Technological advancements in digital media have made high-quality cameras more affordable to students and departments. This naturally leads to video and "film" projects by classes and departments that have not had a history of developing the support facilities and equipment for such projects. This result in more departments requesting use of communication department resources. This on-line form is to be used for all communication department facility requests. Such requests may only be made by the faculty member teaching the class or representing the department sponsoring the project. Students may not make the request. It takes only 30 minutes to complete this request form. The form goes to the RCC Operations Manager who screens these requests and submits them to the department chair. Please allow at least one week for the request to be processed. Answer all questions correctly and press the submit button at the bottom (or print and deliver via campus mail).
1. As an academic department, we do not provide A/V support for other academic departments. Instructional Media Services is charged with the responsibility of supporting academic departments in all media needs (including video productions). Not only is IMS given the budget to provide studios and equipment to support departments, but they also have billing procedures in place to charge departments for projects they elect to do. Your very first step is to talk with Mr. Ronnie Swanner, Director of IMS about supporting your project. This step also keeps IMS informed regarding capital equipment they need to support departments in the future. IMS also provides a layer of protection for the university by ensuring departments follow copyright laws.
Did you alert IMS about this project the semester the course was listed?
Have you talked to Mr. Swanner regarding your project needs within the last week?
Why is IMS unable to support your project?
2. The primary purpose of communication department studios, control rooms, and equipment is to support the pedagogical goals of the department of communication including KRTU-FM and TigerTV.
What department and class is this project for?
3. Although no academic department literally "owns" its space or facilities, each is responsible for their area. We are responsible for the RCC facilities and allocate a substantial portion of the department budget to maintain and improve them. A sense of ownership does develop after years of working to obtain capital equipment funds to purchase the tools needed to support communication classes. We expect every department to fight their own battles to obtain the equipment to support their classes.
Does your department have a long-term capital facility plan in order to acquire resources to support your media project needs in the future?
4. Nothing is free. An inexperienced media producer may think it doesn’t cost to use facilities when not being used by the department. It costs time and money for any usage. Some studio light bulbs cost hundreds of dollars each. Even the steps involved in processing the facility use requests take more time than most realize. You might be surprised how many companies and individuals contact us asking for free video production stating what a wonderful experience it will be for our students. Anyone taking on a media project needs to realize there are expenses involved.
What amount have you or your department budgeted for this project?
What is the department account number facility use expenses may be charged against?
5. Supervision is required. We have had bad experiences when groups have been given after-hours access even though their sponsoring faculty think "these are very responsible students." Everything from prop blood being spilled on the floor, to smoking in the studio, to expensive television lighting being left on overnight. Time has to be invested in training outside people in the proper procedures for closing and securing studios.
What faculty member will be present during the requested RCC facility usage?
6. Administrators need to be aware of the ever-changing resources instructors need to support their classes.
Has your department chair approved you making this request?
7. What is the description of the project?
8. Commercial distribution of projects created with university equipment is not allowed.
How will the completed project be distributed?
9. Are you aware that all media projects created with University equipment is the property of the university?
10. Every person involved with a media project should sign a legal release/hold harmless form so that future claims cannot be made against the university regarding the project.
Do you have properly executed release/hold harmless forms from all parties involved in the creation of the project?
11. There are laws in place covering the use of copyrighted materials even if used for educational purposes. The library and IMS are good places to start with copyright issues.
Does the project involve the use of any copyrighted media?
12. If this request involves the use of equipment and software, who will be training the requested users on how to properly use the equipment and software?
13. What RCC facilities are you requesting?
14. What are the specific times requested for facility use?
15. All students using RCC facilities must be currently enrolled for the semester this request is being made.
Are all the students involved in the project currently enrolled Trinity students?
16. The ID card readers we have in place are designed for allowing access over an entire semester and not for one-time project access. Security can be used for one-time access needs. If the request is for after-hours use (past 5PM and on weekends) Will you and your students use security to gain access?