Policies
Digital Aquarium Laboratory Policies
Georgia State University policies can be found in the Student Conduct Handbook. These additional policies apply solely within the Digital Aquarium multimedia laboratory. The policies of the Digital Aquarium are enforced to provide a peaceful work environment for all Georgia State students.
- Everyone entering the lab must SIGN IN and show valid Panther ID.
- Non-GSU students cannot be in the Aquarium. *Exceptions* – Georgia State Alumni, UGA or GA Tech Affiliates with valid ID, and Guided Tours. All other exceptions must receive written approval.
- Only currently enrolled Georgia State students, staff and faculty can reserve computers, equipment and the audio suite.
- Staff and Faculty can use the resources, though students have priority access
- No food or drinks are permitted in the lab. Employees should eat in break room.
- Headphones must be used at all times. Do not to disrupt fellow students. Voices must be kept quiet.
- Do not unplug any cables attached to computers, audio or video equipment. Ask for Assistance.
- There is a limit of five people in the audio suite.
- There is a limit of two reservations at any one-time for workstations or the audio suite
- Students may reserve one four-hour block of time or two, two-hour blocks of computer time each day.
- Students must use Panther Cash to pay for printing.
- Illegal content cannot be produced using lab equipment.
- All media produced in the lab is copyrighted by its producer and may not be used without consent.
- Files stored on lab computers or servers, may be reviewed by lab administrators without consent.
- No one may delete or move a student’s project without consent from an Aquarium Coordinator.
- Students may not download or install software on the workstations.
- Projects must be stored in a folder on DaySpace, AquaSpace or on a personal drive.
- Files saved to the Desktop, Documents, Movies, Photos, Music or MacintoshHD will be auto erased.
- Folders should be labeled with your Full Name or Organization/Department you are working for. Do not use abbreviations, initials, or project names.
- Folder sizes must be kept under 100GB. Attempts will be made to contact the owner of oversize folders before deletion, so long as the folder has been properly named.
- Students may not use workstations to download illegal music, movies and other copyrighted content.
- Copyrighted materials only may be used for farce, satire and/or educational purposes.
- Ripping and/or copying entire copyrighted CD’s, DVD’s or VHS tapes is illegal and prohibited.
- There is no peer-to-peer or server exchange software permitted on the workstations.
- Computer priority will be given to students working on multimedia projects. The multimedia workstations are not to be used for Word processing or typing papers. Students using multimedia workstations for Word processing, surfing the web, email, social networking, or entertainment (games, music, videos, etc.) may be asked to find another computer lab.
- The Aquarium is not responsible for student property. Lost items will go into a lost and found.
- Students must present a valid Panther ID to checkout resources: headphones, books, videos, CDs, etc.
- Resources cannot be taken out of the Aquarium, without being properly checked-out.
- Students cannot leave their items (hats, clothes, book bags, etc.) with the front desk.
- Bikes, skateboards, or other transportation must be outside, and should not be brought into the building.
- Weapons and fireworks are not permitted on campus.
- Children must be supervised by their parent(s), and must not disrupt other students.
- Cell phones should be used in the hallway, not in the laboratory.
- Precautions must be taken not to offend other students with content and/or images that may be offensive.
- Students are responsible for their own back-ups. CD/DVD burners, USB and Firewire ports are provided.
- Only Georgia State students and employees can store files on Aquarium workstations and servers.
- Using Georgia State equipment, workstations, cameras, etc. for a profitable project is against University policies and can result in expulsion and/or dismissal. AquaSpace cannot be used to store projects for which you are being paid.
Digital Aquarium Audio Suite Policies
- Students are encouraged to take the Pro Tools workshop before they use the Audio Suite, but the workshop is not required. Basic assistance is available in the lab, but support for the Pro Tools software is not always available.
- Each student can make two four-hour reservations. Once they use one of their reservations, they can make another reservation. There is no limit to the number of reservations per semester. The limit is two reservations at a time. Walk-ins do NOT count towards this limit.
- Up to a maximum of five people can be in the Audio Suite at one time.
- All students in the Audio Suite must have their Panther ID's.
- The student who made the reservation for the Audio Suite is responsible for his or her non-student guests, and the equipment in the Audio Suite. The student and his or her guest(s) must all sign the Digital Aquarium's non-student guest form. If a guest becomes disruptive, everybody will be asked to leave.
- The student who made the Audio Suite reservation must stay in the Audio Suite with his or her guests, and cannot leave them unattended.
- Non-students cannot use any of the computers or equipment in the Digital Aquarium. Anyone without proper GSU ID will not be allowed access to the facility.
- Georgia State equipment cannot be used for projects that generate a profit or income.
