Code of conduct

Welcome to the uCreate Makerspace, open to all students, faculty, staff and alumni. The uCreate Makerspace strives to provide access to a wide range of useful and well-maintained equipment and trainings, as well as project space. The makerspace seeks to provide a safe and secure environment and facilities suitable for design, fabrication, collaboration and learning activities. Makerspace users are expected to respect the rights of others, the integrity of the makerspace resources, and behave in safe and reasonable manner at all times.

Users will:

• Use digital and online resources within the guidelines of the Edinburgh University computing regulations.
• Adhere to policies governing appropriate use of University identification.
• Present identification upon request.
• Comply with makerspace policies.
• Respond to emergency alarms and other situations as instructed by staff; leave the building at closing time and limit use of the makerspace to authorized areas and equipment only.
• Report all accidents, injuries and near misses on the Edinburgh University Accident and Injury Reporting system.
• Behaviours that infringe upon the rights of other uCreate users or staff are prohibited. Prohibited activities and behaviours include, but are not limited to, the following.

Users will not:

• Exhibit any threatening or intimidating behaviours, e.g., abusive language, threats of violence or harassment.
• Engage in behaviour that is potentially unsafe or harmful to self or others.
• Create disturbances with disruptive noise beyond what is necessary for normal activities in the space, e.g., shouting or loud music when a workshop is in session.
• Engage in any sexual activities including, but not limited to, unwanted or inappropriate touching, unwanted or inappropriate advances, harassment or indecent exposure.
• Vend, peddle, solicit or petition in any uCreate spaces; post or distribute materials without permission.
• Use alcohol, tobacco or controlled substances.
• Obstruct use of makerspace equipment, facilities, or deny access to makerspace tools through theft or deliberate misplacement.
• Deface or damage makerspace equipment or tools.
• Borrow or otherwise remove makerspace equipment or tools from the makerspace without express permission.
• Provide access to the makerspace for non-inducted persons without permission.
• Misuse, misappropriate, damage or deface the makerspace furniture, building or equipment, including computer systems.
• Have food or drink in areas where they are prohibited.
• Bring animals into the makerspace.
• Leave personal belongings unattended.

Sanctions for non-compliance:

Makerspace users found in violation of this code of conduct may be asked to present identification to Makerspace staff; may be subject to a search of backpacks or bags; may be directed to leave the premises and not return to the Makerspace facilities for the day or permanently; and may be reported to University of Edinburgh security or law enforcement agencies. Disciplinary or legal action may also be taken in accordance with applicable laws and policies.

UK law, local regulations and Edinburgh University policies, including the code of student conduct, Workplace Violence and Sexual Harassment policies and other policies in the Edinburgh university also apply within the Makerspace. In addition, the Makerspace has written policies on food, drink and tobacco and use of equipment. All referenced Makerspace policies can be found on this page.

Health and Safety is the top concern of the uCreate Makerspace and all users must adhere strictly to all health and safety rules at all times in order to be allowed to continue using the space.

This includes but is not limited to:

• Safe use of equipment as instructed and not attempting to bypass interlocks, effect repairs or make changes without express permission.
• Seek permission before using any user sourced exotic materials with makerspace equipment.
• Safe and sensible use of tools.
• Returning dangerous tools or equipment to a safe state or location after use.
• Cleaning of mess created from equipment or tool use.
• Reporting any observations of unsafe equipment or behaviour.
• Not attempting to use restricted equipment or tools.
• Complying with lone working rules as listed below.

‘Lone working’ rules apply to any user who finds themselves in the uCreate Makerspace alone outside of staffed hours. During such a period: users may not use sharp tools, must present themselves to the Library front security desk immediately upon injuring themselves and must evacuate in the event of a fire, making no attempt to fight it.

Users who fail to comply with health and safety policy or repeated unsafe behaviours may have access privileges suspended or revoked.

