Makerspace Policies

Statement of Purpose
Fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and creation, the Anthony ’59 and Sandra Adducci Family Makerspace is an approximately 2,000 square foot area in Aquinas Hall that consists of unique workspaces where students, faculty, staff, and external partners can come together to imagine and innovate. Additionally, they can access a range of tools (manufacturing tools, technological tools such as 3D printers, a variety of software and electronics, etc.) to create, to invent, and to learn. Students from all disciplines have the opportunity to come together in this space to work collaboratively to solve real-world problems.

What Can I Make a nd What Can I Do With the Makerspace?
The Makerspace is designed for students, faculty, and staff to make and build a variety of projects. We encourage the making of items for:

• SMUMN coursework
• SMUMN student team/group projects
• Personal projects and hobbies
• Research projects
• Entrepreneurial projects and prototypes

Use of Makerspace
The Makerspace is available to Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota (SMUMN) students, faculty, or staff. Users must possess a valid SMUMN ID card to use the space. All projects must be approved by the Makerspace Coordinator (Makerspace@smumn.edu) in writing prior to use.

Code of Conduct
Users of the Adduci Family Makerspace agree to respect and follow Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota policies, specific Makerspace policies and procedures, and state and federal laws, including copyright and intellectual property. Specifically, we ask the following:

• Foster a culture of support, cooperation, collaboration, innovation, creativity, and Inquire about what others are doing if you see something interesting happening in the Makerspace. Make time to explain your projects and activities to others in the space if they express interest.
• Respect other users along with the space, equipment, and materials. Be responsible for your workspace and leave the space in the condition as found.
• Follow all Safety Guidelines. Be safe by being aware of your surroundings and what you are doing.
• Report the following to the Makerspace Coordinator:
  • Accidents and injuries. Call 9-1-1 if needed and alert a faculty or staff member in the Makerspace.
  • Broken equipment or out-of-stock materials. Alert the Makerspace Coordinator to these issues.
  • Inappropriate behavior or conduct in the Makerspace.
  • Other projects in the Makerspace you think are awesome and worthy of praise.
  • Engage in required training for the use of specific machines, tools, or materials. If you have a doubt, ask questions.
  • Keep all food and drink outside of the Makerspace. Food and liquids do not mix well with electronics and maker materials.
  • Make items for positive use and do not create any tools of vandalism, weapons, weapon-like items, or drug-related paraphernalia. Unsafe, harmful, dangerous objects that pose an immediate threat to the well-being of others are prohibited.
  • Display of made artifacts is encouraged. The Makerspace Coordinator will manage the display of art and artifacts in the Makerspace rooms. The Makerspace Coordinator reserves the right to remove any artifacts that are deemed offensive, harmful, and or violate U.S. copyright laws.
  • Enjoy the Makerspace. It is designed to encourage innovation and creativity.
  • Ask The space is designed and intended in the spirit of collaboration and exploration.

  Hours of Operation and Reservations
  The Makerspace is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. unless previously reserved. After-hours use must be supervised by a faculty or staff member. Reservations can be made by contacting the Makerspace Coordinator (Makerspace@smumn.edu).
  Faculty delivering course content using the Makerspace must reserve the space through the SMUMN Astra reservation system or by emailing Makerspace@smumn.edu. Courses using the Makerspace will take priority over other reservation requests and may limit general use hours. Faculty will be asked to complete a form to provide details about their intended use of the space. This form will include asking the organizer to describe their purpose, provided materials, and specific use of power tools or equipment in the Makerspace. Following the completion of this form, the organizer will be provided the appropriate links to the code of conduct, user agreements, and any additional safety requirements.

  For specific use of a fabrication lab including the 3D printers, reservations must be made 72 hours in advance by contacting the Makerspace Coordinator (Makerspace@smumn.edu). No drop-in use is allowed.

  Makerspace Projects
  Projects created within the Makerspace must respect the intellectual property of others and also follow U.S. copyright law. SMUMN reserves the right to refuse any materials or projects. Users of the Makerspace may bring their own materials and tools only if they are approved by the Makerspace Coordinator.

  By using the equipment in the Makerspace, the user understands and agrees that there are risks involved using the equipment and hereby accepts any and all risks, including but not limited to property damage, personal injury, disability, and death. To the fullest extent permitted by law, the user agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota from and against any and all claims arising out of or resulting from the use of the Makerspace.
  All projects completed in the Makerspace require the Makerspace Coordinator’s approval. Please contact Makerspace@smumn.edu with any questions or concerns.

  3D Printing Policy
  The Makerspace’s 3D printers may be used only for lawful purposes. Users will not be permitted to use the Makerspace’s 3D printers to create material that is prohibited by local, state, or federal law. Unsafe, harmful, dangerous objects that pose an immediate threat to the well-being of others are prohibited. Obscene items or those otherwise inappropriate for the campus environment, including weapons and drug paraphernalia, are prohibited. Violation of another’s intellectual property rights is also prohibited. For example, the printer may not be used to reproduce material that is subject to copyright, patent, or trademark protection.

  SMUMN reserves the right to refuse any 3D print request. This decision is made by the Makerspace Coordinator in accordance with university policies.

