In order to check out equipment in the Sanford Media Center, UA students must read and agree to all media center policies and sign a patron agreement form. All patrons must also abide by the University Libraries Code of Conduct and Acceptable Use Policy. Failure to abide by any of these policies may result in loss of privileges in or expulsion from the SMC.

At the beginning of each academic year, before checking out equipment for the first time, patrons are required to sign a patron agreement form that acknowledges the acceptance of the policies and procedures.

A training session is required in order to use the SMC studio or checkout any SLR resources.

Only currently enrolled University of Alabama students may use the Sanford Media Center. This includes checking out equipment, using the computer stations, and/or consultations and training.

Anyone using the Sanford Media Center must have their own valid UA Action card. No other forms of ID will be accepted.

No proxy forms may be used. The SMC does not allow equipment to be checked out on behalf of other individuals, campus groups, units or departments. The student who checks out equipment or other resources is solely responsible for any and all fees and fines associated with the object(s).

Patrons cannot use any facilities, services or equipment from the Sanford Media Center to support work for a private company or a personal business.

No food or drinks are allowed in the Sanford Media Center.

All patrons must wear appropriate clothing, including a shirt and shoes.

Patrons are encouraged to reserve instruction time and equipment. Priority will be given to patrons who have made a reservation in advance.

To make a reservation, please call (348-4651), the Sanford Media Center help desk.

Back-to-back reservations cannot be made in advance.

When making multiple reservations, your request may be limited at the staff’s discretion if your request impedes the overall availability of resources.

Computer stations can initally be reserved for up to 4 hours and may be renewed at the end of your session in two-hour increments if available. Initial reservations may not exceed 4 hours.

Equipment may circulate for up to 72 hours and may not be renewed. Once equipment is returned, it may be checked out again, if available.

After 15 minutes into a reservation, a late patron forfeits his or her reservation and receives a No Call/No Show.

After 5 minutes into a scheduled training time, a late patron forfeits his or her training slot and loses any reservations associated with the resource. Three missed/late training session will result in one No Call/No Show.

Three No Call/No Shows within a given semester will result in the patron's inability to schedule further reservations for that semester. These patrons will be allowed to continue to use the resources on a walk-in basis.

To cancel or reschedule a reservation, please contact the Sanford Media Center at least one hour prior to the appointed time.

Patrons may check out one of each type of equipment at a time, but cannot check out multiple items of the same type.

Patrons must check in/out equipment at the help desk located inside the Sanford Media Center during the center's hours of operations. No exceptions will be made.

The late fee for equipment is $20.00 per hour, per piece of equipment. Late fees will be assessed from the time the equipment is due.

Equipment will remain checked out to the patron until all accessories (wires, cables, batteries, manuals, etc.) are returned. Late fees will accrue until all items are returned. If a patron decides to return an item without all pieces in order to avoid late fees, the cost of the missing piece(s), and shipping and handling for the order will be charged to the patron’s student account.

There is no grace period.

If equipment is declared lost, the total replacement charge (ranging from $50-$2,500), any late fees, and a lost processing fee will be billed to the patron's student account.

Patrons are responsible for any damage done to equipment while checked out to their account and will be charged repair fees or a replacement fee, whichever is less.

Patrons will be charged a replacement fee if equipment is reported missing or stolen while checked out to their account.

There are fixed categories of replacement costs. Replacement charges will be between $50 and $2,500, depending on the item's established category.

Applicable fees and fines will always be charged directly to the student account of the person who checked out the equipment. Payments cannot be made in the SMC.

 Broken equipment must be processed through the University and will not be given to the patron responsible for replacement.

Patrons must begin and end their station sessions by checking in/out at the help desk with their valid UA ACTion Card.

The Sanford Media Center staff may end a session without saving patron data if a patron has exceeded their reservation time and someone else is waiting for the station.

Saving work is the sole responsibility of the patron.

Non-system files will be deleted on a regular basis.

Patrons are responsible for any damage done to computers during their session.

The Sanford Media Center and the University of Alabama Libraries accept no responsibility for loss of or damage to patron files.

Saving work is the sole responsibility of the patron.

Before leaving the Sanford Media Center, patrons should store completed project files or in-progress session files to some form of external digital media.

Media can be purchased at the Sanford Media Center.

Non-system files will be deleted on a regular basis.

You may save files locally to the UserFileDirectory, a public storage location that is unique to each computer. This space is provided on a first come, first serve basis. Files saved elsewhere will be deleted.

If a patron has a large project for an extended period of time, especially video, the Sanford Media Center recommends the patron purchase a personal external hard drive. The staff will provide support showing how to connect the external drive to the Center’s machines.

Requests for a printing appointment must be made at least 2 days in advance.

You will be required to be present for a review of your file(s) with a member of the Media Center staff to ensure our ability to print the object(s) as requested.

You will be required to leave your file storage device with the Media Center staff from the time you review the file until you pick up the printed object.

The file must be on a USB memory device or CD. If we cannot access your file from the USB device, it will be necessary for you to return at a later date/time with the file on an alternate storage device.

The Media Center staff will normally be able to print your object by close of business the next business day following review.

Please be sure that the file you submit is exactly as you want it printed. The file you submit will be printed as is. No edits will be made.

For best results, your document size should be set to your desired print size and saved as a .pdf, .png or .tiff file at 300 dpi.

Items to be printed cannot exceed 40 inches on one side.

We are not able to cut/trim, laminate or perform additional services other than printing the object for you.

The cost of printing is $5.00 per linear foot. Payment is due at the review session before printing has begun. The SMC only takes cash payments.

Revised August 15, 2012