Checkout Room Rules | CoJMC

College of Journalism & Mass Communications Equipment Checkout Policy

Procedures

Equipment will only be checked out to CoJMC majors, students enrolled in CoJMC classes and CoJMC faculty and staff (borrowers). Equipment will not be checked out to other students or alumni.
Presenting an NUID is the preferred method to checkout equipment. Knowing your NUID and presenting another government-issued photo ID will also be accepted.
Equipment checkout requires the direct presence of the borrower, either in-person or via Zoom an active camera. Proxy checkouts, where one individual attempts to check out equipment on behalf of another, are not permitted.

Checkout Room Location & Hours

Checkout Room	Andersen Hall	Agency	Virtual
Location	Room 42 (Basement)	3^rd floor, Lincoln Children’s Museum	Email: cojmc.checkout.room@unl.edu Phone: 402-472-3024
Monday	9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.	2 to 3 p.m.	9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tuesday	9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.	3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.	9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday	9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.	2 to 3 p.m.	9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday	9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.	closed	9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday	9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.	2 to 3 p.m.	9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The checkout room is open by appointment only during: First week of classes in the fall and spring semesters Student Holidays and Breaks Summer To make an appointment, email cojmc.checkout.room@unl.edu.

Equipment Returns

Equipment must be returned to either of the checkout room locations during normal business hours before the return deadline unless a renewal has been granted. Failure to return equipment will result in late fees.

Duration

During the first 12 weeks of the regular semester, all checkouts will be for two business days. During the last three weeks of the semester (one week prior to dead week, dead week and finals week), all checkouts will be for one business day. Equipment is due by 5 p.m. central time on the due date.
Exceptions to the checkout duration will be rare and only granted before the checkout. Extended durations will only be granted for academic purposes above and beyond normal course work and require approval from a CoJMC faculty member and the checkout room manager. Extended durations will be denied if they will limit the availability of high-demand equipment.
CoJMC faculty and staff may check out equipment for alternative durations without prior authorization but must establish a deadline at the time of checkout. Faculty and staff are expected to return equipment promptly when no longer in active use or when the deadline is reached.

Spring 2024
2-day checkout	1-day checkout
Jan. 22 to April 26	April 29 to May 17

Renewals

All borrowers may renew their equipment if no one is on the waitlist for the equipment. If there is a waitlist, borrowers are responsible for returning their equipment by the deadline.
Renewals will only be allowed in person at the checkout room or in the virtual Zoom room. Borrowers cannot renew equipment via text or email.

Waitlist

If equipment is unavailable, borrowers may request to be placed on a waitlist.
The waitlist is first-come, first-served and all requests will be placed at the bottom of the list.
Borrowers will be notified via email when the equipment becomes available and will have 1 hour to respond via email or text message that they still need the equipment. Failure to respond will result in removal from the waitlist.
Borrowers must then arrange to pick up the equipment within 24 hours of the initial notification. Equipment not checked out within 24 hours will be put back into regular circulation and the patron will be removed from the waitlist.

Fees/Fines

A fine of $10 per business day will be charged for all overdue items.
If equipment remains unreturned 10 business days following the due date, a fine equal to the retail value of the equipment will be added to the students consolidated bill. The fine may be reduced to $100 upon return of all outstanding equipment.
Borrowers are responsible for all items checked out. Costs, as determined by the College of Journalism and Mass Communications, for repairing damaged items or replacing lost/stolen items will be charged to the borrower.
Borrowers are responsible for checking the condition of items before leaving the checkout room. Failure to notify the checkout room of damaged equipment upon checkout will result in repair costs being charged to the last borrower who checked out the equipment.
Borrowers who owe late fees or fines for repair/replacement will not be allowed to check out equipment until all fines and fees are paid.
The College of Journalism and Mass Communications reserves the right to place a hold on a student’s account for fines owed to the checkout room in any amount.

Reporting Lost/Stolen equipment

Lost/stolen equipment must be reported immediately to the checkout room manager.

Special Circulation Items

The College of Journalism and Mass Communications will maintain and regularly update a list of “special circulation equipment.” This list will include equipment that is particularly expensive, requires advanced knowledge or training for safe and effective operation, is easily damaged or broken or is subject to additional compliance requirements per UNL Policy.
Borrowing equipment designated as “special circulation equipment” may require additional authorization.
The college reserves the right to review and modify the list of “special circulation equipment” and authorization processes as necessary. All borrowers must comply with the updated policies and procedures.

