AiP Technology: Frequently Asked Questions

Any student wishing to use technology facilities or check out equipment must present their active Art Institute of Pittsburgh ID card.  Driver licenses are not an acceptable form of identification.  Students without a current Art Institute ID will not be granted use of the facilities or equipment.  ID cards will be scanned at the service counter as a “sign-in” for equipment and facilities, including overnight check out.  The appropriate check out sheets must be signed and completed. 
Certain equipment and facilities require advance reservation in-person.  Shop and related tool reservations are made at the IDT Shop.  Video, audio, and photo-related reservations are made at the Cage-Cave.  Student phone or email reservations are not accepted.
Students must be enrolled in a related course and be qualified to use equipment and tools.  The Instructor and Technology staff has the right to grant or deny access to certain tools, hardware, or equipment. 

1. Some equipment and facilities require “certification” and must be pre-approved by a faculty member.  “Certification” indicates that the student understands important safety and operational procedures, has attended hands-on demonstrations of the equipment, and passed basic competencies.  Once “certified”, this information is encoded onto their Art Institute ID.  For questions regarding specific certifications, see your Instructor or the service counter.
2. Scheduled open shop, lab, and studio times are posted each quarter in the three main technology service counters (IDT Shop, Service Bureau, and Cage-Cave) and are subject to change. 
3. Technology areas are not available for use during quarterly breaks with the exception of scheduled workshops.

1. When a class is not scheduled in the shop, a lab or studio, it can become available or “open” for use by students as determined by the Technology Department.  Open labs have a definitive starting and ending time.  When the allotted time is over, students must leave the room.
2. Scheduled classes have first priority in using the facilities.  When a scheduled class begins, the open time is closed.  Students should limit the time used on equipment to the completion of necessary tasks.  Please plan projects accordingly.
3. At an instructor’s discretion and with his/her permission, other students can use open seats for open lab time in a computer classroom.  If an exam is being taken or reviewed, the instructor may close the open time.  If a student disrupts the class or other users in any way, the instructor may remove the student(s) in question.

1. Report any technical problems to an Instructor or:
1. Computer related – Help Desk on the 6th floor
2. Video and Photography - Cage-Cave on the ground floor
3. Industrial Design – IDT Shop office on the 8th floor
2. Unless authorized, no one is to tamper, change or disconnect cabling, settings, hardware, or software configurations at any time.  At no time is anyone to install or download software, drivers, or updates.  Only Tech Staff, under the direction of the Technology Department, may alter the hardware or software configurations of any facility or equipment.
3. The Art Institute Technology Staff have the responsibility for maintaining equipment, providing access, enforcing lab policy and procedures, and providing general assistance.  Please understand that Technology Staff are not instructors.  Relay any questions regarding software training to your instructor.
4. Regular system maintenance is performed at night and on weekends.  Major system maintenance is normally performed over scheduled college breaks. 
5. Loopholes in computer systems, hacking applications, or illegal password should not be used to alter computers, systems, obtain extra resources, or take resources from another person.  If a problem is found in the security of any computer or system at The Art Institute, it should be reported to the Technology Department.

1. Students are responsible for backing up their own computer work.  The Technology Department recommends having at least two different backups of your work always on-hand.  Backups, depending on size, can be stored to student owned removable media such as; CD, DVD, USB drive, or portable hard drive. Blank media is available for purchase at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh Supply Store. Student work should not be stored on the local classroom computer hard drive unless requested by the Instructor.  The Art Institute and the Technology Department cannot be responsible for lost, failed or damaged media as a result of use in labs or the Service Bureau.
2. Students are provided a virtual folder on the network to store their work.  This is a TEMPORARY space, files stored in the virtual folder are deleted by the Technology Department at mid-quarter and the end of the quarter.  There are no guarantees given for this space.  It is subject to deletion at any time.  Accounts of students will be removed when a student becomes inactive.  Student accounts are NOT backed up.  No student should ever tamper with or delete the virtual folder or files of another student.