- The studio speaker monitors in the Audio Suite have been disabled and should not be used. Students in the Audio Suite must use headphones.
- It is okay for students to bring in their own instruments, audio devices, and MIDI equipment into the Audio Suite. However, they should ask the Help Desk for assistance with connecting their equipment.
- Students should not rewire any of the equipment in the Audio Suite. They should ask the Help Desk for assistance if something is not working properly.
- Software cannot be installed on any of the computers in the Aquarium, including the Audio Suite. Anybody caught tampering with the software on the lab's computers can be banned from the lab.
- Files can be saved to the internal hard disk drives, the AquaSpace file server, or students’ personal drives. Folder sizes should not exceed 100GB. Students are responsible for backing up their own files. CD/DVD burners, USB and FireWire ports are provided.
Digital Aquarium Rental Equipment Policies
Eligibility
- Digital Aquarium equipment cannot be used for profit, no exceptions. Please refer to the State of Georgia Regents guidelines on this matter and the Georgia State University Student Conduct Handbook. Students can be expelled for using State resources for profit. University employees can be terminated.
- Students can check out equipment for any non-profit reason. The purpose does NOT have to be academic. It can be recreational, entertainment, personal, athletic, artistic – anything that is not for profit.
- Staff and Faculty can make reservations and checkout equipment. Staff and Faculty are bound by the same policies as students, including the reservation limits, lateness, loss, damage, theft and non-profit policies. Staff and Faculty must take the same workshops required to checkout advance equipment. A Rental Equipment Manager must approve any exceptions.
- Alumni and Affiliates from other Universities CANNOT checkout equipment.
- Students, Staff and Faculty must present a valid Panther ID to checkout equipment.
Reservations
- Students have two (2) Advance Camera reservations every 28 days. Advance cameras include the Canon GL2, Sony A1U, Nikon D80, and Canon 7D.
- In addition, students also get 2 Basic Photo, 2 Basic Video, 2 Lighting Kits (workshop required), 2 Home Recording Kits, and 2 Projector reservations every 28 days.
- There is a limit of one camera per Student per checkout.
- Home Recording Kits and Projectors cannot be checked out with Advanced Cameras.
- The maximum amount of equipment one person can checkout is: 1 Camera (any type), 1 Tripod, 2 Light Kits (any type), 2 Microphones (any type), 2 Backdrops with Frames, 4 C-Stands, 4 Sand Bags, 1 Headphones and 1 Hand Cart. To get more equipment, students are encouraged to work in groups.
- Patrons can combine both of their reservations into a DOUBLE CHECKOUT. A double checkout counts as two reservations.
- Patrons can use their two light kit reservations to checkout two light kits for one check out period, or one light kit for a double checkout. Patrons cannot do a double checkout for two light kits.
- Equipment cannot be checked out for longer than a DOUBLE CHECKOUT. After a double checkout the student must bring the equipment back to the Digital Aquarium, and it must be checked back in. If the equipment is not reserved, then it can be checked back out as a WALK-IN.
- After a patron has used their two reservations they can still checkout equipment as a WALK-IN. If a patron has not used their reservations, any WALK-IN will still count towards their reservation limits. WALK-INS must be entered into the Reservation system to ensure that we do not exceed the number of available kits. It also ensures that walk-ins are counted towards reservation limits.
- The person with the RESERVATION must be the person who picks up the equipment. Reservations can be changed over the phone to another student’s name, if that student has the proper certifications.
- The Digital Aquarium checks-in equipment anytime that the laboratory is open. Anybody can return equipment for the person who checked it out. This helps get equipment returned on time, especially when people work in groups, someone becomes ill, or someone has a family emergency.
- Anyone checking out equipment must sign the proper equipment checkout forms. All checkout forms should have the proper kit numbers on them. The employee performing the checkout must initial all forms. All students must initial the DUE BACK time and date.
- The checkout forms are legally binding contracts. By signing the forms, patrons are entering into an agreement with Georgia State University to return the equipment in the same condition it was checked-out in, and by the date noted on the forms. Patrons accept responsibility for lateness, loss, damage and theft. See below for more details.
- Patrons are responsible for checking equipment for damage and missing parts before signing the checkout forms. The checkout system relies on double-checking to help avoid human error as much as possible. A Rental Equipment employee will perform the checkout, fill out the forms, and initial the paperwork. It is the responsibility of the patron to review the kits and the forms for their accuracy, BEFORE signing them.
- Reservations cancelled with less than 24 hours advance notice, still count towards the student’s reservation limits.
