument/accessories unattended at the University Gateway Practice Facility (UGW) or in any public space.
• Never leave the instrument/accessories unattended in a vehicle.
• Never leave the instrument/accessories in severe weather conditions (hot or cold) for an extended period of time.
• Never lend the instrument/accessories to anyone for any length of time.

String Instrument Care Instructions

• Loosen the bow hair after each practice/playing session.
• Wipe off all rosin powder under the strings near the bridge and under the fingerboard after each practice/playing session.
• Wipe off the rosin powder from the wood of the bow after each practice/playing session.
• Wipe off all sweat from the neck and body of the instrument.

Instrument Repair

• Music Operations must be immediately notified if the instrument is damaged or requires repair.
• Only repair technicians authorized by Music Operations can repair Thornton instruments.  
  • The Lessee may deliver the instrument to the authorized repair technician with prior approval from Music Operations. 
• Lessee will not be reimbursed for any unauthorized repair.

Responsibility for Damages

• The Lessee agrees to assume responsibility for loss and/or damage of the instrument(s) due to negligence or misuse (beyond normal “wear and tear”) while the instrument is in their possession.
• USC and its insurance carriers reserve the right to pursue collection of losses for instruments covered by insurance.
• The Lessee may opt to obtain insurance coverage for the instrument via an outside agency.

• During the add/drop period (first three weeks of each semester), all scheduling requests must be sent to music.scheduling@usc.edu.
• After the end of the add/drop period, students can then use the EMS Web App to make reservations online through the last day of academic classes.
  • *The EMS web app only works on desktop web browsers.*
• In-person and over-the-phone reservations may be accommodated based on the Scheduling Coordinator’s availability. Students may also sign up for scheduling office hours at the Music Operations Office (BMH 101) to book a personal appointment.
• Failure to stay within the timeframe of a reservation may result in the loss of future booking privileges.
• Failure to reset the room to its previous condition at the end of a reservation may result in the loss of future booking privileges.
• Failure to return room keys to the Music Operations Office (BMH 101) at the end of a reservation may result in the loss of future booking privileges.

Policies/Reminders

• Keep all food, drink, sealed water bottles, instrument cases, etc. OFF the pianos in the practice rooms.
• Do not let strangers into the practice space! Be mindful that the practice space is designated for Thornton students and letting in guests without USC IDs could put the community and resident instruments at risk, as well as take up precious practice space. 
• When practicing, you must display your USCard with current Music Sticker on the practice room door, sticker-side out.
• Please be courteous to your peers, and do not leave your items in a room if you are not actively practicing. Be aware of the policies of the practice rooms, which are posted inside each room.
• Bikes are not permitted inside the building. Bikes should be parked in the designated bike parking area inside of the UGW parking structure and can remain there for up to 24 hours. You can obtain a parking permit for UGW by going to the Gateway Apartment Mail Room and requesting a bicycle parking permit.

Contact Information:

• Questions about music stickers or access?
  • Music Operations: (213) 740-6444, music.operations@usc.edu
• Questions about Thornton registered lesson reservations in the A-wing?
  • Music Scheduling: music.scheduling@usc.edu
• Safety related concerns while in UGW:
  • USC Department of Public Safety: (213) 740-4321 (emergency), (213) 740-6000 (non-emergency)