General Policies

Our computer labs are private. Only students currently enrolled in classes that are held in the labs (rooms 252, 254, 256 and 258) may use the labs. Alumni, faculty, the general public and students who do not take classes held in the rooms listed above are directed to computer labs in the library.

Classes held in the labs are listed here.

If your class is not listed here and/or we do not have your name on our roster, you will be refused entry to the lab. All students using the lab must leave their masspass card at the front desk, even when attending a class held in the lab.

All students who use the lab must read the student lab use manual and and pass in a signed student use contract. This semester the donation of one ream of paper will not be required until the first week of the Spring, 2008 semester.

The below rules, policies and helpful hints ensure a safe and comfortable working environment for students, faculty, and staff.

• All students intending to use the Media Lab are required to review the Student Lab Use Manual and submit a signed copy of the Student Use Contract to their professor.
• No food/no drink allowed in labs, even if in closed containers (do not put food/drink on lab floors as well).
• Cell phones are to be turned off, no cellphone or text messaging allowed - NO EXCEPTIONS.
• No framing, cutting, gluing, taping, matting, spray adhesives are allowed in labs including hallway and on table near the lab.
• The volume on iPods and headphones: will be set for private listening, others should not be able to hear your music. Anyone who is disturbing others will be asked to turn the volume down.
• The lab runs much like a library or monastary: the most quiet atmosphere is to be maintained at all times.
• Students who have charcoal, ink or paint on their hands must wash their hands before using lab keyboards.
• While class is actively in session, students are not to cruise the web, use instant messenger or work on personal email. This is a courtesy to both faculty and fellow students and is considered rude to do while in class.
• The break table in the hallway is set up as a convenience for all - if left messy it can be taken away so please clean up after yourselves.
• Unfortunately, our office supplies are for lab employees only.
• Scanning stations are to be used while you are actively scanning - after you are finished scanning, move to another computer.
• Please do not put your feet on our brand new blue and newish red chairs.
• Do not wait until a half hour or a few minutes before deadline to print out an assignment - the lab gets busy and our printing network cannot handle numerous people printing at once.
• We are not allowed to accept cash, checks, or credit cards in payment for color prints. We only accept MassPass card payments.
• Save your work frequently - power failures do happen. Make back ups of your server files.
• Weekends/nights: if you find a door to the buiding locked, walk around and try other doors, chances are you will find an unlocked door eventually.
• When in doubt if the lab is open, call us. We also have a calendar.
• Do not leave work on computer desktop, we put files left behind in the trash. If you have server access, trash your folder off the desktop to prevent others from opening it.
• Plan your work and file back-up activities so that the lab employees can close up the labs on time.
• Rendering must not be started before 10:45 the night before a school day and attended to first thing on a weekday so that 9am classes can use computers. On weekends, rendering is allowed day and night.
• Students must supply their own camera and computer cables.
• Show lab employees the same respect and courtesy as you do all university employees and faculty.

Color Print Policy

Students pay for color prints using their masspass card. We are unable to accept cash, credit card or check as payment. Until a print has been fully paid for, no student can leave the Media Lab with their print. Until a card is accepted and a valid receipt of your payment is printed, the print will remain in our possession.

Students and staff must carefully watch prints as they come out of the printer. If mistakes or problems are noted, the print will be cancelled by staff as soon as a problem is detected. Students should be sure work is ready before printing. We are not responsible for student error, therefore, students will be charged in cases of student errors/files not ready. Students will not be charged for prints that contain errors due to staff mistakes or printer malfunction/error.

Due to the high cost, students are not to be charged for color prints made on the wide format printer until the print is complete. We are unable to issue refunds.

On occasion, a student's UMass Pass may not be recognized by our machine or your balance may appear inaccurate. In most cases, the problem is related to your physical card (scratches, bends) or your student account (funds allocated to wrong sub account, etc.). Students (not staff) must personally visit or contact the UMass Pass office at Ext. 6913 to verify card is active and has funds. Staff is not responsible for resolving these issues. Students are more than welcome to use the lab telephone to contact the MassPass folks.

Should you have other problems or concerns regarding color printing and or prices, please contact Joy Miller.

Server Policy

Accounts and folders are set up on our JUDY server for students who are currently enrolled in classes held in the labs. Accounts are set up one-two weeks after class rosters are passed in to Joy Miller. Only files directly connected with homework and class assignments are to be stored in student folders. Students are not allowed to share accounts or passwords. Mp3 music collections/video files not directly connected with school work are not to be uploaded. Students who abuse server policy will have their accounts immediately revoked and files removed.

Any file stored in a student's folder should be downloaded to student's desktop BEFORE being played. Playing/viewing files off the server place undue strain upon the server.