Filming & Photography on Campus

If you are interested in photographing or filming a commercial or documentary project on Rutgers' accessible and architecturally diverse campuses across New Jersey, please review the following processes and guidelines.

• How to Request Permission
• Identifying Rutgers
• General Restrictions
• Property Owned by University-Affiliates
• Safety
• Insurance
• Fees

All requests will be evaluated to ensure compatibility with Rutgers’ mission and in order to minimize the disruption of university operations.

How to Request Permission

You must obtain formal permission to film on any location owned by Rutgers. Access to and use of academic and/or athletic venues will be coordinated by the Rutgers location coordinators listed below. Please note:

• A location request should be made at least 30 days prior to the filming date.
• Scouting visits must be arranged by a Rutgers location coordinator.

Identifying Rutgers

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, may not be identified without expressed written permission.

Identification is constituted by:

• the inclusion of exterior shots of buildings and statues on the Old Queens Campus, such as the Old Queens Building, Winants Hall, Kirkpatrick Chapel, and Willie the Silent;
• any shot showing the Rutgers name, logo, or identifiable symbols associated with the university, such as the Scarlet Knight, Scarlet Raider, or Scarlet Raptor;
• any building or campus identification graphics, including signs or maps.

General Restrictions

Photo or film production is not permitted near or in:

• buildings on the historic Old Queens Campus in New Brunswick;
• university libraries during midterm and final exams;
• student residence and dining halls;
• university health care facilities.

Property Owned by University-Affiliates

Agreements to record or film on property owned by university-affiliated groups, including most fraternities and sororities, must be negotiated directly with the property owners. In these instances, the Rutgers name may not be used without expressed written consent.

Safety

Each proposed project is subject to safety rules of and reviews by Rutgers Environmental Health and Safety and the Rutgers Department of Emergency Services, a Division of Public Safety. Violation of safety standards set by those offices may result in immediate withdrawal of permission to shoot on university grounds. In certain circumstances, the presence of a university fire inspector may be required during productions. Fees for these services are charged to the production company.

Insurance

The production company will procure and maintain, during the term of the location agreement, comprehensive general liability insurance with a combined single limit of at least $2 million for personal injury or property damage, naming Rutgers as an additional insured, and will provide Rutgers with a certificate of said insurance.

The university retains the right to require additional insurance based on the production size and level.

TYPICAL Fees

*Fees are subject to change and can be negotiated or waived by the responsible office.

In addition to location fees, some facilities (i.e., stadium, recreation center, student center) require a facility rental fee.

Additional fees for facility rentals, cancellation, parking, security, staffing, technical assistance and logistics coordination may apply, and will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Contact a location coordinator for more details.

Full day productions that overrun their contracted time will be charged an additional $400/hr. Half-day productions that overrun their contracted time or occur outside of the designated hours will be charged at the full-day rate.

All fees must be paid a minimum of 24 hours in advance.

All checks or money orders for these fees are to be made payable to “Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey”.

Cancellation

A fee equal to the first day’s location fee will be charged if the cancellation occurs less than 48 hours before the production is scheduled to begin.

Security

University police/security officers may be required to be on location. Public safety officials determine staffing requirements. Fees for these services are charged to the production company.

Technical Assistance

Electrical work and other technical services related to the university’s buildings and grounds and their systems, including custodial and utility work, must be performed and supervised by the university’s Facilities Maintenance Services staff. Fees for these services are charged to the production company.

Back to top