Skip to content

Makerspace Policies#

The following policies apply to all users of all makerspaces, including the facilities themselves and all materials, equipment, tools, and similar contained within, at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) or accessed virtually.

Honor Code#

All persons in any makerspace and/or utilizing makerspace resources in-person or electronically is expected to abide by the RIT Honor Code P3.0 as well as the Makerspace Code of Conduct (LINK TODO).

Permitted Users#

The makerspaces are solely for use by;

  • Active Students, as defined by RIT Policy D02.0 Section III
  • Regular Faculty, Regular Staff, or Adjuncts, as defined by RIT Policy E01.0 Section II
  • Participants in makerspace-approved, RIT-sanctioned events and functions, for the purpose and scope of their event or function.

All others are not permitted to use the facilities. This includes, but is not limited to, alumni, retired staff, family members of RIT students, etc.

Makerspace staff, at their discretion for any reason that is not in violation of RIT Policy, may temporarily or permanently restrict a Permitted User from entering, accessing, or otherwise using the makerspace. See Disciplinary Action for more information.

These persons permitted to use the makerspaces are henceforth referred to as "makers".

Permitted Project Classifications#

All work completed in the makerspace is considered to be part of or towards the completion of a "project". The makerspace is permitted to be used for only certain classifications of projects, as listed below;

  • Personal: These are projects defined as being primarily for the benefit of the maker outside of any academic, commercial, or similar organization, function, event, or similar, completed primarily for personal non-monetary gain, pleasure, learning, or otherwise fulfillment. This includes, but is not limited to, exercise of a hobby or interest, creation of art or other similar expressive works for personal display or consumption, and creation of an item for personal use or to be given as a gift as considered by US Law.

  • Academic: These are projects defined as being necessary or immediately relevant for the execution and/or completion of academic work as assigned by RIT faculty for an RIT class or other academic function.

  • Research: These are projects defined as being for the execution of RIT-affiliated research work, being primarily conducted by RIT students, faculty, and/or staff in the service of RIT, and/or primarily being conducted in RIT-owned or RIT-sponsored facilities.

  • Club: These are projects defined as being for the benefit of or as part of the actions of an official club, union, association, or similar student organization recognized by the RIT Center for Campus Life or a college under RIT. This can include projects to be sold for fundraising efforts that provide funding specifically for the operation of the club, organization, or similar in a way that benefits students.

  • Entrepreneurial: These are projects defined as being for the benefit of an independent, private, for-profit business. Such projects are only permitted if the business is in part or fully owned by a maker or being developed by a maker through an RIT-sponsored or RIT-affiliated business accelerator, incubator, or similar. The project must be for the development of the business, not for immediate sale, use in the creation of an item or service for sale, or for other commercial benefit. Some examples of permitted entrepreneurial projects are developing and manufacturing prototypes, creating end-use devices for user testing, etc.

  • Internal: These are projects defined as being primarily for the benefit of RIT, as performed by a maker under the instruction or order of faculty or staff of the university acting in an official capacity. This can include, but is not limited to, fabrication of RIT assets, design of aesthetic pieces for RIT property, or repair of RIT assets.

All other project classifications are not permitted in the makerspace. This includes, but is not limited to for-profit work, manufacturing for commercial purposes, working on projects for non-RIT entities, etc.

Restricted Project Types#

Further restrictions on specific project types beyond the Permitted Project Classifications are as follows;

  • Illegal Projects: Projects can not relate to an object, action, service, or similar that is illegal in any jurisdiction relevant to the maker, the makerspace, or RIT. This includes, but is not limited to, local, state, and federal law.

  • Weapons, Firearms, and Dangerous Instruments: Such objects, as defined by RIT Policy C17.0, accessible here, cannot be worked on in the makerspace. This includes, but is not limited to, the design and/or fabrication of such objects, precursors to such objects, or accessories and/or add-ons to such objects, functional or otherwise. This restriction also extends to depictions, representations, models and/or other non-functional or limited-functionality objects intended to resemble or mimic a weapon, firearm, or dangerous instrument that may be interpreted as or mistaken for a weapon, firearm, or dangerous instrument.

  • Violation of RIT Policy: Any project that results in violation of RIT Policy, either in the process of working on the project or with the end-result of the project, is not permitted.

  • Projects Forbidden by Staff: The staff of the makerspace, at their discretion, may forbid any project from the makerspace for any reason that is not in violation of RIT Policy.

If found in the makerspace, such restricted project types may be confiscated at the discretion of makerspace staff.

