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View equipment list
Pricing
We've made changes in IS&S regarding Media
Services equipment rental. We have, for many years, offered equipment
either free or at minimal costs. Budget constraints and several
large conferences by outside groups this summer led us to implement
three price lists.
Berea
College Academic
Equipment that is used in a classroom
for academic purposes or for convocations will be given the biggest
discounts. All but the most expensive and most difficult to maintain
equipment will be available at no charge. Thus we will continue
to fulfill our primary mission as a service to the academic mission
of the College.
Berea College Internal
Equipment that is used
by Berea College employees for Berea College functions will be
given a deep discount
so that we may provide good, inexpensive services to our own
internal "family." In some cases, equipment for Berea
College internal use will be free, but usually it will be charged
at a nominal rate.
External
Any equipment that is used for a non-college
sponsored event, or for which the source of funding is external
to the
College, will be charged the "external" price for
equipment. Note that an event that is sponsored by someone
affiliated with
the College does not mean that the event is college-sponsored.
Note, also, that funding that originates outside of the College,
whether it is through a granting agency or through outright
rental, is an opportunity for the College to charge a realistic
price
for equipment and thus recoup some of the cost. Prices on the
external price list will be adjusted to be approximately 10
to 20 percent less than going market rates, were the equipment
rented
elsewhere. Our goal is that the external pricing will be a
good deal for whoever rents the equipment, but will still provide
the College a fair return on its investment in the equipment
and its maintenance.
Reservations
We have also instituted some new policies
for reservations. We operate on a first-reserved-first-served basis.
Orders placed
well in advance are scheduled and fulfilled. Last minute requests
cannot be guaranteed and often go unfulfilled because the equipment
is already checked out. Starting immediately, equipment reservations
are required 24 hours in advance. Shorter notice may result in
denial of service due to equipment unavailability or a rush fee
(currently $20) per request. Requests for student operators will
require at least 72 hours advance notice (120 hours for after
5:00 or weekend work) because of difficulties with student availability
and scheduling.
Overdue Fees
To encourage people to return rented equipment
on time so that others may use it, we have also instituted an
overdue fee. The
fee varies by equipment type and, as with equipment rental
itself, by purpose of the rental. Overdue fees will be added to
any rental
that is not returned on the day agreed.
Lost Fee
To be complete, we have
also instituted a lost fee. If equipment is lost, the full replacement
cost will be charged to the renter.
If equipment is returned damaged, the cost of repair will also
be passed on to the renter.
We here at Berea College enjoy the availability
of a wide variety of technical equipment. These policies are designed
to provide
the maximum availability of equipment, while being sensitive
to current economic realities. Because of space constraints here
in IS&S, there is some equipment that we simply can't maintain.
In those cases, we are forced to rent the equipment that is needed
from an external source. We will continue to support and maintain,
where possible, equipment built into classrooms. Note, also,
that we are not expecting to "make money" by doing
this. The income generated by equipment rental fees doesn't begin
to touch the cost of keeping this technology available and in
working order. Our goals are simply to provide a mechanism to
help our customers understand the value of the services they
receive and to provide a useful revenue stream for the College
where the source of funding is external to the overall College
budget.
If you are curious about specific prices for specific kinds
of equipment, the Service Center will be happy to provide you
with a price list. Or when you call in the Service Center (ext.
3343), the consultant will be happy to quote prices to you as you
make your reservation.
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