Laboratory Rules

Rule: No food, drinks or tobacco products in the lab.

Rationale: Even a small amount of liquid can destroy a keyboard, mouse, monitor, or CPU. Grease from food can interfere with the function of the keyboard or mouse.

Rule: No students are allowed in the orange cabinet under any circumstance.

Rationale: In the past year, we have had two digital projectors, a camcorder and a camera disappear. In order to make sure we have the best security possible, we need to secure the equipment. Since the orange cabinet is our primary storage location, we need to restrict who has access. If you need equipment, please have the lab assistant get it for you.

Rule: Students must have an approved reservation to take out equipment from the lab.

Rationale: In order to effectively regulate equipment and to provide a learning opportunity for students, we require approved reservations to take equipment out. One of the important lessons we want to teach students is to plan ahead and to anticipate situations. Using an equipment reservation system is one way to teach this lesson. We do monitor reservation requests and reasons for rejection. You can request a report showing the reasons a student reservation was rejected.

Rule: Students must check equipment out at all times in order to use it. This includes use in the lab and for class.

Rationale: Students will be charged for any damage to any equipment. In order to do this, we need to maintain a legal chain of possession. A checkout system does this for us. A student that checks out a piece of equipment is responsible for that equipment and it is expected that it will be returned in the same condition as it was checked out. Normal wear and tear is expected and will not be charged to students.

Rule: If a class is scheduled in the lab, other students must exit the lab when the class begins. The course instructor may give permission for students to remain.

Rationale: The priority for the lab is class, students and public.

Rule: Students must not to disturb the backside of the computer.

Rationale: There is no reason that a student should need to access the back of the computer. We have USB extension cables if they are needed. Accessing the back of the computer can result in damage to the CPU or disconnecting computer components.

Rule: Students must save all personal files to a Jump Drive or CD.

Rationale: The computers have a software program called Deep Freeze which resets the hard drives on a computer to their original form when the computer is rebooted. The computers are rebooted at a minimum of at least once a day (in the evening). So, students who store material to the hard drive will lose it. This is true for all files including Avid project files.

Rule: Students must have money on their Panther Card to print in the lab.

Rationale: Printing is not free in the lab. We use the funds to purchase paper, toner, ink cartridges, etc. The University (with the exception of the library) uses Uniprint which is a centralized program that charges seven cents per page to print in black and white, as well as twenty cents per page to print in color.

Rule: Physical abuse or movement of equipment will result in removal from the lab.

Rationale: The equipment in the lab is fragile. Unnecessary handling, movement, jarring or other movement can result in damage to the equipment. Equipment is placed in the lab to provide ease of use and maximum access while balancing need for security and ensure longevity.

Rule: Lab assistants are available to help with the equipment in the lab and to answer questions about the software provided to the best of their ability. Lab assistants will not do student's homework or act as a personal tutor.

Rationale: In the past we have had some problems with the expectations that students have for lab assistants. A number of students have come to believe that the lab assistants are there to do student's homework. Please let students know that lab assistants are there to answer questions and to assist in problem-solving. They are not there to do homework. Lab assistants are not for hire.

Rule: Anyone using the facility that violates any University policy, state, local or Federal law will be removed and reported to the appropriate authorities.

Rationale: The computers in the lab are public. We encourage students to use them for class related activities as well as personal activities that are legal and fall within University policy. University policy is very liberal in what students are allowed to do. However, violations of policy or law require action.

Rule: Using the lab to harass anyone is strictly prohibited.

Rationale: You would think that we would not need to even have this rule. But, we have had problems in the past with harassment on-line. We want everyone to know that harassment will not be tolerated. We will deal with it swiftly and to the full extent of University policy.