Frequently Asked Questions

Who is allowed to check out equipment from MAS? 

Only students currently enrolled in a Media Production course taught in MAS are eligible for equipment from the Checkout Room. Students must appear on a roster submitted to the Director and Media Technician and must complete this contract before they are authorized for Checkout.  

How long can I check out equipment for? 

During the week, a student may borrow equipment for up to 48 hours. When the Checkout Room is closed, those hours do not count against the 48-hour limit, which allows for longer bookings over breaks and weekends.  

Please note: Sometimes Connect2 will allow a booking during the week of a duration that breaks 48-hour policy – if you are found to have made such a booking, not only will it be adjusted to the correct length, but you will also be penalized for breaking this policy.  

I’m not done with my project. Can I have an extension/renewal?   

Extensions will not be granted without discussion with the Media Tech prior to checkout. Once the equipment is in your possession, you are locked into the return date you previously set.  

The best practice for ensuring you will have continued access to equipment if you are planning a longer shoot is to make a booking for the same date (and time, if possible) that you are currently set to return the equipment. Creating these back-to-back bookings demonstrates forethought and prompts the system to hold the gear for you. If possible, ECOR staff will combine the bookings so that you are able to continue using the same gear without bringing it in for examination; however, you should always be prepared to return the equipment at your scheduled return time, in case there are complications with scheduling.  

If I made two bookings back-to-back for the same equipment, do I have to bring it back to the Checkout Room between bookings? 

Yes. You should always plan to bring all equipment back to the Checkout Room before the end of your booking, unless you receive written permission from the Media Tech and confirmation that your bookings have been merged. Only one instance of back-to-back bookings will be permitted per shoot, and no student will be permitted to hold equipment for a full week. 

I want to do a two-camera shoot, but Connect2 won’t let me book more than one camera. What do I do? 

If more than one camera is desired for a shoot, please consult with your professor and discuss the shoot you have planned. If your instructor determines that two cameras are necessary, provide the Media Technician with written approval. With written approval from your instructor, we will provide two cameras as inventory allows.  

If equipment breaks during my shoot, what do I do? 

Report equipment issues and/or damage via email immediately to equipment@unc.edu. 

Students will not be penalized for equipment damage as long as it is communicated to staff immediately. Students may still be responsible for replacement of damaged or lost items, but will not be issued a Violation if they communicate upfront.  

Students are ultimately responsible for the equipment they check out. Students who fail to report damage that occurs on their watch, or attempt to hide such damage, will be responsible for replacing damaged or lost equipment and may receive penalty up to a 3rd level Violation. 

I have a group project, and this is a lot of gear. Can I check it out and leave it in the Checkout Room until after class?  

We wish we could offer storage services, but the reality is that once your gear is off the shelves, it’s in our way. Once checked out, the equipment must leave ECOR. If you have a lot of gear to pick up, make sure to get to ECOR early so that all gear is checked out and taken care of before your booking expires.  

If you are checking out a large amount of gear for a group project, consider dividing your equipment needs among groupmates depending on which aspect each group member will be accountable for. Then, have each person make their own booking. If you will not be operating the camera, you should not be the one checking it out, likewise for other gear types. This breaks up how much any one person has to carry and keeps everyone’s responsibilities specific only to the gear they’ll be operating. 

I made a booking, but the ECOR Staff say they don’t have it. What happened? 

The most common mistake when making a reservation is to miss clicking the “Submit” button at the end of the process. Once completed, an email confirmation is sent with reservation details. Additionally, reminder emails are sent when a scheduled check-out or check-in time is upcoming. Make sure these emails are allowed into your Inbox instead of being sent to the Junk box. If you have a confirmation email, then you made a booking. However, if you’re more than 30 minutes late to pick up your reservation, it’s likely been cancelled as a no-show. 

What are the Checkout Room hours? And how long can I access the building?  

Checkout room hours and dates of closure can be found on the Connect2 Homepage and on the Media Lab Class Schedule page. We also list the dates for the last days of Checkout, Returns, and when the lab closes for the semester.  

Once your access to the building and equipment has been authorized, you will have access to MAS 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once the semester ends and the lab closes, you will not have access again until you are enrolled in a new course.