Tech Suite Policies

Maintenance and Repair

DO NOT ATTEMPT TO PERFORM MAINTENANCE, FIXES, OR REPAIRS YOURSELF. Please submit a Helpdesk ticket or include the issue in your studio log.

Even if you think you know what you are doing, the Tech Suite is very complicated and a "simple fix" could break many other systems and prolong the repair process. Additionally, all fixes, maintenance, and repairs need to be thoroughly documented so we can reference it in the future if needed.

If you're really that interested in fixing things, or you have ideas for improvements, email techsuite@umich.edu about being part of the Studio Assistant team. We are always on the lookout for passionate people.

Food, drink, smoking, and alcohol

• The consumption of Food is strictly prohibited in all Tech Suite spaces

• Smoking (including vapes and e-cigarettes) and Alcohol are strictly prohibited within the Tech Suite

• Only water is allowed in the Tech Suite. Water must be in a sealed, spill proof container (i.e. you do not need to remove the lid to use) that remains closed when not in use. Water containers may not be placed on top of equipment.

Access and Certifications

• Access to the Music Technology Lab (room 378) and the Edit Rooms (rooms 378A and 378B) is restricted to PAT majors and those currently enrolled in PAT classes. An online orientation must be completed for this access to be enabled. Exceptions to this policy can be granted PAT faculty or Tech Suite administrators (see Special Requests policy)

• Access to the Davis Studio, Control Room, and Workshop require a certification for each respective space. Certifications can be acquired by completing the necessary training.

• Only students enrolled in classes or conducting research utilizing the Davis Studio, Control Room, or Workshop may receive a certification for those respective spaces unless special permission has been granted the PAT faculty or Tech Suite administrators (see Special Requests policy)

• Access to Tech Suite spaces is restricted by Mcard scanners

• Certifications must be renewed every semester.

• By receiving a Tech Suite certification, you agree to use the Tech Suite educational purposes only (see Commissioned / For-profit Work policy)

Reserving Tech Suite Spaces

Tech Suite spaces should be reserved in the SMTD Scheduling System.

• Reservation of the Music Technology Lab and Edit Rooms is restricted to PAT majors and those currently enrolled in PAT classes, unless special permission has been granted. (see Special Requests policy)

• Reservations and usage of the Davis Studio, Control Room, and the Workshop is restricted to students who are certified to use the respective spaces (see Access and Certifications policy)

• Access outside of the Fall and Winter terms requires special approval by PAT faculty and Tech Suite administrators (see Special Requests policy)

• Reservations may not exceed 4 hours without express approval from PAT faculty or Tech Suite administrators (see Special Requests policy)

• Rooms may be used without a reservation

• Reservations take priority when a room is already in use, unless reservation is made within an hour of its planned usage

• Group events such as club/organization meetings or performances, especially those including students from outside of PAT, must receive prior approval by PAT faculty or Tech Suite administrators (see Special Requests policy)

• All non-class reservations must submit a Studio Log at the conclusion of their session

Special Requests

• Special requests are required for any activity that does not fall under the categorization of a PAT class, coursework activity, or help session.

• Special requests should be submitted via the helpdesk.

• All major studio modifications must be proposed via a special request.

• Special requests will be considered by the PAT faculty and Tech Suite administrators.

• You may not continue forward with your special request until you receive explicit approval, usually from Tech Suite Administrators.

• Special projects should be proposed as a special request.

Safety

• Exit signs must not be covered or turned of for any reason.

• Guide lights must remain on when house lights are dimmed or off while an audience or large group of people are present. The lights in the "stage area" may be taped over with gaff tape but the tape must be removed after use.

• Use common sense.

Guests / Non-PAT collaborators

• A guest is someone who does not have Mcard access to a space

• Anyone with Mcard access may act as a supervisor for a guest

• A supervisor must be present at all times while a guest is in a space

• Supervisors are responsible for actions taken by their guests

Resetting the Studios / Zero Setting

Studios should be set back to their Zero Setting as defined by the manual for that specific space upon the departure of the space. The leader(s) of an activity are responsible for returning the space to its Zero Setting.

File Storage

• Do not assume your files are safe on Tech Suite computers at any time

• Accounts that have been inactive for 21 days will automatically be deleted without notice

• Computers could be wiped for maintenance purposes at any time without notice

• Back up all your work frequently to a cloud service like Google Drive or an external drive

Usage of Studio and Checkout Equipment

• Equipment should be used in a proper and intended manner that is consistent with the Owner's instructions and/or manuals

• You may not to perform any service or repairs (i.e. fix physical issues or update firmware) without explicit permission from the PAT Studio Coordinator

• You must return all devices to its default configuration/profiles, weather physical switches, software, or firmware changes

• You may not permit equipment to be operated or used by any person who is not authorized to do so

• You may not operate, maintain, or store equipment in a manner likely to cause damage to the equipment

• You may only use equipment for course work, the preparation or performance of department-sanctioned recitals, department-sanctioned events, or department-sanctioned research unless explicitly permitted by Tech Suite administrators

• University of Michigan/SMTD/PAT and its affiliates are not responsible for physical or monetary damages arising from your use of equipment

• You must adhere to policies outlined in SPG 520.01

Storing personal / borrowed equipment in the studios

• Storage of equipment in the studios is generally prohibited for both students and faculty due to limitations on storage space.

