Pete McArthur Cypress Photo Dept. 2014
Cypress College Photography Department
Rules and Safety Policies
Safety
Safety in all areas and functions in the lab is paramount. Your instructor will provide
information on the proper and safe use of the equipment to insure its integrity and
reliability as well as the user's safety. Basic chemicals are kept in the lab for established
lab procedures.
Several of the chemicals that are used are potentially hazardous to lab users. Your
instructor will review chemical safety issues, procedures, and the use of protective
equipment. Material Safety and Data Sheets (MSDS) for all chemicals used in the lab are
kept in the stock room (TE1- 244).
You are strongly encouraged to review the MSDS information on every chemical before
using it. No chemicals can be brought into the lab without prior approval of the lab staff.
If the chemical is approved, the user must supply a copy of the MSDS. Failure to follow
this procedure results in a violation of applicable Federal and State OSHA (Occupational
Safety and Health
Administration) regulations and potentially exposes students and staff to unknown risks.
Any violation of this rule will result in serious consequences. Failure to comply with any
of the regulations in this document or instructions of the department staff may result in
loss of lab privileges or other disciplinary action.
Visitors
The Photography Department welcomes all visitors who wish to learn about the program
or who want to connect with our faculty members. For assistance, visitors are encouraged
to contact the Photo Department staff and faculty. Visitors entering any lab areas must be
approved by the department faculty or staff first. Visitors do not have lab privileges and
may not use lab equipment. Visitors are not allowed in the Darkroom under any
circumstances. All visitors should be treated respectfully.
General Rules
1. Only students who are currently enrolled in photography classes at Cypress College
are allowed in the classrooms and lab areas.
2. Students must log into the attendance computer each time they use the lab. You may
either scan your Student ID or type your student ID number into the keypad to log in. It is
the student's responsibility to log in and out for their lab hours.
Pete McArthur Cypress Photo Dept. 2014
3. Do not use any equipment if you have not received specific instruction on how to use it
from your instructor.
4. No food, beverages, or smoking is permitted in the classrooms, darkrooms, finishing
area, or gallery.
5. The Photography Department is not responsible for loss or theft of personal items.
6. Please report any electrical, plumbing or equipment malfunctions to the department
staff immediately.
7. The lab closes promptly at the posted times. Please schedule your usage accordingly.
Equipment Check Out
1. Equipment borrowed from Cypress College must be used for educational purposes
only and are not to be used for any paid or professional work.
2. No student is to check out or use equipment without first having orientation by their
instructor on the proper use of the item.
3. Only a valid Cypress College ID can be used to check out equipment, no other form of
ID will be accepted. The student ID will be held by the stockroom until the checked out
equipment has been returned.
4. Students may not consign their checked out equipment/supplies to any other person.
5. Each student will be financially responsible for all equipment they are using or have
checked out.
6. Equipment will be checked out on a first come, first served basis. WE DO NOT
ACCEPT RESERVATIONS
7. A $45.00 refundable security deposit must be paid in order to check out equipment
touse outside of the department. The deposit must be paid at the Bursar's Office located
in the Student Center and a receipt of payment must be shown to the stockroom staff.
8. Equipment may be checked out for a maximum of 48 hours at a time. However,
weekend checkout will begin starting Thursday and will be due back the following
Monday at the same time it was checked out.
9. Upon return of equipment students must wait a period of 24 hours before re-checking
out the same or similar types of equipment.
10. A $15.00 fee will be charged for each day equipment is returned late. The late fee will
be deducted from the security deposit until that money is depleted. Should the deposit
Pete McArthur Cypress Photo Dept. 2014
become depleted, no further equipment check out will be permitted until any outstanding
late fees and a new security deposit has been paid.
11. The security deposit will be refunded to the student's Cypress College Bursar account
approximately three weeks after the end of the semester less any late fees.
12. Failure to return equipment within 1 week of the due date will result in a suspension
of lab privileges until the equipment has been returned. Failure to return equipment by
the last day of the semester will result in a hold on future registration and release of
grades and transcripts.
13.The Photography Department will do its best to ensure the availability of equipment,
as needed, however late returns or damage to equipment may limit the availability of
certain items.
Darkrooms
General
1. No cell phone usage is allowed in the main black and white darkroom at any time.
Remember that it is a DARKroom. The light from your phone may damage your paper or
another student's paper.
