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Drones & Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) University Use Policy

Policy Number:
IN-15-15-1
Responsible Office:
University Police
Approved Date:
2/20/2023
Approved By:
Vice Chancellor of Business and Finance
Ammendment Details:
Originally approved by Chancellor's Cabinet 12/15/2015

Purpose

This policy establishes minimal requirements for the safe operation of unmanned aircraft systems for University purposes and shall be a reference for operators of unmanned aircraft on University Lands for University purposes to ensure compliance with Federal Aviation Administration, state laws and University policies.

Scope

This policy applies to all employees, agents, students or volunteers operating an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) for the purpose of University business or in the advancement of a University course. Such uses include, but are not limited to; use of UAS in research or academic purposes; use of UAS by student organizations or other recognized campus groups; use of UAS by students in the fulfillment of academic obligations; or use by UWGB Athletics in conjunction with contest, practice or other event.

Any recreational or hobbyist use outside of University Business use of a UAS described within this Policy, the operator shall observe all requirements and guidelines set forth in the UWGB UAS Recreational & Hobbyist Use Guidelines.

Definitions

Compensated Activity Use: Any operation of a UAS in which direct benefit is received by the operator as a result of operation of the UAS for a set purpose. This activity may include direct payment of wages for operation, research activity that is not secondary to other academic components, providing services to a third party (through contract or grant) of operation of a UAS. Such use is considered to be work or business use and must follow requirements set forth in 14 CFR Part 107 Code of Federal Regulations - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems and this Policy. 

Recreational Use: flying for enjoyment and not for work, compensation or hire. FAA Educational Use Memorandum of May 4, 2016, addresses education use of UAS for hobby or recreation uses to be educational demonstrations; use by students in the course of aviation education; use by students in coursework in which the operation of the UAS is secondary to the academic mission; operation by a faculty member which is de minimis and secondary to the instruction. Recreational use is regulated by 49 USC 44809 Exception for Limited Recreational Operation of Unmanned Aircraft as exceptions to 14 CFR Part 107 FAA regulations for use of unmanned aircraft systems when used for recreational or hobbyist purposes and this Policy.

Remote Identification: The ability of a UAS in flight to provide identification and location information that can be received by other parties, including altitude of the UAS, it’s control station or take-off location. FAA allows operation of a UAS without Remote Identification within a defined FAA Recognized Identification Area (FRIA) upon an approved FRIA application.

Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS): A UAS is the unmanned aircraft and all of the associated support equipment, control station, data links, telemetry, communications and navigation equipment, etc., necessary to operate the unmanned aircraft. A UAS may have a variety of names including drone, unmanned aircraft vehicle, unmanned aircraft, quadcopter, quadrotor, etc. FAA regulation applies to UAS regardless of size or weight. University Business: any activity engaged in by an individual or group which falls under the University’s academic mission or outreach activities that are performed at under the direction and control of an employee or agent of the University.

University Course: specific training, course or activity approved by the University and being conducted within the facilitation or direction of University employee or agent and is considered to be Recreational use of a UAS under this policy.

University Lands: All real property owned by, leased by or otherwise subject to the control of the Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin.

Policy Detail

All operators, regardless of Recreational Use or Compensated Activity Use, shall complete the following prior to any UAS use:

  1. Any University employee or student planning to operate an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) as part of their University employment or as part of a University program on or off campus land or property must first contact the campus risk manager and receive explicit permission for use. Overseeing departments are responsible for providing or ensuring operators are trained in the use of the drone in which they will operate.
  2. Flights shall be conducted only as authorized by the FAA, implementing UAS devices that are properly registered and remote identification equipped when required, and flown in compliance with State and Municipal laws.
  3. Any operation of a UAS for compensated activity use, which does not fall under hobbyist or recreational use shall also follow Title 14 CFR Part 107 Code of Federal Regulations - Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. This operation includes all compensated activity as defined within this policy. Requirements for this use include, but are not limited to, registering aircraft, aircraft certification, pilot certification and other general FAA requirements. Operator may make application for a waiver under Part 107 under identified circumstances with the FAA.
  4. In operating a UAS for purposes of recording or transmitting visual images, a UAS shall not be used to monitor or record areas where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy in accordance with accepted social norms.
  5. Unless specific permission is granted by the Office of Public Safety, no UAS shall be operated under this policy in the interior of any building; within 100 feet of any athletic contest, practice or event; or within the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay’s Prohibited Airspace Areas (map available upon request).
  6. Operators shall be mindful of the safety of people and risk of property damage and aware of potential failure modes for their systems. All built-in safety features shall be tested before flying.
  7. Any contractor or a third party using a UAS for purposes associated with a University facility, event or project must adhere to all FAA requirements and campus polices and provide the University with proper proof of insurance which should include General Liability coverage with a $2,000,000 per occurrence limit and add the "Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, its officers, employees and agents as an additional insured."

Enforcement

Failure to comply with the above stated guidelines will result in immediate termination of the use of the UAS. Continued non-compliance will result permanent restrictions on use of UAS for University purposes and such sanctions available through the Dean of Students or Human Resources Department as applicable.

In addition, failure to follow this policy may impact the operator’s coverage under the University's General Liability protection and result in personal liability of the operator for any damage caused by operation.