Checkout Room

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. There may be modifications to the original request. The approval modifications must be adhered to. 

If you have already checked out the equipment under a standard checkout and an extended duration is subsequently approved, you must renew the checkout before the original deadline and present the approved extended duration form. 

Request an Extended Duration Now

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. There may be modifications to the original request. The approval modifications must be adhered to. 

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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 valid grounds 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, which is 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 fines 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 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