- Wait Lists will be created for equipment that is completely reserved. In the event there is a cancellation, the Digital Aquarium will contact people on the Wait List, in the order their names were added to the list. Equipment not picked up by 5:30P can be checked-out by people on the Wait List. If there is no Wait List, then Walk-Ins can checkout the equipment after 5:30P.
Bulbs and Batteries
- The Aquarium does not test bulbs in light kits or battery strength in camera kits before checking them out to students. Students can check the batteries and bulbs themselves before completing the checkout process. If they find a dead bulb or battery, it can be replaced.
- The Aquarium provides one working battery in each mic, and one spare battery per mic. The Aquarium provides one working bulb in each light, plus one spare bulb for each light. If students need additional batteries or bulbs they must purchase them. All items can be purchased at Showcase Inc. in Atlanta, or online at www.bhphotovideo.com.
- All batteries in the camera kits and portable light kits are rechargeable. Chargers are provided in all of the kits. Do not throw the rechargeable batteries away. Students should recycle dead AA batteries from the mic kits. Dead light bulbs can be disposed of.
Lateness
- All equipment is due back between 10:00A and 12:00P, on the DUE DATE on the form.
- Patrons receive a 60-minute grace period for late equipment. After 1:00P equipment is considered LATE. The grace period can be extended until 5:30P by calling the lab, or going to the lab in person, to let them know that the equipment will be returned later the same day.
- Returning equipment late results in the following consequences:
- IF equipment is LATE, but still returned on the DUE DATE, then the student will receive a WARNING.
- IF the equipment is brought back LATE, and the patron is already on the WARNING list, then the patron loses their checkout privileges for FOUR WEEKS
- IF the equipment is returned after the DUE DATE, the patron loses their checkout privileges for FOUR WEEKS for every day the equipment is LATE. For example, if a camera kit is returned four days late, then the student will not be able to check out equipment for sixteen weeks.
- IF equipment is not returned within two weeks, then the Student’s Account will be placed on HOLD. This prevents the Student from getting credit for courses, registering for courses, and getting copies of their transcripts.
- Students who lose their checkout privileges can still use the Digital Aquarium computer lab and attend workshops.
Damage, Theft and Loss
- It is the patron’s responsibility to check over the equipment kits and the checkout form for their completeness, BEFORE they sign the rental contract. Incomplete kits should be completed with spare parts and/or noted on the proper checkout forms. Damaged equipment will not be checked out.
- Equipment Reports should be filled out for all damaged equipment discovered during check-in, or reported by the patron.
- Patrons will not be held responsible for equipment failures due to typical wear and use of the equipment. All equipments problems should be reported on an Equipment Report and brought to the attention of the Rental Equipment Managers.
- Patrons are responsible for accidental damage caused by transporting equipment without using the provided cases. Patrons are responsible for damage resulting from misuse or improper use of the equipment. Patrons are responsible for damage done to the equipment by other people.
- Patrons are responsible for keeping the equipment dry and out of extreme temperatures. The cameras, mics, lights, mixers, and backdrops checked-out by the Digital Aquarium are NOT WATERPROOF. The electronics are susceptible to moisture, extreme cold and extreme hot.
- Patrons are responsible for lost equipment. Patrons will be given a reasonable amount of time to locate missing parts. Patrons will lose their checkout privileges until they locate or replace missing and lost parts.
- Students can replace damaged or missing parts, or pay for them via Money Order. The Rental Equipment Managers can provide you with the information to replace lost or damaged equipment.
- If equipment is stolen, students must contact Police, and supply the Digital Aquarium with a case number within 48 hours. The patron then has two weeks to get an official copy of the Police Report to the Rental Equipment Managers at the Digital Aquarium.
- Any student responsible for lost or stolen equipment, must ALSO submit an email explanation of what events lead up to the disappearance of the equipment and what steps to find the equipment have been taken. Students who lose or have equipment stolen from them will lose their checkout privileges for an amount of time to be determined by the Rental Equipment Managers, based on the circumstances of each case, and the history of the patron with the lab.
Digital Aquarium File Server Policies
In order to provide a high-speed video network and storage server for Georgia State University students, the following AquaSpace policies are being implemented at the Digital Aquarium. The goal of these policies is to provide fair and open access to the AquaSpace server for all Georgia State students.
- Only Georgia State students and employees can store files on AquaSpace.
- AquaSpace cannot be used to store projects for which you are being paid. Using Georgia State equipment, workstations, cameras, etc. for a profitable project is against University policies and can result in expulsion and/or dismissal.
- You must name your folder with your Full Name or the name of the Organization/Department you are working for. Do not use abbreviations, initials, or project names.
- Folder sizes must be kept under 100GB. Attempts will be made to contact the owner of the oversize folder before deletion, so long as the folder has been properly named (see #3 above).