2. Clean up all spills immediately.
Film Processing
1. Before using any graduate or container, rinse them to make sure there is no chemical
contamination.
2. After using processing supplies, rinse them off thoroughly with water and dry them
completely before turning them in.
3. Agitate tanks and trays over or in the sink only.
4. Be very careful when pouring the chemicals back into their respective containers. If
you accidentally pour the chemical into the wrong container, tell the lab tech and/or
instructor immediately.
5. Once finished, make sure to clean your room including all film trimmings.
Printing
1. Keep all of your items on your printing station, never on the printing station next to
yours or behind you.
Pete McArthur Cypress Photo Dept. 2014
2. No trays, tongs, or anything wet should be placed on or near your printing station and
enlarger.
3. Do not write on your print before putting it through the chemicals.
4. Keep the tongs in their assigned trays.
5. Use a tray at all times when viewing test strips and prints. If you any liquid to drips on
the floor, you must clean it up immediately.
Digital Lab
1. Computer workstations are available on a first come, first served basis.
2. NEVER disconnect any cables connecting computers and peripherals to power strips
or each other. This includes unplugging the printer from the desktop in order to connect it
to a laptop.
3. Students may not switch the mouse or keyboard at their station for another within the
digital lab.
4. Students may only use one computer station at a time.
5. The computers are available for working on photography assignments only. Game
playing, chat, and use of the computers for commercial purposes are prohibited.
6. Computers and other items left unattended for more than 15 minutes may be assigned
to another student.
7. Students are responsible for saving their work to their own removable media (i.e. CD,
DVD, flash/jump drives, etc.)
8. The Photography Department is not responsible for any files that are left on the
computer.
9. Software required for your assignments has been installed on the computers. Persons
using the lab are not permitted to add or remove software from the computers or in any
way compromise the hard drive.
10. Please notify the lab staff if you believe the ink needs to be replaced in printers.
Students are not to replace or attempt to replace any ink cartridges on their own.
Pete McArthur Cypress Photo Dept. 2014
Studio Use
1. Students may reserve studio time by filling out a Studio Reservation Form and
submitting it to the stockroom. The lab staff will confirm the reserved time.
2. Students may not sign up for studio time using someone else's name or for any other
students.
3. Each student may reserve a maximum of 4 hours of studio time per week for each class
they are enrolled in.
4. Students may only reserve additional studio time in excess of their allotted time with
permission from their instructor.
5. Cancellation Policy:
a. You must cancel studio reservations at least 24 hours before your scheduled time. If
you fail to do so, you will be suspended from use of the studio for 7 days from the time of
the missed reservation. Any existing reservations you may have during the suspension
period will be deleted.
b. One emergency cancellation of less than 24 hours before your scheduled studio time
will be granted per semester without penalty.
c. Do not make reservations for a studio time until you have been given the assignment
from your instructor.
6. Once a student checks in with the stockroom, they must fill out and sign a photo
equipment checkout form for any items they wish to use in the studio.
7. No student is to check out or use a piece of equipment in the studio without first
having orientation by their instructor on the proper use of the item.
8. Any person who is not currently enrolled in a photography class at Cypress College
and will be in the studio must check in at the stockroom, present the photography
department staff a valid ID showing proof of age, sign a waiver and release of liability
agreement, and a pro bono service form prior to entering the studio.
9. A parent or guardian must accompany any minors at all times.
10. A member of the Photography Department staff will periodically check in on the
student throughout their studio time.
11. Students must make sure the studio is left in a clean, orderly condition, placing props,
tables and stands in their proper locations.
Pete McArthur Cypress Photo Dept. 2014
12. Students must completely vacate the studio and turn in equipment by the end of their
scheduled time.
13. Studio doors will remain unlocked at all times and doorway areas may not be blocked
by any items.
14. Students must properly dispose of all trash from the studio.
15.Failure to follow the above rules may result in loss of studio reservation privileges for
a seven-day period following your last reservation.
Alternative Processes
1. Students must put down protective coverings on all surfaces they are working on and
must clean up all spilled chemistry immediately.
2. Students working with the alternative processes chemicals must wear eye goggles, a
respirator mask, and protective gloves during coating procedures, when air-drying
substrates, and during the print processing procedures. If you do not use these precautions
you will not be able to work with the alternative process chemistry.