Intellectual Property & Sensitive Data#

All work conducted in the makerspace falls under the RIT Intellectual Property Policy (C03.0), which can be found here.

The open and public-facing nature of the makerspace does not make it a suitable environment for sensitive information. As such, the makerspace does not permit work on projects that may involve information deemed sensitive, confidential, or secret by university policy and/or applicable laws. Projects worked on in the makerspace, including data accessed on makerspace computers and other electronic equipment, should be considered to be publicly visible and it is the duty of the maker to take appropriate actions regarding their data.

Information collected by the makerspace for the purpose of identifying makers is handled in compliance with university policies, including but not limited to C08.1 Information Security Policy..

Alcohol, Drugs, Medication, and Other Mind-Altering Substances#

No person may enter or use the makerspace if they are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, and/or other mind-altering substances that may impair their ability to safely and properly operate equipment.

Makers who are taking or have recently taken prescription medication should consult their prescribing healthcare practitioner to determine if it is safe and proper for them to be near and/or operating the equipment found in the makerspace.

Dress Standards#

No person may enter any makerspace if the clothing they are wearing does not satisfy the following criteria;

  • Closed-Toe Shoes: All persons must wear footwear that properly and fully covers the entirety of their foot/feet, including but not limited to the sole, instep, and toes.

  • Bags: Backpacks, purses, fanny packs, and other similar carrying containers must be removed and stored away from any rotating, spinning, or moving equipment.

  • Long Hair: Hair that generally falls below the shoulder should be tied up or otherwise secured in a way that prevents it from being tangled.

  • Loose Clothing: Loose and/or baggy clothing is a risk of entanglement and must be secured or removed.

Furthermore, specific areas, zones, rooms, or similar of the makerspace may have more stringent requirements. Such requirements are posted prominently on signs, placards, or electric displays at or near the entrance to such spaces, and makers must ensure their compliance with such requirements before entering.

While in any makerspace, no person may add, remove, or otherwise change the clothing they are wearing in such a way that it is in violation of the above standards.

Policies regarding dress standards are superseded by Personal Protective Equipment requirements where necessary and applicable for compliance with safety mandates.

Personal Protective Equipment#

It is the responsibility of makers to understand the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for operating or being within proximity of a tool, space, piece of equipment, or similar. Any such PPE required is provided at no expense by the makerspace to all makers. Re-usable PPE, such as glasses and helmets, are provided in spaces and areas where they are required. Such PPE is expected to be returned in a clean and functional state upon exiting that space or area.

To understand specific-area PPE requirements, see Makerspace-Specific Policies

Animals#

For the purposes of makerspace policies, "animals" is defined by 7 USC ยง 136(d)

No project in the makerspace may result, either through its execution or with the end-result, in the injury, death, or otherwise harm of an animal or animals.

Animals are not permitted in any makerspace, except for a Service Animal as defined by RIT Policy C13.0 Service or Assistance Animal Policy and approved by the RIT Disability Services Office.

Material Policies#

It is the responsibility of the maker to ensure all materials they are bringing in to the makerspace are compliant with the following requirements.

At any time, staff may request a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) from a maker, who must immediately produce it.

Prohibited Wood#

Some species of wood are prohibited from being brought into the makerspace in any capacity or form, due to safety concerns. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Pink Cedar: Mildly toxic
  • Almond Wood: Cyanide content
  • Ash (All Species): Reduced lung function
  • Ebony (All Species): General irritant.
  • Greenheart: Highly toxic, splinters go septic
  • Mahogany: Pneumonitis alveolitis
  • Milky Mangrove: Sap causes irritation to eyes, including temporary blindness. Skin contact can cause blistering.
  • Mimosa: Contact with leaves and bark can lead to pneumonia.
  • Oleander: Dust and all parts of the tree are extremely toxic.
  • Padauk: General irritant
  • Purpleheart: Nausea, generalized malaise
  • Rosewood: General irritant
  • Sassafras: Dust and all parts of the tree linked with direct toxin respiratory nausea, cancer, and death.
  • Satinwood: Dust and wood causes visual disturbances, lethargy, headaches, and giddiness.
  • Strychnine Tree: All parts of the tree considered highly toxic.
  • Sumac: Blisters, dermatitis
  • Tamboti: Toxic
  • Teak: Dust can cause respiratory distress and dermatitis.
  • Walnut (All Species): Dust is an eye, nose, throat irritant.
  • Willow: Dust can cause nausea and respiratory distress.
  • Yew: Contact with dust, wood, and sap can lead to headaches, fainting, visual disturbance, and reduced blood pressure.

