Policies

In order to provide the GSD community safe and equitable means of access to fabrication resources, all members of the community who make use of the Fabrication Lab or perform fabrication activities must comply with recognized policies and procedures.

Policy on Use of the Fabrication Lab

The Fabrication Lab (Lab) is for the use of the students, faculty, staff and other authorized members of Harvard University. Only individuals who have completed the required training are permitted access to the Lab spaces, equipment, and other resources. It is inappropriate for students and others to use their Lab privileges other than for their own academic use pertinent to their role at the University. Exploitation of Lab resources for profit or for the creation of items with the potential to do harm is prohibited. Any use of Lab resources that impedes reasonable access by others, threatens performance of the facility, or endangers self, others, or the environment is a matter of grave concern. The unauthorized removal from the Lab of any tool or other Lab material or property, or destruction, defacement, or abuse of any Lab materials or other resources, are prohibited. Individuals who fail to comply with the instruction delivered in training, posted rules, and from Lab staff will be subject to revocation of Lab privileges and disciplinary action.

Access

In practice, access to the Lab and its resources is granted only to individuals who are one of the following:

  • faculty, student, or fellow of the GSD,
  • student from outside the GSD who is enrolled in a GSD course, or
  • research or technical support staff of the GSD or other approved project.

Non-Academic Work

While we recognize that students may engage in fabrication activities and projects that are not in explicit fulfillment of course or other degree requirements, and that these activities or projects may be of academic value, we do ask that any work of this type defers to the needs of students completing work for GSD courses and other degree requirements. Such work includes work that is motivated primarily by:

  • non-GSD academic needs (courses offered at other schools),
  • the advancement of individual skill or experience,
  • student life or other extracurricular student activities,
  • GSD academic needs not associated with a course (faculty-led research),
  • GSD business needs (not associated with courses, degree requirements, or faculty-led research),
  • non-GSD business needs (not associated with the GSD).

Please consult with Lab staff in advance of pursuing work that is not in explicit fulfillment of GSD course or degree requirements. We will review project needs and make an effort to support the work in a manner that does not conflict with the resources needed for student coursework. There may be some project needs that we are unable to support. We might also identify alternative means or facilities for the work to take place.

Consequences

We feel it is necessary for policies and procedures to be observed by all, and to respond to violations in a consistent manner. Therefore:

  • Upon a first violation:
    • User access to Lab resources will be revoked.
    • Individual will meet with Lab staff to discuss the context of the violation and determine the appropriate retraining.
    • Individual must complete required training to regain access to Lab resources.
  • In the case of a subsequent violation, in addition to the above:
    • The Associate Dean of Student Affairs is notified and may meet with the individual to discuss the context of the violation.
  • Any subsequent violation indicative of a habitual tendency or conducive to conditions that are especially dangerous, destructive, or disruptive will be pursued as a Formal Complaint requiring address of the appropriate Review Board Panel and may be subject to Sanctions, as described in the Student Handbook.

Additional Policies

For more detailed policies related to areas of the Lab:

*Because fabrication activities do take place outside of the Lab, the Hazardous Materials Policy and related guidance is applicable across the GSD campus, including spaces and resources that are outside the purview of the Lab.