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Scripps College of Communication
Schoonover Center
1 Ohio University
Athens OH 45701-2979
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Equipment Room Policies

These policies are intended for patrons of the Scripps College ER located in RTV 115. For policies concerting working in the Scripps College ER (MDIA3910 taught by Cecil Houser). Please see ER Policies for Workers.

Defined Terms

  • Equipment Room is referring to the Scripps College ER located in RTV115, will henceforth be abbreviated to Equipment Room. Unless otherwise specified, all mentions of the ER can be assumed to be the Scripps College Equipment Room.
  • Patrons is defined as any undergraduate, graduate, Ohio University faculty, or staff member who checks out equipment from or inquires about equipment resources present in the Scripps College ER. This term is not mutually exclusive. Student Employees, when they are not on shift or when reserving or checking out gear, can be considered Patrons.
  • Student Employee(s) is defined as anyone who is enrolled in MDIA3910, taught by Cecil Houser, during the current semester. This DOES NOT refer to those who have been enrolled in MDIA3910 in previous semesters.
  • MDIA3910 will refer to MDIA3910 specifically taught by Cecil Houser during the current semester. This is not applicable in semesters where this course is not being taught. There are other sections of MDIA3910 taught on Ohio University’s campus. For information about them, reference Ohio University's course offerings.

ER Operations

Quick reference section for open hours and equipment check out rules.

  • The ER is open Monday through Thursday from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On Friday, the ER is open from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM.
  • Patrons must present a valid OU Student ID card to be set up as a user upon first check out. Student Employees may request to see a valid OU Student ID at any check out if suspicions about a patrons identity arise. Patrons who do not present a valid OU Student ID upon first check out can, and will be, respectfully declined service.
  • A check out form with a valid Scripps faculty signature must be presented at every reservation or check out.
    • The School of Visual Communications has their own Equipment room located on the 4th floor of RTV. Visual Communications students should use this equipment room unless they are taking a MDIA or JOUR class.
  • Reservations for classwork or personal projects must be submitted 48 HOURS in advance to guarantee gear. Patrons can submit reservations for classwork or personal projects 24 HOURS in advance, but they will not be given the same priority.
  • Patrons can check out equipment for 48 hours (two business days). This means if they check out on Thursday, they may keep the equipment until Monday. If they check out equipment on Friday, they may keep the equipment until Tuesday.
  • Patrons may, on the day when gear is due to be returned, request an additional 48 hour extension. This extension may be granted on a case by case basis. Students should be prepared to return gear in the event that the extension is not granted.
  • Equipment MUST be returned on the day that it is due during normal ER operating hours. Equipment MUST contain all parts and be returned in the same or better condition than it was when it was given out. Failure to turn gear in on or before the day it is due, without request for an extension, will result in a warning. Depending on the circumstances, a ban may be issued.
  • If students fail to follow ER policies, they may be issued a ban. The first ban will be 1 week. If issues continue to arise the length of ban will be dependent on circumstances. Students who consistently disregard ER policy may be issued a 15 week ban.
  • If equipment is not returned. Scripps College of Communications reserves the right to ask for reimbursement from the student. Charges will be placed on the students account according to the book value of the missing gear. In addition, OUPD has the right to file criminal theft of property charges to assist in the recovery of stolen Ohio University Property.

Student Organization’s Equipment Check Out

Details about differences in check out policies for student organizations

  • All policies that apply to checkouts for class or club activities apply also to student organizations unless otherwise described below.
  • Reservations for club activities with less than 10 items can be submitted 48 hours in advance. Reservations for club activities with more than 10 items must be submitted ONE WEEK IN ADVANCE.
  • Reservations and/or check outs for club activities must be signed by the club's faculty advisor. Priority will be given to students doing classwork over those using gear for club activities.
  • Patrons with gear being used for student organizations may, on the day when gear is due to be returned, request an additional 48 hour extension. This extension may be granted on a case by case basis. Students should be prepared to return gear in the event that the extension is not granted.
  • A singular patron must submit the proper equipment check out form. This Patron must be a student within scripps college of communication in order to check out gear for club activities. This individual is also responsible for ensuring gear is returned on time and in good condition.
  • If an individual were to check out gear for a club activity and due to that club activity gear being taken from them, damaged, and or anything that may disrupt the normal check in process, the individual should communicate with ER Managers AND the faculty advisor for the club in question. Individuals will not be punished unfairly for the actions of others, please communicate with us if you are having issues.
  • Student organizations are held to a high standard. The ability to use gear for projects outside of class is a privilege that can be revoked if a club routinely disregards equipment room policy.
  • Student Organizations as a whole are financially responsible for any damaged or unreturned gear. Individual students will not be charged for gear if it is damaged during club activities, but the faculty advisory for the club will be notified and must use the clubs funds to pay for the damage. Charges due will reflect the book value of the missing gear. In addition, OUPD has the right to file criminal theft of property charges to assist in the recovery of stolen Ohio University Property.

ER Management Team

Explanation of ER Management Team and Management Team contacting policy.

The ER is managed by a 5 person team. This includes course instructor/supervisor Cecil Houser. Along with 4 students who have been appointed as managers. There is a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes to keep the ER running. The ER Management Team does general administrative tasks before, during, and after the semester. This includes (but is not limited to) managing communications with Student Employees and Scripps College of Communication, organizing training for Student Employees, creating the shift schedule, and maintaining the ER.

Interested in being a manager? Applications to be a manager are STRICTLY open for students currently enrolled in MDIA3910 at the end of the semester. To be eligible to be a manager, one must have worked at the ER for at least one semester as a student employee. Students who have worked at the ER in the past, but are not currently enrolled in MDIA3910 who are interested in a management role should contact Cecil Houser directly to discuss their options.

In the event that Student Employees need to contact a member of the Management Team for non-emergency purposes (EX: something minor broke and you are notifying us) please put all members of the management team into a teams group chat and reach out there and/or write an email and send it to all of us.

In the event that Student Employees need to contact a member of the Management Team for Emergency Purposes. CALL A MANAGER IMMEDIATELY (EX: Student Employee is injured/sick and needs to leave/needs medical attention, Patron being aggressive/dangerous, member of OU faculty or staff is upset). It is unlikely that the manager will have your number saved. If you need immediate assistance, feel free to call multiple times in a row. After 3 attempts to call one manager, attempt to contact another. If you need medical attention or feel you are in immediate danger while in the ER due to other Student Employees or Patrons, LEAVE. We will figure it out later, your safety is our number one priority.

ER Management Contact Information

Managers

Velma Chavez: Call-Off Queen - vc257222@ohio.edu

Megan Pagett: HR - mp721921@ohio.edu

Zack Reed: Social Media - zr852722@ohio.edu

Haley Travis: Scripps Liaison - ht196323@ohio.edu

Supervisor

Cecil Houser - houserc@ohio.edu