Media Equipment
The media equipment room is available for communication and visual arts majors/minors to borrow equipment; you may do this by filling out an online reservation form. The equipment assistants are not trained to teach you how to use the equipment; the media equipment room is not an instructional room. The equipment assistants do their best to answer questions. If you are unfamiliar with the operation of the equipment, it is encouraged to consult your professor for instruction. Please read the FAQs below to answer any questions you may have. If you have read the FAQs and your question remains unanswered, please call 219.464.5191, and/or send an email to equipment.reservation@valpo.edu.
Your safety is of the utmost importance to us. To ensure we are offering a safe environment in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we ask that all students wear a face covering and adhere to social distance guidelines (6 ft) by standing at the pre-marked spots on the floor in the hallway. When arriving at the media equipment room to pick up or return a reservation, the assistant on duty will place a rolling cart by the door to ensure a safe and contactless exchange. If you have any questions or would prefer to schedule an appointment to pick up or return your reservation, please email us at equipment.reservation@valpo.edu.
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: Closed
ALL EQUIPMENT MUST BE RETURNED BY 4:00 p.m. ON THE DATE IT IS DUE OR A LATE FEE OF $15 WILL BE ISSUED. If you need to return your equipment on a different day, please send us an email to make an appointment.
Location
Valparaiso University
Schnabel Hall 15
1809 Chapel Drive
Valparaiso, IN 46383
Equipment Reservation
FAQs
Q: Can I check out equipment if I am not a communication/digital media major or minor?
A: Unfortunately, no. We only serve students who are currently communication/digital media majors or minors.
Q: Is it my responsibility to inspect the equipment before leaving the building?
A: Yes. The equipment assistants do their best to make sure the equipment is ready for you to check out. However, it is your responsibility to double-check the equipment to make sure you have all the proper equipment.
Q: What happens if I return my equipment late?
A: A late fine of $15.00 starts to apply at 4:00 p.m. on the date the equipment is due (this includes weekends).
Q: How do I pay my late fines?
A: You can bring either cash, Beacon Bucks, or a check made out to Valparaiso University to the Equipment Room or to KCH 29. If you are not able to pay your fine in full, you are able to make incremental payments. For larger fines, please contact sarah.moyer@valpo.edu to set up a payment plan.
Q: Can I check out equipment if I have an outstanding fine?
A: No. If you have an outstanding fine, you will not be able to check out equipment and/or reserve equipment.
Q: Can someone else return the equipment for me?
A: Yes. If you need to have someone else return your equipment, they need to be aware of any missing and/or broken parts of the equipment and have their OneCard or an ID available for identification. You will be billed and notified via email of any missing and/or broken parts, late fines, and/or any other issues with the equipment.
Q: How long can I keep the equipment?
A: You may reserve equipment for up to two days. Equipment is due back no later than 4:00 p.m. on the return date. Thursday reservations are one day only. A reservation made on a Thursday must be returned back no later than 1:00 p.m. on Friday.
Q: Can I extend my equipment reservation?
A: Yes, see the extension form. Only equipment staff will approve if we have the equipment available.
Q: What happens if I am late more than once?
A: If equipment is returned late three times, you will be placed on a temporary suspension from being able to reserve equipment. If you are late after the fifteen-day suspension, your ability to reserve equipment will be revoked for the remainder of the semester. The equipment room has the ability to suspend or revoke a student’s ability to reserve equipment if, upon review, it is determined that the policy is being taken advantage of.
Q: Can I ask the equipment assistants how to use the equipment?
A: Yes, but the equipment room is not an instructional room; the equipment assistants are not trained to teach you how to use the equipment. The equipment assistants will try their best to answer questions. If you are unfamiliar with the operation of equipment, it is encouraged to consult your professor for instruction.
Q: What happens if the equipment I checked out ends up broken, lost, or stolen?
A: You will be held accountable for any lost, stolen, and/or broken equipment. You will be notified of the fee associated with the lost or damaged equipment.
Q: Do I need to supply my own batteries?
A: No, but it is recommended you have backup batteries for the audio recorders. All of the audio recorders take AA batteries. You are able to reserve rechargeable AA batteries, but they must be returned with the reservation.
Q: Do I need to supply my own SD, microSD, or Compact Flash?
A: Yes, you are responsible for supplying your own memory cards, but the equipment room will have them available to reserve as well. If you reserve one from the equipment room, it must be returned by 4:00 p.m. on the due date or a late fee will be assessed.
Q: Can I check out more than one camera at a time?
A: Unfortunately, no. Due to the limited amount of equipment, students are only allowed to check out one camera at a time.
Q: Can I check out a camera and video recorder at the same time?
A: Unfortunately, due to the limited amount of equipment and classroom restrictions, students are only allowed to check out or the other at a time.