Pressure-Treated Wood#

Pressure-treated wood, of any species or treated in any process, cannot be processed with power tools in a way that forms excessive fine dust. This includes, but is not limited to, sawing or sanding.

Restricted Metals#

  • Lead: Elemental lead, or any substance containing lead, such as leaded solder or leaded metal alloys, cannot be processed in the makerspace.
  • Mercury: Elemental mercury, or any substance containing mercury, cannot be processed in the makerspace. Commercially-available components that use mercury fully enclosed inside a permanently sealed vessel, such as mercury switches, are permitted if proper precautions are taken to ensure no containment breaches.
  • Alkaline Metals: Alkaline and Alkaline Earth metals (those belonging to the first and second columns of the periodic table, respectively) are not permitted in their elemental forms. This includes magnesium, lithium, sodium, etc.. Compounds of these metals that readily or easily decompose to their elemental form are not permitted.
  • Titanium: The cutting, forming, or welding of titanium is not permitted without supervision by and approval of the makerspace director.

Energetics#

  • Explosives: Explosives, including low and high explosives and are not permitted in the makerspace, including as part of a larger object or assembly.
  • Flammable Gasses : Only flammable gasses provided by the makerspace and used under supervision of trained professionals may be present in the makerspace.
  • Inert Compressed Gasses and Liquids: Inert Compressed Gasses and Liquids are only permitted if inside of vessels with a valid DOT-compliant hydrostatic testing stamp.

Radiation#

No material of notable radioactivity is permitted in the makerspace without the express permission of the makerspace director.

Staff Discretion#

Furthermore, staff can restrict any material deemed a hazard to health or safety of persons in the makerspace, or presents a danger to RIT property.

Electrical Policies#

  • No component, device, circuit, or system capable of generating, storing, or otherwise delivering a voltage in excess of 48 volts is permitted to be worked on in the makerspace without staff approval.
  • No device, circuit, or system intended to operate directly from mains AC voltage is permitted to be worked on in the makerspace without staff approval.
  • Rechargeable lithium-based batteries, including LiPo, Li-Ion, and LiFePO4 chemistries, cannot be worked on in the makerspace unless they have a factory-installed battery protection circuit to prevent over-discharge and short-circuit.
  • Batteries not integrated into a commercially-available product as they come from the manufacturer may not be charged in any makerspace.
  • Intentional radiators, as defined by 47 CFR Part 15 Subpart C, may only be operated in accordance with FCC regulations by a licensed operator, if applicable.
  • Radio jamming equipment, including devices, components, or systems of any sort intended to interrupt with the regular operation of an electrical device are not permitted. This includes the design, manufacturing, possession, or operation of such equipment.

Equipment Use#

Makers must use equipment, which includes all tools, machinery, resources, consumables, and similar in a safe and proper way, as described in the applicable equipment training and documentation.

Makers must complete all relevant mandated trainings and safety instructional content before attempting to use a piece of equipment. This includes trainings mandated by the makerspace as well as trainings mandated by RIT's office of Environmental Health and Safety.

Equipment Damage#

It is understood and expected for equipment, tools, resources, and similar to be damaged as part of their regular use. Any damage must be reported to staff immediately upon discovery.

If damage to makerspace equipment, tools, resources, or similar was found to be due to disregard for safety policies, improper use, or otherwise negligent actions, the offending maker may face Disciplinary Action.

Equipment Access Control Systems#

Attempting to interfere with, defeat, bypass, or otherwise gain access to a piece of equipment with an access control system, including physical lockouts, is not permitted.

Some equipment in some makerspaces has restricted access through the use of a card-based Access Control System. Use of such equipment with anything other than your current, valid, university-issued ID or current, valid, makerspace-issued ID is not permitted. This includes emulation, cloning, or otherwise mimicking the identifying information of your issued ID card with another device or card.

Free Consumables#

The makerspaces offer many consumable components and resources for free for makers. Abuse of these free consumables, such as over-use or taking more than reasonably needed, is not permitted. Such abuse will be determined at the sole discretion of staff. Users found to be abusing free consumables may no longer be permitted to use such consumables and/or be asked to replace what they have taken.