  Only the Makerspace’s filament is allowed to be used in the 3D printer unless previously approved by the Makerspace Coordinator. Careful and judicious choice of project scale is requested to reduce the time of print job and waste of filament.

  3D prints that are not picked up within 7 days will become the property of SMUMN. Items must be picked up by the individual who printed them.

  An approved member of the Makerspace community must be present to supervise the use of the 3D printer and manage the printing queue. The Makerspace Coordinator will have final say when determining the order of print jobs when there is a queue.

  Printed objects may be photographed and displayed on the Makerspace’s website. Special consideration for patent or copyright reasons will be considered by the Makerspace Coordinator.
  Safety and Behavior

  1. If someone is seriously injured in the Makerspace beyond what is manageable by simple first aid: [Consult with Campus Safety, be consistent with EmergencyResponse Plan]
     1. a. Call 9-1-1 from any phone;
     2. b. Alert faculty or staff in the Makerspace;
     3. c. Alert Campus Safety at 507-457-1703.
     4. d. Provide assistance to the injured party until the emergency response team arrives;
     5. e. Alert the Makerspace coordinator immediately following a health/safety incident so that an incident report can be filed.
     6. f. An Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is available by exiting the double doors of the Makerspace, turn immediately right, when you reach the tile flooring the AED is on your right, mounted on the wall.
     1. Incident Reports
        1. a. All health and or safety incidents that occur within the Makerspace will be reported to the appropriate campus offices.
        1. a. If you see a user doing something unsafe, alert and assist them;
        2. b. If you see a potential safety hazard, alert Makerspace Coordinator and users who are in the immediate vicinity.
        1. a. All material waste must be disposed of in a fashion that is consistent with the SMUMN Chemical Hygiene Plan;
        2. b. Waste containers are to be used to collect waste that cannot go down the drain or in a common garbage or recycling bin;
        3. d. Waste containers must be labeled with the contents, fill date, and user/generator;
        4. e. Waste that is sharp or that represents a puncture hazard (such as glass, needles, nails, etc) must be disposed of in a designated cardboard box;
        5. f. Waste container removal must be performed by the Makerspace
        1. a. Users must wear appropriate eye, ear, and face/respiratory protection at all times within the Makerspace;
        2. b. Eyewear must be impact resistant with side protection (ANSI Z87.1).
        1. a. No loose-fitting clothing or jewelry shall be worn when operating machinery or powered hand tools;
        2. b. Open-toed footwear is prohibited in the Makerspace at all times;
        3. c. Clothing should be workplace appropriate;
        4. d. Long hair must be tied up and kept out of the way of machinery. Beards must also be kept secure;
        5. e. Pants are required when using power tools.
        1. a. Users are to remain “present”: Only operate machinery when focused.
           1. i. Use of the Makerspace under the influence of debilitating medications or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol is strictly
           2. ii. Users must avoid all distractions, in particular electronic devices including computers, tablets, and phones, while operating
           1. i. Users should seek help/guidance from a trained Makerspace staff user before they continue.

           Use of Tools and Machinery

           1. Users should only work with the tool appropriate for the job they are doing.
           2. Users of tools and machinery are prohibited from working alone.
           3. Only trained and authorized users are permitted to operate machinery and/or hand tools.
              1. a. Users are considered “trained” once they have completed all necessary Makerspace provided training sessions. This may include lectures and hands-on training sessions;
                 1. i. Attendance for these sessions will be documented by Makerspace staff and/or trainer.
                 1. i. The criteria for “passing” will be determined by Makerspace staff.
                 2. ii. Users should consult staff and more experienced users before using complex, expensive or dangerous hand tools for the first time.
                 1. a. Tampering with a 3D printer control access system is grounds for immediate ban from Makerspace.

                 Low Risk

                 Equipment of this nature of typical office supplies and things with a low chance of personal injury.

                 No special process or orientation should be needed before items in this category are used.

                 Mildly Hazardous

                 Equipment in this category has the potential to be harmful, though with some very short orientation and instruction, the risk is easily mitigated.

                 High Risk

                 Equipment in this category has the potential for significant personal injury and the use of this type of equipment should be tightly controlled.

                 Use of this equipment requires certification of the user prior to handling or use of the item.

                 10.Operation of all risk classes of machinery will require a training lecture and a hands-on walkthrough of equipment.
                 11.Operation of high risk machinery will require the supervision of a designated supervisor at all times;

                 1. a. Supervisor must be in the immediate vicinity of machinery (ie. inside room or designated machining area).

                 Rule Enforcement
                 All rules shall be enforced by the Makerspace Coordinator along with faculty and

                 1. All users must follow all SMUMN and Makerspace rules.
                 2. Rule Violations
                    1. a. Rules are considered “violated” when the action in question is easily/reasonably avoidable;
                    2. b. 1st offense: user will receive a verbal warning from staff and will be provided with a review of relevant safety measures;
                    3. c. 2nd offense: user will receive a week-long ban from the Makerspace
                    4. d. Documentation will be kept for the offense;

                    3rd offense: user will receive a semester-long ban from the Makerspace. Documentation will be kept for the offense.