Who can be involved with the space?
Any active student, faculty, or staff of Columbia University can join the Makerspace!
At this time we CAN NOT extend our facility to Alumni with a valid CU ID card.
Using the Makerspace for a class?
Please give us three weeks notice so that we can work with you to accommodate your class. We can help give machine trainings and organize resources. We will also put your class time on our calendar so that other users will be notified. This helps ensure that the makerspace continues to be a resource that is useable by everyone.
Please fill out this form to let us know about your class use.
Classes that use the makerspace without properly notifying us will be asked to leave until they submit a request through the proper channels, allowing us to assess how the makerspace can best fulfill their needs.
Onboarding
Onboarding is mandatory for anyone wanting to become a User, and in fact, access to space is prohibited to anyone who hasn’t received this. These are our safety and protocol training. The onboarding consists of a video, quiz, and an in-person check-in with a staff member or superuser. Please first watch this onboarding video and then complete the onboarding quiz. Once you have done these steps, come to the makerspace to complete the onboarding with a brief check in.
Once you have completed our Onboarding training, you are considered a user.
Machine Specific Training
The first step after becoming a user, is to be trained on specific tools, and this training is provided by our staff and superusers. Every superuser is familiar with and able to train you on the most basic tools in the space, and you are welcome to ask them during their office hours without making an appointment.
Some tools are more specialized and not every superuser can train them. For those tools, there is typically a subset of superusers that can. Check the list of superusers to determine which superuser knows which tool, and you may wish to coordinate with them for training.
If you already know how to use a tool, not a problem. Speak with the superuser on duty and demonstrate that you do. They'll be happy to check you off on the tool or provide a refresher if needed.
Policies
As a member of the space, you are expected to know and follow these policies:
Safety
You must be familiar with and follow the lab safety policies outlined in the safety training.
You must be trained on any tool you use in the space.
Ask questions if you are uncertain about any aspect of a tool's operation.
Look out for yourself and your peers. If you see anything dangerous, please report it to a superuser.
Respect the space
Clean up after yourself. This is both being considerate and for safety.
You can only be in the space when a superuser or the lab manager is present. Also respect opening and closing times. See the calendar for listed hours.
Do not circumvent any space policy or safety procedure.
Respect your colleagues
Be considerate of other users and superusers in the space.
Share the tools.
Respect the equipment
Do not borrow tools from the space.
Use tools for their intended purpose.
Put tools and material back after using them.
Refill tools that are empty.
Notify the superuser on duty if the space is low or out of a certain material.
Materials
The space provides many materials (electronic components, cloth, wood, plastic, vinyl, etc.) for you to use. You are welcome to whatever you find in the public bins as long as you are not using a sizable portion of our inventory. Talk to a superuser for details on what quantities are reasonable.
See the Tools section for specific material limits.
If you are using a sizable portion of our inventory, we ask that you bring your own materials. We are happy to recommend suppliers.