Project Storage#

For the convenience of makers, some makerspaces have designated areas for temporary storage of projects. This storage is meant for in-progress projects that are actively being worked on, on a regular basis. Projects stored in these areas must comply with the following requirements;

  • The entirety of the project must fit within the provided storage receptacle for that makerspace, and/or the permitted footprint of stored projects for that storage area.
  • Projects cannot be stored for more than 2 business days without being worked on. Business days for which the university or makerspace are closed do not count.
  • Projects cannot be stored for more than 7 continuous calendar days.
  • All major components of the project must be prominently labeled with the owner's RIT email address.

Projects stored in violation of any of the above requirements will immediately be considered Abandoned Property.

The ability to store your project in the makerspace is not a guarantee, and is at the discretion of the staff.

The makerspace reserves the right to terminate storage of a project at any time for any reason. In such a situation the maker will be notified of this decision by email, and the maker will have 24 hours to remove their property from the makerspace before it is considered Abandoned Property.

The makerspace makes no guarantee regarding the safety or security of projects left in the space, including objects left in designated project storage areas.

Abandoned Property#

Property is considered abandoned if it has been left in a makerspace outside of a designated Project Storage space after the person(s) who brought it into the makerspace have left, or is stored in Project Storage in violation of the Project Storage requirements.

Abandoned property may be moved to a different area of the makerspace, removed from the makerspace to a designated lost & found location on campus, or disposed of in accordance with applicable laws. Makers may he charged the reasonable cost associated with the removal and proper disposal of abandoned property.

The makerspace assumes no liability for damage, theft, or loss of abandoned property.

Project Losses and Damage#

While the makerspace makes every effort to ensure equipment, tools, resources, etc. are in good and working order, the makerspace assumes no liability for damages to property that result from use of said property in a project at the makerspace.

Access to Spaces#

All makerspaces are available to all makers when designated as open by staff. The official open hours the makerspaces can be found at make.rit.edu, but it is at the discretion of staff in that moment if a makerspace is opened or closed.

Makerspaces are closed in observance of university holidays, snow days, and other such events that result in a university closure.

Upon a makerspace closing for whatever reason, makers are expected to promptly exit the space ensuring it is neat and orderly.

If a maker ever finds a makerspace accessible without staff present, they are required to promptly notify RIT Public Safety.

Makerspace Events#

Sometimes, events occur in or near the makerspace that necessitate its closure for general use. During such events, only those with authorization to be present as part of the event may use the makerspace. The makerspace will make every effort to notify makers ahead of time of such events via the website, make.rit.edu.

After-Hours Access#

Some persons, as part of their association with an event, project, group, or otherwise, have select after-hours access to select areas of some makerspaces. This is defined as having the ability and authority to use a makerspace outside of the regularly posted hours and without staff present. Such persons are able to access the makerspace via the university's access control keycard system, henceforth referred to as "swipe".

All makerspace policies remain in effect during after-hours access.

Persons with swipe to a makerspace may allow other makers entrance into the space, and take full personal responsibility for the actions of these makers. This includes ensuring compliance with makerspace policies. Persons with after-hours access are not expected to open the makerspace for all makers, and may be selective in who they allow into the space. All other makers must leave the space before the person with swipe does. It is the responsibility of the person with swipe to ensure the space is secured properly before departing, including removing all other makers who do not have swipe or are not in the space under the purview of another maker with swipe.

After-hours access is defined and limited on a case-by-case basis. It is the responsibility of the person with swipe to understand the specifics of their after-hours access, and ensure themselves and all other makers they permit in are in compliance with the terms of this access.

Such after-hours access is issued solely at the discretion of the makerspace director, and can be revoked at any time.

Disciplinary Action#

Violating any makerspace policy may result in disciplinary action.

The following actions may be taken at the discretion of staff;

  • Revoke equipment approval
  • Temporarily banning the maker from the makerspace

The following actions may be taken at the discretion of the makerspace director;

  • Permanently banning the maker from the makerspace, or all makerspaces.
  • Requesting monetary compensation for damaged equipment, tools, resources, etc.
  • Notifying a student or faculty's home college of misconduct.
  • Referring misconduct to the relevant university authorities.

Policy Exemptions#

If judged to be for the benefit of RIT, the makerspace, or the common good, the makerspace director may temporarily or permanently exempt a person, group, and/or project from any or all makerspace policies, as permitted within compliance of university policy and any applicable law.

Further Policies#

The following policies apply in addition to, but do not supersede, the above;

Makerspace-Specific Policies#

Each makerspace has specific policies and restrictions. Please make sure to read them in full before using that specific space.

Staff Policies#

Staff of the makerspace are expected to comply with the staff policies. Staff policies can be found here.