1. Proofs and single finished pieces can be printed on laser printers found in each lab.  These printers are not to be used for making large quantities.  If you need to make copies of your work, for a fee, a photocopier is located in the Library.  Large format and high quality color prints are made in the Service Bureau on the sixth floor. 
2. Color output will incur a fee for printing.  See the Service Bureau for costs.  If a fee is required, a ticket must be included with the completed “Printing Request Form.”
3. To submit a file to be printed or rendered, an authorized “Request Form” must be completed.  Incomplete forms will not be processed.  The Technology Department is not responsible for printing or rendering errors caused by incorrect “Request Forms”, missing or bad files, or unorganized work.  Please see your instructor for assistance in reorganizing or correcting work for resubmission.
4. Network rendering is typically done on weekends at night and must be scheduled through the Service Bureau.  No one is to create their own renders on classroom lab equipment without permission from the instructor and the Technology Department.
5. Students must present their active Art Institute ID to pick up completed projects from the Service Bureau.  The Service Bureau will not release work to other students.
6. The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and the Technology Department are responsible for the maintaining the output equipment, but are not responsible for the quality of work supplied to the Service Bureau.

1. Scheduled classes take priority and have the first opportunity to use equipment, studios and lab space.  Students who do not have a scheduled class can sign out equipment one hour after a class starts.
2. Equipment sign out requires 24 hour advanced reservation at the Media Center Cage and must be approved by the Technology Department employee.  If equipment is not listed on the “Over Night Sheet” then it cannot be checked out.  Loaned equipment must be returned the next weekday by 8 a.m. unless other arrangements have been made with the Technology Department.  Weekend checkouts are available.  See the Media Center Cage for sign-out times and policies.  A late return can result in suspension from equipment sign outs. 
3. Equipment checked out from any technology area at The Art Institute is the responsibility of the student who signed the check out sheet.
4. Return equipment to the Cage-Cave in the same working condition as it was given. Students are advised to check all equipment with a tech staff member before signing it out under their care.
5. No equipment will be signed out a half hour before the Cage closes.
6. Audio and video studios and lab time may be signed out in two or four hour blocks and must be pre-approved by the appropriate Instructor.  Each student is limited to four hours per week, pending demand.  This time may be adjusted during the quarter.  Prerequisites vary.  Speak with your instructor.
7. Only The Art Institute photography students are permitted to use darkrooms.

1. All borrowed equipment must be returned by the DUE DATE and TIME listed above.  It is the customer’s responsibility to verify the due date and time at the time of checkout.  Any equipment returned late will be subject to a late fee.
2. Late fees are charged at a rate of $5 per hour with a maximum of $25 per day per item.  Charges will not exceed the cost of that item. All kits are considered one item. Accessories not contained in a standard kit are considered separate items. 
3. Students will be suspended from checkout services in IDT and the Cage-Cave until all late equipment is returned and appropriate fees are paid through accounting.
4. Lost, stolen or damaged equipment must be reported immediately to the Technology Department service counter.  Repair and/or replacement are at the discretion of the Technology Department which reserves the right to specify what constitutes equal value and fair replacement.  Financial obligations for the repair or replacement of equipment must be resolved before The Art Institute will grant your degree.  Intentional damage to equipment or systems is grounds for college suspension and termination pending outcomes of a hearing before the Student Conduct Committee.

1. Design Shop tools may be signed out overnight or on weekends after completing an “Overnight Tool Request” form that also requires Shop Supervisor approval and forfeiting a valid Art Institute ID.
2. Protective eyewear, goggles, or safety glasses, are to be worn when operating machinery or air driven tools.  Horseplay will not be tolerated.  Students must not interfere, converse with, or otherwise distract other students who are operating machinery. 
3. Supplies are handed out in accordance with The Art Institute ticket system.  Tickets can be purchased; Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in the Accounting Department on the fifth floor, Monday to Friday in the Library from 5:00 pm to close, and Saturday from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm in the Library.
4. Students using the “project storage area” to temporarily hold projects do so at their own risk.  Students in their fifth quarter and above qualify for the “project storage area” space based on availability.  Any remaining “project storage area” is available to all other students on a first come, first serve basis.  Please note: The Art Institute and the Technology Department are not responsible for the loss, theft, or defacement of student work left in public areas.  The Art Institute will investigate any suspect activity.