Technology & Equipment
Students are charged a $300 Technology Usage Fee each semester registered as a journalism major. These funds help provide 24-hour, seven-day-per-week access to our News Bubble computer lab in Knight Hall as well as free usage of equipment from our Equipment Desk (see below). The fee also helps with hardware and software in Merrill classrooms.
Equipment Desk
1107 Knight Hall
301-405-2404
Hours:
Monday-Thursday, 7:45 a.m. to 9:45 p.m.
Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.
(Please check the sign outside the Equipment Desk for any exceptions to these hours)
The desk will NOT be open on weekends, so plan accordingly.
Equipment Quotas*
As our video cameras are increasingly in high demand, students have a limited number of days they can check them out. All DSLR and broadcast cameras have quotas. Advanced Nikon, Immediate Nikon and SD cameras are combined into one quota. Checking out any one of these four cameras will count toward the one quota.
*For more information about your individual equipment quota, please go to https://jresourcecenter.umd.edu
*Gear checked out for less than three hours will not be charged usage quota.
Equipment Due Dates
Equipment is due before 9:30 a.m. the business day after it is checked out (Friday gear is due on Monday morning).
Be sure to check your receipt to confirm you are clear on when the gear is due back so you aren’t fined for being late.
You are responsible for all of the gear listed on the receipt, so confirm it is accurate before you leave the checkout area.
Extensions
You can extend your reservation here or in person at the checkout room. You cannot do it over the phone. You must have at least one day of quota to check out or extend gear. Gear can only be extended on the day it is due and only if there is not a waitlist.
It takes time to check out a camera kit from the equipment desk, so plan accordingly.
Reservations
We have a one-day reservation system. If you need a camera on Wednesday, go to the checkout room on Tuesday and request to be put on the waitlist. You should do this even if there are cameras in the checkout. By adding your name to the waitlist, there should be a camera available at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. There is no guarantee, but there will be no online or in person renewals allowed until there are enough items to fill the waitlisted or reserved requests.
Late Fees
Late fees for a camera are charged by item. A camera kit usually consists of two batteries ($2 per day/per battery), a tripod ($5 per day), and the camera ($15 per day) for a total fine of $24 per day.
Camera Access
Certain gear is reserved for classes only, while other gear can be checked out by any journalism student. Please checkout with the checkout room to see what is available to you.
If you check out a camera when you need it, and return it immediately following your shoot, we should have a smooth semester!
Repairs, Breakage, Damage
Please be careful with the cameras and microphones. If you break or lose a piece, you will be charged for its repair or replacement. If there are any malfunctions or breakage of equipment, please report it immediately.
Delayed Openings or Closure Due to Inclement Weather
The checkout room opens and closes with the university. On days when the university is closed or when the university opens at 9:30 a.m. or later, all equipment due on that day will automatically be extended to the next day the university is open. This day will not count against your quota.