Media Cage Policy & Procedures

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Please read the following explanation of rules and policy regarding checkout of equipment from the cage area.

  1. All students must present a valid USF ID card in order to check out equipment, keys, or otherwise utilize Cage services.
  2. All students must fill out an appropriate Media cage checkout form to be kept on file. All Media Cage paperwork must be filled out and returned to the cage by the third Thursday of each semester. The specific day will be posted on the cage bulletin board outside of FAH 289. If students do not have their forms on file by this date, they will not be allowed access to any equipment within the cage, any keys to any secured area facilities, or otherwise access any Cage services.
  3. Equipment is not to be checked out unless the student has already received instruction in the use of the equipment from a teacher or lab assistant. If student is unsure of any aspect of the equipment or its operation, they should ask their instructor or lab assistant for a review.
  4. Certain items will be available for checkout on a priority basis to students enrolled in Intermediate or Advanced level classes.
  5. Equipment will only be checked out to students in good standing with the cage.
  6. Each time equipment is checked out, it will be logged onto the student’s individual checkout form, which specifies: date of checkout and date of return and all items checked out.
  7. Each student is fully responsible for loss or damage of equipment while in his or her possession. If you break or lose it, you buy it.
  8. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure that all equipment is in proper working condition prior to leaving the cage.
  9. The student is never, under any circumstances, to loan the equipment to anyone at any time. All transfer of equipment must be handled through the cage. Only the student whose name the equipment is checked out under will be considered responsible for the equipment until it is returned to the cage and marked returned.
  10. It is the student’s responsibility to confirm the exact date and time that the equipment will be returned. See the return policy on the media cage main website for more information. Some specialized pieces of equipment, such as any equipment dealing with printing and for use in the photography labs has a one-day check out period.

PLEASE UNDERSTAND THAT THE FOLLOWING PENALTIES WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED IN THE EVENT OF AN INFRACTION OF THE ABOVE CHECKOUT POLICIES:

  1. Late return of equipment (failure to show up at the due date and time for return) will be noted on the student’s checkout form.
  2. Two late days will result in a two-week suspension of checkout privileges.
  3. A third late return of equipment will result in revocation of checkout privileges for remainder of semester.
  4. Late days add up! EACH SUBSEQUENT DAY THAT EQUIPMENT IS LATE WILL BE COUNTED AS AN INDIVIDUAL LATE! I.E., if you return something three days late, that constitutes your three late days and your privileges will be revoked for the semester. If an emergency* arises, and students cannot return their equipment on time, they need to inform the cage. However, phoning in does not necessarily absolve the student from being late! Message can be left on voice mail at 974-1566 or via e-mail at tkoneill@usf.edu.
  5. Transfer of equipment from one student to another without following correct cage checkout and return procedures will result in revocation of cage privileges for the remainder of semester.
  6. Students are responsible for the cost of replacing or repairing (at the discretion of the Photography Faculty) any equipment that is lost or damaged while checked out in their names. Failure to resolve issues regarding lost or damaged equipment will result in suspension from the cage as well as a hold being placed on future USF registration, grades, or graduation.
  7. Habitual mistreatment of, or damage to equipment while in student’s care will result in permanent revocation of cage privileges.

PLEASE TREAT THE EQUIPMENT AS IF IT WERE YOUR OWN! IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO ADEQUATELY SAFEGUARD THE EQUIPMENT, PLEASE DO NOT CHECK IT OUT!

THE ABOVE RULES APPLY TO ALL CAGE USERS!

*Emergencies in this case would be something serious, such as an accident or family emergency, something that can be verified with documentation!