Policies & Guidelines

School of Art + Design provides educational resources consisting of laboratories, classrooms, presentation rooms, studios and equipment. The main entrance to the chemical labs is room 335 and there are two, multi-station darkrooms and other resources inside. Room 318 is the Checkout Window and is the first place to go with questions and to get equipment or make reservations. Lab assistants are available to answer your questions, to help you with information or to direct you to other resources.

Procedures

Semester Pass

A Classroom Semester Pass is required for all students enrolled in courses using Art + Design darkrooms or lighting studios.
An optional Independent Semester Pass is available when prerequisite is satisfied. Request independent darkroom access.
Lab open hours, charges and information about your darkroom account and the Art + Design laboratories is available.

Your university student account will be charged for the Semester Pass. This gives you access to the darkrooms and other resources and equipment.
Your photography course may also have other privileges as part of the required Facilities Charge. Ask your instructor what privileges are attached to your course.
Each user will be issued a personal account. You may not use another person's account or i-Card and you can't let anyone borrow or use your account or privileges.
Semester Pass darkroom accounts and access expire on the last day the darkrooms are open for each semester. You must open a new account every semester.

Entering and Using Laboratories

Chemical darkroom Open Hours are posted near the Checkout Window. Only registered users are allowed to enter the darkrooms, laboratories and other studio spaces.
YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO BRING GUESTS OR VISITORS INTO THE LABS OR STUDIOS. Permission for visitors must be granted in advance (talk to staff in room 314).
You must always have your i-Card with you in the labs - staff or assistants may ask to see your i-Card any time you are in the laboratories.
Enter and exit only through the main door of room 335. An alarm is activated, if an Emergency Exit Door is opened.
YOU MUST STOP PRINTING ONE HOUR PRIOR TO CLOSING. This allows washing and drying cycles to finish by closing time. All users must leave the labs by closing time.
Please comply with the requests of the lab assistants and staff, especially at closing time and during emergencies (severe weather, power outage, fire alarm, etc.).

Checkout Window and Other Resources

318 Checkout Window houses a variety of equipment and resources that are available to registered users. Ask the Checkout Window assistant for more information about what is available to you.
You should read and understand the Art + Design Checkout Window-Agreement Terms for Loans.
You must abide by the Art + Design Computing - Procedures, Policies and Guidelines.
You should also read Art + Design Digital Printing - Procedures, Policies and Guidelines.
Occasionally, equipment, resources or services may need to be limited due to shortages or increased demand for use. Signs will be posted to inform you.
Know your equipment or system well before proceeding. If you are in doubt about any function or procedure, please ask for assistance before continuing.
Lab personnel will answer your technical questions to the best of his or her ability or may refer you to your instructor, a staff member or other informational resources, but
the School of Art + Design, staff and assistants cannot be held responsible for the consequences or the outcome of suggested solutions to questions or problems.
If you encounter a problem, have other concerns or special needs, please consult first with your instructor or a lab assistant for possible solutions.
You can also use the online Art + Design Forums to report problems and to submit feedback

Failure to comply with any policy may result in the loss of your laboratory privileges

Activities within the labs and use of Art + Design resources are restricted to educational pursuits and class work only.
Open hours and notices are posted on Art + Design website and a bulletin board near 318 Checkout Window. Watch for special alerts that could affect your use of equipment, rooms or resources.
At times (see posted schedules), rooms, studios and resources are reserved only for members of a specific Class/Section. Other students should not interrupt classes during reserved times.
All enlarger stations are available on a "first-come is first-served" basis, except times when rooms and workstations are reserved for classes or special events.
Only approved A+D lab signs will be posted in the labs - no other notices or artistic displays will be allowed inside the rooms - all others will be removed.
Activities in the laboratories and building are monitored for your security and safety.
There are designated "wet" and "dry" areas, talk to your instructor about the appropriate use of each area of the laboratories.
You must always have a towel when doing "wet" processes. If you forget yours, there are a limited number of towels available for purchase at the Checkout Window.
Slippery floors are hazardous. To prevent drips when printing or developing, you must use a tray when carrying wet prints or tanks from area to area.
The School of Art + Design is not responsible for damage to a user's materials or supplies for any reason.
A+D labs cannot be held responsible for lost time or the unavailability of malfunctioning equipment (laboratories, processors, studios, equipment, etc.).
FOOD AND DRINKS ARE NOT ALLOWED in the studios and laboratories at any time by anyone.
The "no food or drinks" is a health and safety issue, because chemical residue is present on equipment and throughout the darkrooms and is easily transferred to your hands.
Materials Safety Data Sheets are available. You are strongly encouraged to familiarize yourself with these important documents about chemicals used in the labs.
BE EXTREMELY CAUTIOUS WHEN USING CHEMISTRY and find out where the Eye Wash Stations are located and how to use them.
PRIOR APPROVAL MUST BE OBTAINED FROM TECHNICAL STAFF TO USE OTHER THAN PROVIDED CHEMISTRY - you will be required to specify a chemical disposal plan.
Never pour fixer (it is recycled) or certain other chemicals down the drain. Ask your instructor about the correct way to safely handle chemistry.
Ask your instructor for guidance about best practices and procedures for working safely within Art + Design's darkroom and studio environment.
THE STUDIO ENVIRONMENT CAN PRESENT ELECTRICAL AND OTHER HAZARDS (high voltage strobes, hot lights, falling objects).
Please consult with your instructor and learn the potential dangers of the studio equipment before attempting a session.
Please use the paper and mat cutters in a safe manner - the cutters have caused injuries in the past when people did not pay close attention or used them in an improper way.
DO NOT CUT ON UNPROTECTED TABLE SURFACES. You can borrow cutting boards and mat cutters at the Checkout Window.
Room 327 Web Kiosk also has several kinds of paper cutters available for your use.
Use spray adhesives and fixatives only in the Spray Booth, room 311A.

Tell the lab assistant or your instructor about any suspected equipment problems - this is the best way to keep the laboratories operating smoothly for everyone.
Users should never attempt to: move, add, borrow or repair equipment in the labs.
You can store your personal possessions in a locker: please register your locker in room 144 Art + Design Building.
Students may not use HelpDesk or Checkout Window telephones; the phones are for Art + Design business only.