Psychology Department– terms and conditions

Equipment loans are operated on a system of fair play to all.  This is not a commercial operation and the terms and conditions for loans are constructed accordingly.  It is expected that all those using the service do so with a sense of responsibility towards others – respecting the equipment, returning items on time and not manipulating the system for your own (or a group’s) benefit.  If Psychology staff detect signs that an individual or group is/are abusing the “trust and fair play” in place for this service, your rights to borrow equipment or book rooms may be curtailed or removed.

Equipment booked

• Reserved equipment must be collected during published times and only by the person who has made the booking on SISO (the reservation system). Check canvas for details or email PsychologyTechnician@winchester.ac.uk.
• Bookings can be made for a maximum of 5 days; it is permissible to renew a booking, once, on SISO by selecting your booking from the home page, active booking and clicking on renew. See the SISO tutorial for more information. If you require a booking extending beyond the above, contact the Psychology Technicians.
• To collect the equipment, you must present your student or staff ID card – without it, the equipment cannot be handed over and your booking may be cancelled.
• On collection of the equipment, you become responsible for its safekeeping and return to the technicians in good working order.  It is strongly recommended that, on collection, you check the items immediately and report anything that doesn’t look right to the technicians.  Whilst every effort is made to ensure all items are in good working order prior to booking, the turn around in loans means there is a small chance for something to be missed.  If you report a fault straight away (within 15 minutes of collection), you will not be held liable and the technicians will try to provide you with a replacement or suitable substitute.
• If you book equipment and do not collect it twice in any academic year, this may result in restrictions for future bookings and a requirement to contact technicians until such time as she/he determines the restriction can be lifted. Note also that any future bookings you may have in the system may be cancelled.  If you no longer require a booking, cancel it in Connect 2 or ask the technicians to assist you.

Returning equipment to the Technician’s store

• Psychology Technicians make a short visual check of all items returned, followed by a full check within 1 working day.
• If damage is discovered or parts are missing, you will be responsible for the repair or replacement of those parts and will be notified as soon as possible following the full check.  See section “Damage, loss and insurance”

Booking rooms and other facilities in the Psychology Department

• The Psychology Research Room, Social Research Room, EEG, HPP, Colour and Eyetracker labs must initially be booked through a technician unless you are a member of staff.
• Swipe card access is available for all cubicles and labs. Take your badge to security at St Swithuns Hall.
• No-show (15 minutes after the start of the booking) and your reservation may be cancelled and the room made available to others.
• Room must be left in a tidy and clean state, with all equipment in place and in good working order.  Failure to comply may result in Psychology Technicians restricting your rights to book rooms in the future.

Health and safety (H+S)

• Certain items of equipment and department rooms may require specialist training before you are allowed to book out the item or space.  Make sure that you have completed this training to avoid disappointment in having a booking rejected.  Non-compliance with health and safety training or obvious misuse of equipment may result in penalties, including restrictions on booking or use of the facilities.  The University takes H+S very seriously.
• The loan counter equipment is booked out on SISO using a ####, please be aware of the safety precautions with this scanner, see ####### for details.

Loans penalties and fines

• At this time Psychology is not implementing a late fine system. This will be reviewed quarterly.
• If you return items late more than two times in any academic year, you may have your borrowing rights curtailed or removed.  In this case, you will have to negotiate future loans with the technicians until such time as she/he is satisfied your rights can be restored.
• The Technicians check for overdue loans on a regular basis.  Reminder emails are sent out.  If equipment is not returned following the email request, your IT account may be disabled and your Faculty manager informed. On return of equipment, your IT account will be enabled but your ability to book further equipment will be locked until any outstanding fines have been paid in full.

Damage, loss and insurance

All loan equipment, including items taken abroad for work and study purposes are insured by the University;  however the borrower is financially responsible for paying all insurance excess charge(s) in the case of any loss, theft or breakages of equipment, regardless of the circumstances. Remember that the person booking the equipment is responsible for the items at all times during the booking period.

An excess charge of £500 will apply for damaged, lost or stolen items. All losses must be reported to the local police and a report obtained.  You must supply a crime report reference number for stolen equipment.  If no crime reference is obtained, you will be liable for the total cost of replacement of all items stolen.

If the repair is less than the excess above, you will be responsible for funding the repair up to this amount.  In the case of stolen equipment of items less than the amount above, the same rules apply

If you are considering traveling abroad with a loan item then please see the Psychology Technicians in HJB308.

Escalation and contact information

If you have any problems with Psychology department loans then please contact the head of department Samuel Nyman (samuel.nyman@winchester.ac.uk).