SD Cards

Student must provide their own SD cards for use with CoJMC equipment. Class 10 or higher is required for video cameras (class 10 or better is recommended).

Students are strongly cautioned against leaving checkout room equipment unattended at any time or leaving equipment in their car. Equipment has been stolen from other students and it could happen to you. You are responsible for the replacement cost of the equipment if it is lost or stolen.

Special Requests and Appeals

Extended Duration

Normal checkout durations are for two business days during the first twelve weeks of the semester and one business day during the last three weeks of the semester. CoJMC students and students taking CoJMC classes can request an extended duration for legitimate academic reasons that go above and beyond normal coursework.

Requests require the approval of a CoJMC faculty member who can attest that your reason is for a legitimate academic purpose above and beyond normal coursework, and the CoJMC Checkout Room Manager. Requests may be denied for any reason and will be denied if they will limit the availability of high-demand equipment.

You must request an extended duration in advance using the button below. You are required to present your approved request to the checkout room attendant at the time of checkout.

Request an Extended Duration Now

Advanced Equipment

Advanced authorization is required to check out the equipment listed below. This equipment is easily broken and expensive. Students should not check out equipment if they do not know how to use it properly.

Approval is required by a CoJMC faculty member, who can attest personal knowledge of the ability to use this equipment safely and without damaging it and the CoJMC Checkout Room Manager.

Advanced equipment is marked on the checkout room menu.

You must request advanced equipment in advance using the button below. You are required to present your approved request to the checkout room attendant at the time of checkout.

Request Advanced Equipment Now

Drones

The CoJMC Checkout Room has drones (unmanned aerial vehicles) available for checkout. However, due to the danger posed by the use of this equipment, prior authorization and documentation are required to check out drones.

Students, faculty or staff must adhere to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems policy available at https://bf.unl.edu/policies/unmanned-aircraft-systems.

You must provide a copy of your FAA drone license, proof of insurance and your approved UNL User Application with your drone request.

Drones must be requested in advance using the QR code below and require approval from Professor of Practice Matt Waite and the CoJMC Checkout Room Manager. Requests can be denied for any reason.

You must request a drone in advance using the button below. You are required to present your approved request to the checkout room attendant at the time of checkout.

Request a Drone Now

Fine or Fee Appeal

At the College of Journalism and Mass Communications (CoJMC), we understand that circumstances may arise where borrowers believe that they have been unfairly charged fines or fees for equipment usage. This policy outlines the procedures for appealing fines or fees incurred during equipment checkout.

Eligibility for Appeals

Appeals for fines or fees can be submitted by any CoJMC borrower, including CoJMC majors, students enrolled in CoJMC classes, CoJMC faculty, staff and external patrons (other UNL faculty and staff).

Grounds for appeal:

Borrowers may appeal fines or fees charged for the following reasons:

Administrative Error: If there was a mistake in recording the due date, late fees, or any other administrative aspect of the fine or fee.
Exceptional Circumstances: Appeal may be based on unforeseen and exceptional circumstances beyond the borrower’s control that prevented the timely return of equipment. This could include medical emergencies, natural disasters, or other extraordinary events.
Disagreement with Fine Amount: If the borrower believes that the amount of the fine or fee assessed is incorrect or disproportionate to the nature of the violation.
Evidence of Compliance: Providing evidence that the borrower was in compliance with the equipment checkout policy, and therefore, the fine or fee is unwarranted.
Unique Circumstances: Any other unique circumstances or factors that the borrower believes warrant a review and potential waiver or adjustment of the fine or fee.

Borrowers may not appeal fines or fees for the following reasons:

Loss or Theft of Equipment: Borrowers are responsible for the safekeeping of equipment while it is in their care. Loss or theft of equipment is not grounds for appeal. In such cases, borrowers are expected to report the loss or theft immediately.
Damage to Equipment: Damage to the equipment during checkout is not grounds for an appeal. Borrowers are responsible for all costs associated with repair or replacement of damaged equipment.
Failure to Renew Equipment: Borrowers who fail to renew equipment within the specified timeframe or neglect to return equipment by the due date, without an approved renewal or extension, may not appeal fines or fees resulting from overdue equipment.
Lack of Awareness of Policies: Borrowers are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the CoJMC equipment checkout policies and guidelines. Lack of awareness of these policies or failure to read them thoroughly is not a valid reason for appeal.
Inconvenience or Personal Circumstances: Appeals based solely on inconvenience or personal circumstances, such as scheduling conflicts, transportation issues or personal commitments, are not accepted as valid grounds for appeal.
Late Notifications: Assertions of not receiving late notices do not constitute valid grounds for appeal. Late notices are offered as a courtesy, and it remains the responsibility of borrowers to stay informed about equipment due dates.
Disagreement with Policy: Disagreement with the CoJMC equipment checkout policy itself, rather than its specific application, is not considered a valid ground for appeal. Appeals should focus on the specific circumstances surrounding the fine or fee.
Failure to Check Equipment Condition: Borrowers are expected to inspect and report any damage or issues with equipment at the time of checkout. Failure to do so does not constitute grounds for appeal regarding subsequent damage charges.

