Arisia Code of Conduct and Behavior Policies

To help ensure our members’ happiness and a successful convention, we have established a Code of Conduct and Behavior Policies for all members. We have no desire to police our membership, but we do have some requests and expectations that will help ensure a pleasurable weekend for all. We will happily refund the membership fee of anyone who finds the policies contained herein unacceptable.

General Demeanor— Common Sense Required

Reminder: The hotel is not dedicated completely to our use for the weekend. Members of the general public stay here or visit the hotel to dine and socialize. Please be considerate of non-convention individuals at all times. Arisia expects its members to respect each other and behave in a generally civilized fashion. Members should respect common sense rules for public behavior, personal interaction, common courtesy, and respect for private property. If you wouldn’t do it at home, please don't do it here. Please report to the convention committee any incidents in which a member of the convention is abusive, insulting, intimidating, bothersome, or acting in an unsafe or illegal manner.

Arisia reserves the right to revoke, without refund, the membership of anyone for just cause. Persons violating the law may be turned over to the police or the hotel security force. Sleeping in public or convention areas of the hotel is forbidden by the hotel management. This is private property. The hotel strictly forbids throwing, dropping, or flying anything from the balconies or over the atrium. Program participants and event coordinators are responsible for the comfort and safety of convention members in their areas. Disruptive behavior by children or adults is not acceptable, and any actions disturbing to attendees may result in a request to leave. All convention members are required to wear their membership badges while in convention areas. Exceptions may be made for special cases, e.g. masquerade participants while on-stage.

Children as Fans and Companions

Arisia makes every effort to protect fans of all ages and provide a healthy environment with many opportunities for fun and learning. Children are a valued part of our membership, and we welcome their appropriate participation. Children under 12 years old may attend with either their own paid convention membership, or with a free Kids-in-Tow membership (with and under the supervision of an authorized adult at all times). Arisia requires that there be at least one supervising adult accompanying every three Kid-in-Tow members. Parents of children aged 9–12 who believe their children are mature enough (and who have their own paid membership) may choose to allow their children to freely roam the convention on their own. Any child who excessively misbehaves is subject to having free-roaming privileges or their entire membership revoked. Baby-sitting is available for ages 18 months–6 years with a baby-sitting membership. Parents must provide a cell phone or pager number. Arisia will have available a limited supply of pagers (requiring a deposit). Space is limited, so purchase baby-sitting memberships in advance. Fast Track is a children's program open to fans aged 6–12 years old. Fast Track cannot provide snacks and meals; parents must arrange to feed their children. All children aged 8 and under must be with an adult, in baby-sitting, or in Fast Track con areas. Baby-sitting and Fast Track may have limited hours; please check the schedule.

Please remember that many of the costumes the attendees will be wearing, and the displays in the exhibit areas may be made of delicate and easily damaged materials that should not be handled without permission. Some program items dealing with adult topics may be closed to individuals under 18 years of age. Although children under 18 years of age may register as "adults," membership in the convention in no way supersedes local, state, or federal laws.

Costume and Masquerade Guidelines

All costumes are welcome at Arisia, whether created by the wearer or not. However, purchased and rented costumes are not eligible for awards. Awards are made to the creator of the costume, not the wearer. Costume weapons are permitted, but must be peace-bonded by Arisia Security when you arrive, unless worn solely for the masquerade as part on an on-stage costume. The use of any real weaponry as part of a costume, as well as the use of any special effects, must first be approved by the Masquerade Director. Remember, it's okay to surprise the audience, but not the staff. During the masquerade, flash photography, laser pointers, beepers or cellular telephones not set silent are forbidden. Participants in the masquerade must read and agree to the terms contained in separate costumer releases.

Parties in Guest Rooms

If you’d like to host a party (public or private), you must register with us in advance and use a room in the "Party Host" room block. Being in a Party Host room also ensures you are covered by Arisia’s corkage agreement (allowing you to serve food and non-alcoholic drinks). Parties may be "open" (all convention members welcome, and with doors open or ajar) or "closed" (private). Serving of alcohol is not allowed in open party areas. Party hosts are responsible for adhering to convention policies, hotel rules, and local, state, and federal laws.

Smoking, Alcohol, Weapons, and Illegal Acts

Arisia prohibits smoking and the consumption of alcohol in all convention areas except for alcohol purchased from the hotel and consumed directly in the area in where it was purchased. The legal drinking age in Massachusetts is 21. You may be asked to provide a valid ID if ordering alcoholic beverages. Arisia's corkage waiver does not apply to serving of alcohol. All alcoholic beverages must be purchased through the hotel as required by Massachusetts State Law and the Cambridge Licensing Board. The hotel may confiscate any privately purchased alcohol, prevent you from bringing it onto the property, or take other actions (such as placing a large corkage charge on your bill).

Under Massachusetts law, smoking is permitted only in certain guest rooms and other areas so designated (e.g. the Arisia Smoking Lounge). If you wish to smoke, verify that you are booked in a smoking room when you arrive. Laws governing illegal substances, obscenity, weapons, public behavior, and the treatment of minors must be strictly observed. Remember, there may be members of the Cambridge Police Department on patrol at the convention.

Photography, Videography, and Press Policy

There will be photographers present; if you do not wish to be photographed or recorded please state so clearly and unambiguously. Photographers, ask permission before you photograph or audio/videotape any person or group. Anyone wishing to take pictures or make audio or video recordings of any part of the convention must read and agree to the terms of a separate photographers/ videographers release. Anyone wishing to sell photographs or audio or video recordings of any part of the convention (including the masquerade) must read and agree to the terms of a separate photographers/ videographers contract. If you are acting on behalf of a publication, video production organization, or news medium of any kind (freelance or employed; commercial publication, media, or fanzine), you must go to the information desk and register for a press pass. Individuals or organizations violating these guidelines by selling, reproducing, broadcasting, or publishing materials obtained at an Arisia convention without permission may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.