BOOKING GUIDELINES

Because our supply of high-demand resources is limited, OTS Student Computing Services (SCS) cancels bookings that do not adhere to our guidelines. Our goal is to make our resources available to the largest possible number of borrowers and to prevent unfair booking practices. You may make only one booking at a time for a particular type of kit. For example, you may not make three, back-to-back bookings in order to have the kit for 12 days. On the final day of a booking, you may log into SCS ORBS and renew/extend the booking for up to four additional days, if it's available. If the kit is not available, you must return it on time as agreed to avoid suspension of privileges. If you are planning a multi-camera shoot, you may request an exception to this rule by emailing scspro@towson.edu well in advance of your need.

TERMS & CONDITIONS  

By borrowing any equipment from Towson University (TU) Office of Technology Services (OTS) Student Computing Services (SCS), I agree as follows:  

1. I attest that I am a current TU student, faculty or staff member and that I possess a valid TU OneCard identification. 
2. I agree to take all reasonable steps to safeguard the equipment from damage and theft and to return all of the equipment in the same condition I received it on or before the due date and time indicated in my Booking Confirmation email. Further, I agree to adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy, all applicable TU policies and procedures, the SCS Guidelines for Equipment Care, and the Guidelines for Late Returns (below).
3. I acknowledge my understanding that if I do not return the borrowed equipment by the due date and time referenced above, SCS reserves the right to deny my future borrowing requests. 
4. I acknowledge and agree that if I do not return the borrowed equipment within seven calendar days of the due date, SCS will suspend my booking privileges indefinitely. 
5. I acknowledge and agree that if I have not returned the borrowed equipment within fourteen calendar days of the due date, I will be invoiced for the replacement cost of the equipment through the University Billing Office, and may be subject to collections. 
6. I acknowledge my understanding that if I fail to pick up equipment without canceling the booking, SCS reserves the right to deny my future borrowing requests. 
7. I acknowledge my understanding that this equipment is state funded and should only be use for academic or extra-curricular learning projects and that use of this equipment for charge-for-service private business activities will result in suspension of borrowing and referral to The Office of Student Conduct.
8. I acknowledge my understanding that TU, OTS and SCS are not responsible for file or media loss due to equipment malfunction or misuse. 
9. SCS routinely deletes all borrower content (i.e., image, audio and video files) from returned equipment. I understand and agree that it is my responsibility to transfer any files to my own computer or storage device and to delete files from the equipment before returning it.  
10. I am borrowing and using this equipment and all components at my own risk. TU will not be responsible for any damages resulting therefrom. 
    
    

GUIDELINES FOR LATE RETURNS 

Another borrower’s delay in returning equipment might prevent you from completing an important assignment or project on time. Your delay in returning equipment will have the same effect on others. Consequently, we regard your due date and time very seriously and ask that you call us immediately (410.704.5151) should an emergency prevent you from returning equipment on time. 

If you do not return borrowed equipment at or before the due date and time in your confirmation email, the equipment shall be OVERDUE. 

1. After 30 minutes, the system will send you a friendly reminder email.
2. After 12 hours, the system will send you an OVERDUE notice describing the SCS overdue procedures and restating the Terms & Conditions for borrowing equipment.  
3. Within 24 hours, SCS staff will create a TechHelp SR logging the incident; you will receive a copy of this via email. The SR will be used to log telephone and other non-automated communications.
4. Every 12 hours, the system will send you another OVERDUE notice; this will continue for 7 days or until you return the resource, whichever comes first. IF YOU HAVE ALREADY RETURNED the equipment and believe our records are incorrect, by all means, LET US KNOW (scspro@towson.edu).
5. After 2 days of OVERDUE notices, the system will ban you from making additional bookings and send you a BOOKING PRIVILEGES SUSPENDED notice (email).
6. After 7 days of OVERDUE notices, SCS will regard the resource as stolen and permanently ban you from booking SCS resources
7. After 14 overdue days, TU will invoice you for the replacement value of the equipment through the University Billing Office. Like other university fines, an unpaid balance could block registration or graduation. 

When you return equipment late, we assign you 1 demerit per day, per item. If you accumulate 6 demerits, we will suspend your borrowing privileges for 2 months. The suspension is enacted via a system ban; thus, you will not be able to book circulating equipment OR lab-based resources for the ban period. The point of suspension is to remove less responsible users from the borrowing pool to reduce their impact on more responsible users. 

ABANDONED BOOKINGS

When you make a booking, you designate a pick-up time:

• For circulating equipment, if you have not picked up the equipment within one hour of your scheduled collection time, your booking will automatically cancel.
• For non-circulating resources (e.g., studios, scanners, ect.), if you have not reported to SCS within 20 minutes of your scheduled collection time, your booking will automatically cancel.

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