Appeal Submission

To initiate an appeal, borrowers must complete the CoJMC Fines and Fees Appeal Form available on the CoJMC website.
The appeal must be submitted within 14 calendar days of the fine or fee assessment.
Borrowers are required to provide a detailed explanation of the grounds for their appeal and any supporting documentation.
Appeals will be accepted only if they fall within the criteria mentioned grounds of appeal.

Review Process

The CoJMC Technology and Infrastructure Committee will be responsible for reviewing all submitted appeals. The CoJMC Checkout Room Manager will not vote on fine or fee appeals.
The committee will aim to resolve appeals within 30 calendar days of submission.
The decision of the CoJMC Technology and Infrastructure Committee is final and cannot be further appealed.

Outcomes of Appeals

If the appeal is upheld, the fines or fees in question will be waived or adjusted accordingly, and any charges incurred as a result of the appeal will be reversed.
If the appeal is denied, the original fine or fee will stand, and the borrower will be required to pay the assessed amount.

Payment Obligation

Borrowers who have an ongoing appeal must pay the undisputed portion of the fine or fee to maintain borrowing privileges.
Borrowers with unpaid fines or fees may not check out equipment until their account is in good standing.

Notification

Borrowers will be notified of the Technology & Infrastructure Committee’s decision via email within 14 calendar days of the decision.

Repeated Appeals

Borrowers are permitted to submit one appeal per fine or fee assessed. Subsequent appeals for the same incident will not be considered.

Confidentiality

All information provided during the appeals process will be treated with confidentiality and used solely for the purpose of reviewing the appeal.

Evaluation of Appeals by the Committee

The evaluation of appeals for fines or fees at the College of Journalism and Mass Communications (CoJMC) is a thoughtful and thorough process. Each appeal is reviewed by the CoJMC Technology and Infrastructure Committee, which is committed to upholding fairness and consistency in the decision-making process.

Evaluation Process:

Examination of Grounds for Appeal: The committee carefully assesses the grounds presented in the appeal to determine whether they align with the accepted grounds for appeal as outlined in CoJMC policy. This examination helps ensure that the appeal falls within the policy’s parameters.
Review of Supporting Documentation: The committee reviews any supporting documentation provided by the appellant. This documentation is evaluated for relevance and its ability to support the claims made in the appeal. Supporting evidence, when applicable, plays a crucial role in the assessment.
Timeliness: The timeliness of the appeal submission is taken into consideration. Appeals must be submitted within 14 calendar days of the fine or fee assessment to be eligible for review. Timely submission is an essential aspect of the appeal process.
Clarity of Explanation: The clarity of the explanation provided in the appeal is carefully examined. A well-structured and comprehensive explanation that directly relates to the grounds for appeal contributes positively to the evaluation.
Consistency with Policy: The committee ensures that the appeal aligns with CoJMC policy, particularly with regard to accepted grounds for appeal. Any deviations or contradictions are noted and considered during the evaluation.

Outcome:

Successful Appeal: If the committee finds that the appeal meets the criteria and supports a valid claim, the fines or fees in question may be waived or adjusted as appropriate.
Partial Success: In some cases, appeals may be partially successful, leading to adjustments in the fines or fees but not a full waiver.
Denied Appeal: If the committee determines that the appeal does not meet the criteria or lacks sufficient evidence, the original fines or fees will stand, and the appellant will be responsible for payment.

Submit an Appeal

UNL Faculty and Staff

UNL faculty and staff outside the College of Journalism and Mass Communications are allowed to borrow from the CoJMC checkout room with advanced authorization. There is no cost to borrow equipment. However, the borrower is subject to the checkout room rules, including responsibility for the cost of repair or replacement of lost or damaged equipment.

To request authorization to borrow from the checkout room, click the button below.

Request Authorization