Orientation and Expectations for Visitors

• There is a strict limit of 48 guests in the planetarium. Guests may not stand or sit in the walkways.
• Food and drink are NOT permitted in the planetarium. This includes water bottles! And, please, NO GUM if there’s a chance it won’t be disposed of appropriately.
• LED/light up shoes and other illuminated gear are discouraged as they are a significant distraction in the darkened dome. If they prove distracting to other audience members, we may ask for them to be secured.
• As sound carries very easily in the dome, voices should be off or kept to occasional whispers when a show is playing or the presenter is speaking. We love interacting with the audience and will often ask questions during live portions of our programs; then, visitors are encouraged to speak up!
• We allow guests to take pictures and videos during most shows, as long as flash is not used. 
• We advise visitors to walk slowly as they enter and find their seats so their eyes can adjust to lower lighting levels. No running or roughhousing is allowed in the dome. 
• If a guest needs to exit the dome during a program, they must follow directions provided by the planetarium educator to do so safely and without flooding the room with light. During certain programs, they may not be permitted reentry due to safety concerns. 

• We ask visitors to remain in the first-floor atrium area as to not disturb classes or other events happening in the building and to help ensure everyone is safe.
• During visits on weekdays when classes are in session, the noise level must be kept to a reasonable level.
• There are many steps near the atrium and long hallways that are especially tempting for little ones to run up/down, so group chaperones need to keep an eye out for that potential hazard and manage their group accordingly! The planetarium educator cannot be responsible for ‘crowd control.’
• Visitors should not enter classrooms or touch anything unless it is part of the presentation. 
• If a group is using tables/chairs provided by the university, the organizer is responsible for both set up/tear down and clean up of these within the reservation time limit.
• No alcoholic beverages are permitted unless arranged with Buffalo State’s Catering/Events Management. 
• Decorations should be restricted to tables. Tape cannot be used on our walls! And, though we love glitter, it is notoriously challenging to clean, so we ask that it not be included in decorations. And please, NO HELIUM BALLOONS.
• The atrium must be left as it was found, with tables and chairs put away and the area cleaned within the time limit of the event. 

The planetarium is an environment with very different sights (+ darkness!) and sounds that may overwhelm some visitors. 

• Our rule of thumb is that lap infants will not be allowed entry to any show not specifically designed for our youngest audiences. 
• We strongly recommend that children under 5 years of age not attend our public shows. If the child is close to 5, we rely on parents/guardians to know what their child is ready for. 
• Children below 3 are NOT permitted at public shows unless specifically indicated.

• The building and planetarium are fully wheelchair/mobility aid accessible.
• Assisted listening devices are available for use at no charge. Please plan to leave a license or credit card during your program when borrowing an assisted listening device. All assisted listening devices are sanitized between uses.
• For private programs, we regularly work with organizers to adapt music, lighting, etc. to levels best for our guests. If you have a concern, please don’t hesitate to bring it up with the presenter!
• Please email us at planetarium@buffalostate.edu if you have questions or need assistance with wheelchair seating or any other accommodations.

• Visitors to public programs may park for free in lot I-37, off Iroquois Drive, directly next to the Science and Math Complex on Buffalo State’s campus. Overflow parking can be found nearby in lot I-39.

• For private programs, organizers MUST provide a count of the number of private vehicles arriving with their group at least one week prior to the program so that the appropriate parking permits can be secured in time. 
   

   

For Public Shows:

• Tickets for public shows should be purchased through our Eventbrite page: wfplanetarium.eventbrite.com as it is not unusual for our programs to sell out in advance.
• If available, remaining tickets may also be purchased at the door via credit card or cash. Note that public shows cannot be delayed for late entries.  

For Private Programs:

• We do not charge a reservation fee for private events related to school or scouting trips. A credit card may be required to hold a reservation for other groups/events.
• In the event of a late cancellation or rescheduling – less than 5 days prior to the scheduled visit -- a charge of 15% of the total projected cost will be incurred. 
• Payment for private programs can be made in cash or via check made out to SUNY Buffalo State in advance or on the day of the group’s visit. We can now also provide payment by credit card; note this will add a nominal fee to the cost of the visit.
• For private programs, both our facility and presenter time is reserved just for you. Therefore, programs canceled within 24 hours or for which groups are a “No-Show” for will incur the full cost of the originally scheduled program.