TechCheckout Terms and Conditions

Returns and Financial Responsibility

The responsible use of equipment is free of charge for all current Faculty, Staff and Students of Macalester College. At the time of checkout, Digital Resource Center (DRC) staff will go over the equipment with you. When returned, the equipment will once again be inspected in your presence. If any items are missing or damaged, please bring it to the employee’s attention immediately for documentation and so that items can be repaired and/or replaced.

Patrons are responsible for equipment checked out by them; do not check out equipment for others. You will be responsible if it is damaged or not returned.

Damages

Failure to return items on time or in the condition they were checked out in may result in suspension from the use of TechCheckout and warrant replacement or repair fees. You will not be charged for normal wear and tear on equipment, but will be charged for missing pieces of equipment (ie, camera battery chargers and tripod plates), or major equipment damage due to negligence.

Overdue and Lost Materials

Overdue reminders will be sent to patrons once an item is overdue, at 24 hours past due, three days past due, and one week past due. Subsequent reminders will be sent daily until the item is considered lost.

Items not returned fourteen days beyond their due date or prior to the end of a semester will be considered lost and subject to a non-refundable processing fee and a replacement fee that is refundable if the item is returned within thirty days of being considered lost. Items returned after thirty days of being considered lost will not be refunded.

The processing fee for all items considered lost is $25. Estimated replacement fees are listed in TechCheckout on each item page; actual replacement fees charged will reflect the actual cost of item replacement, so it may be slightly lower than what is listed. Charges for students will be sent to student accounts the next business day after an item is considered lost and the amount will be added to their next monthly bill. If an item is returned within thirty days after the charges have been processed, the replacement fee will be reversed. Charges for faculty and staff will be sent to their individual departments.

Loan Bookings, Renewals and Extensions

Items can be booked online via Tech Checkout up to two weeks in advance. Most items can be booked for three days at a time. Laptops and chargers can be booked for up to two weeks at once.

Only one reservation (future booking of an item) of a particular item may be made at a time (i.e. no back-to-back reservations). Once an item is returned, it may then be checked out again in person or reserved again, if it is available. This ensures that limited resources can be shared fairly.

Some equipment is eligible for a one-day renewal, subject to availability. If renewal is possible, a “Renew booking” button will appear on your resource booking page at techcheckout.macalester.edu. Media and Cultural Studies (MCST) equipment cannot be renewed online. 

Return Equipment to the DRC

All equipment must be returned directly to a student worker or staff member at the Digital Resource Center front desk. If equipment is left at the desk or elsewhere on campus, your borrowing privileges will be suspended. If you need to make special return arrangements, please reach out to the DRC to make return arrangements.

Data Storage on Checkout Devices

Be sure to back up any data stored on DRC devices prior to returning equipment. Data is wiped from DRC equipment (SD cards, flash drives, portable hard drives, and computers) upon return.

Special Request and Questions

If you have a special request, long-term needs for equipment, or other questions please contact DRC Manager Brooke Schmolke at [email protected] or by phone at 651-696-6084.