It is the policy of UNLV to provide a safe educational, living, and working environment for its students, employees, affiliates and visitors. UNLV recognizes the use of UAS on university property may threaten the privacy and safety of the university community, disturb the educational goals of the university, and/or interfere with the university community's reasonable use and enjoyment of the air above its property.  

Prior authorization must be sought and obtained, in writing, from UNLV RMS prior to any UAS operations on or above UNLV property, or as part of a UNLV affiliated activity including agreements with third-party vendors. 

RMS serves as the primary administrative office for institutional UAS authorization and may require coordination with UPD or other university offices depending on the nature of the proposed operation.

Any approved use of UAS on university property or off campus must comply with applicable Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and any other applicable legal requirements.

UAS operators are responsible for remaining informed of current laws, rules, and guidance. 

All operators subject to this policy must also comply with the UAS Operations Procedures and Implementation Guidelines. 

Approval by UNLV RMS does not replace or supersede any federal, state, or local legal requirements, and operators remain individually responsible for legal compliance.

Scope

This policy applies to UAS operations that:

• Occur on, above, or near property owned, leased, or controlled by UNLV or NSHE.
• Originate off campus but have flight paths that impact university property, airspace, activities or third-party persons or property.
• Are conducted as part of UNLV-affiliated research, coursework, operational, or media activities regardless of location.
• Involve UNLV resources, branding, or data collection about or for the university.
• This policy does not apply to UAS use that is fully contained within a physically enclosed area designed to prevent flight outside the enclosure (for example, an indoor or outdoor netted training facility that physically limits drone flights to an existing space), except where safety, insurance, or data-governance rules require otherwise.

Non-Compliance

Reports regarding suspected policy violations, incidents, or unauthorized UAS activity should be reported to Risk Management and Safety (RMS). 

Suspicious, unsafe, or emergency UAS activity should also be reported to the University Police Department (UPD), as appropriate. 

Violation of this policy may result in the following: 

1. Student violations will be handled in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct, and may include sanctions up to and including expulsion.
2. Faculty violations will be handled in accordance with Chapter 6 of the NSHE Code and may include disciplinary sanctions up to and including termination.
3. Staff violations will be handled in accordance with Chapter 284 of the Nevada Revised Statutes and applicable University policies and may include discipline up to and including termination.
4. All other individuals found to have violated this policy shall be considered trespassers and may be dealt with accordingly, which may include being removed from campus and/or receiving a written directive to remain off campus.

Additionally, violation of local, state, or federal laws and regulations may result in detainment, prosecution, and/or fines by applicable authorities.