• Students, staff, and faculty should obtain explicit permission to leave equipment in a studio from the Tech Suite administrators prior to storage of equipment. (see Special Requests policy)

• Equipment must be clearly labeled.

• Unauthorized storage of equipment may will be treated as part of the PAT inventory and will be relocated or disposed of accordingly.

Commissioned / For-profit Work

The Tech Suite facilities and equipment are for educational purposes. To protect these spaces for their primary use, commercial projects by students are not permitted. On rare occasions, exceptions may be granted. (see Special Requests policy)

In order to receive a certification for a space, you must agree to only use that space for non-commercial, educational, or research purposes as described above. 

For-profit publication of works created through course work or research projects is allowed. Under these specific use cases, users maintain the copyright to all work created in the space.

You may not charge for the use of Tech Suite facilities in any way. You can't charge for your time when using the spaces. You can't charge for events without approval from the PAT department and SMTD.

Removing equipment or furniture from the Tech Suite

• Equipment may not be removed from the Tech Suite without explicit permission (usually via the equipment checkout system)

• Mission-critical equipment (such as the Davis mixing console) may not be moved out of its designated space without consulting the PAT Studio Coordinator

• Do not exchange furniture between spaces (The MTL chairs have different feet can damage the floor in the Davis studio)

• Equipment that is temporarily borrowed from another space must be returned to that space while not in use

Modifications to Studio Configuration

• Major modifications to the studio configuration such as reconfiguration the lighting system, speaker configuration, or placements technical equipment and default routing must be explicitly approved by PAT faculty and Tech Suite administrators (see Special Requests policy)

• Do not make any modifications to default routing/wiring without permission

Use of liquids, fire, atmospherics, and glitter

• The use of large amounts of liquids is strictly prohibited without explicit approval and supervision from the PAT Studio Coordinator

• The use of fire is strictly prohibited unless expressly cleared by the PAT Studio Coordinator and Fire Marshall.

• The use of atmospherics (i.e. artificial fog or haze) requires explicit express approval through the PAT Studio Coordinator and coordination with the Fire Marshall to turn off the fire alarm sensors. While a sensor is disabled, the fire system must be monitored by a designated fire watch provided by UofM Facilities and this may incur a fee.

• The use of any kind of glitter, even glitter that is attached to costumes, is strictly prohibited

• Confetti is strictly prohibited

Usage of Tech Suite by Outside Individuals, Departments, and Organizations

Organizations, departments, and individuals who are not using the Tech Suite for PAT-related instruction or course work that are interested in using the Tech Suite must submit a request to techsuite@umich.edu. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by PAT faculty and staff.

Please include as much relevant information as possible as well as a reason that you need the specific space you are requesting. If there is another similar space on campus available, please elaborate on why that space will not work for your project.

• The Tech Suite is not to be used by any outside individual, department, or organization without the explicit approval of Tech Suite administrators.

• Reservations over 4 hours or over the course of multiple days must be proposed prior to the beginning of the semester the usage is to take place.

• Reservations require a technician provided by the PAT department to be present at all times.

• Access to technical systems and equipment must be requested at the time of reservation. Technical systems and equipment may not be used without explicit permission from Tech Suite administrators.

Projects deemed to be non-pedagogical in nature are subject to the following rental rates:

• Hourly Rate: $100 per hour

• Daily Rate: $500 per day

• Performance Rate: $200 per hour

• Technician Fee (required): $30 per hour

Fees are non-refundable and must be paid upfront for the reservation

Door propping

• Doors with door props may be propped while a space is occupied and in-use

• Door props must be disengaged when a space is not occupied or in-use

• Only prop doors with built-in door props (this is for fire marshal compliance)

Hallway Clearance

The Tech Suite BC42 hallway must remain clear of tables and other obstructions at all times to ensure fire marshal compliance. Items may be left temporarily but cannot be left overnight.

During events in the Davis Studio, the hallway must be left 100% clear and both doors must remain clear of obstructions on either side to ensure smooth egress.

Reporting Problems or Policy Violations

Problems or Policy Violations should be reported via the helpdesk.

Maximum Capacity

• Davis Studio Standing: 50

• Davis Studio Sitting: 30

• Workshop: 9

• Control Room: 10

• MTL: 30

Workshop Usage by Classes

For safety reasons, students MUST be trained in the Workshop prior to using it, even during class time. Any student who is not trained in the Workshop is not permitted to enter the room or use the equipment during class time.

Standards

• All Dante devices should be running at 48kHz