It is the policy of the Makerspace to maintain an environment appropriate for the protection of equipment and projects and conducive to work. Food and covered beverages are allowed but must be tightly controlled to avoid spillage. The Makerspace prohibits the consumption of food while using any makerspace equipment or other electronic technology. The Makerspace reserves the right to ask any user to remove their food and/or beverage from the space if in the judgment of the staff it constitutes a violation of this policy. In addition, failure to comply with posted restrictions or staff instructions regarding the consumption of food and beverages constitutes a violation of the Makerspace Code of Conduct.

Guidelines for the consumption of snack foods and covered beverages
In order to preserve MakerSpace equipment resources and provide a comfortable environment for all, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines:

• Food and covered beverages are permitted in most areas. Messy or strong-smelling foods are not permitted without permission.
• Water is the only uncovered beverage permitted in the space and may only be uncovered in areas not physically close to equipment.
• Unattended food and/or beverages are subject to being disposed of by staff.
• Clean up any spills right away—if additional assistance is needed, contact Makerspace staff.
• Properly dispose of all food, trash, compostables, and recycling.

The use of tobacco products and e-cigarettes is prohibited in all areas of the Makerspace. Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings by law. This prohibition also extends to the use of electronic cigarettes.

The following rules apply to use of equipment and computers within the Makerspace and supplement University-wide policies on use of computing resources.

1. Making and manufacturing: users must not manufacture inappropriate or illegal creations while using makerspace equipment, including on equipment that is out with uCreate locations themselves. Any user who is unsure whether an item would contravene this policy should seek staff guidance.

This includes but is not limited to:

• • Hateful or prejudiced iconography.
  • Any kind of weapon or implement designed to cause harm.
  • Creations that exhibit nudity – note that this restriction applies only to equipment outside of the uCreate makerspace itself. Manufacturing creations involving nudity as part of artistic or medical depiction is permitted within the main makerspace.

2. Use of computing resources is a privilege that depends on individuals using the resources appropriately and in accordance with University policies UK laws. These laws and policies cover such areas as illegal access to computer systems, networks, and files, copyright, and harassment issues.
3. At times, the demand for equipment and computer usage could exceed availability. You are asked to be sensitive to the needs of others and limit equipment and computer use during times of heavy demand. The Makerspace may take additional steps to regulate equipment and computer use, such as requiring reservations and setting time limits.
4. Users should demonstrate respect for individuals’ rights to privacy and freedom from intimidation or harassment. You are asked to be sensitive to the fact that some on-screen images, sounds, or messages create an atmosphere of intimidation or harassment for others. The Makerspace may take steps to maintain an environment conducive to its intended uses.
5. Use of computers for recreational purposes such as game playing is considered lower priority than using these workstations for supporting design and fabrication activities. The Makerspace may intervene to ensure optimal access to computers for these purposes.
6. We welcome the use of laptops and other personal computing devices in the Makerspace. Users may connect personal equipment only to the wireless network, or to ports designated for such use. Use of personal equipment, such as extension, adaptor, or power cords must not pose a safety hazard for others.

Users who fail to comply with these policies may have access privileges suspended or revoked.

The uCreate Makerspace strictly prohibits possessing dangerous weapons or instrumentalities in the Makerspace or using the Makerspace to manufacture dangerous weapons or instrumentalities. If you have any questions, please consult a staff member.

The uCreate Makerspace is intended as a community innovation space, and is open to students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Use of the Makerspace does not create any intellectual property obligations for the user; in other words, no new “strings” are added by use of uCreate equipment.

The burden to not violate intellectual property law remains with the user while using makerspace equipment. Any existing Intellectual Property (“IP”) obligations that apply to what a user brings into or creates in the Makerspace cannot be eliminated simply by use of the Makerspace facility. For example, IP obligations from an employment agreement or employer policy, whether that employer is the University of Edinburgh or a private company, may apply to what a user creates in the Makerspace (or what that user creates at home in their garage) if that creation is related to their work for that employer.

Further detail for  employees and students regarding existing general IP obligations can be found in the University policy on intellectual policy.

For the sake of clarity, the use of the facility, equipment, supplies, or staff support will not create any obligation for Edinburgh employees and students to report inventions or assign said inventions to the University.