Author: Nadine Ashton

Imaging Center

The Imaging Center (IC) provides a variety of print and binding services to the CCS community. It is located on the 6th floor of the Taubman Center in room 631. All services are processed by work-study students from various departments on campus.

The IC’s regular hours are Monday – Thursday from 8am to 7pm and Friday from 8am to 4pm. There are extended weekend hours during finals, which are posted on the IC Campus Offices page 

The Imaging Center has two Canon production laser printers, two Epson wide-format printers, and two Epson sheet-feed inkjet printers. In addition, the IC also offers draft quality wide-format printing on two Epson plotter printers. The latest addition to the IC print services is Risograph printing. Furthermore, the IC offers finishing services which include stack cutting and plastic coil or wire binding. 

Students must submit files to the IC that are print-ready via the online print request forms found on the Imaging Center’s Campus Office page. Turnaround times for each service vary but generally take between one and two business days. Turnaround times will increase during midterms and finals. Once a print request has been submitted, IC staff will respond with a price quote and an estimated time of completion, along with a link to schedule a pickup appointment. Students can pay for services with cash, credit card, and the CCS Flex. 

The Imaging Center will accept staff and faculty print jobs through the Department Print Request Form. If color prints or posters are being charged to a department, an 8-digit budget code number is required in order for the job to be processed. Faculty and staff are welcome to print personal projects in the Imaging Center. 

For faculty teaching a sponsored project course, or any other course that will require large-scale printing, please contact the Imaging Center within the first few weeks of the semester with information on what type and how much printing is needed to complete the project and any major due dates. In order to set up a student print budget, the Imaging Center will need a current class roster and budget authorization from Institutional Advancement.

For more information, please visit the Imaging Center’s Faculty and Staff information page. The Imaging Center is also available for digital or in-person consultations to assist with proper file setup or to give advice on projects. Consultations can be scheduled by visiting the IC Calendly page. The IC can be contacted at (313) 664-1507 or by emailing ic@collegeforcreativestudies.edu.

Academic Facilities

Academic Facilities currently include the Metalshop and Foundry, Model shop and Digital Fabrication Lab (CNC/rapid prototyping, and laser cutting), and the Wood shop. These are a group of individually budgeted and managed shops or departments that operate under the Academic Facilities umbrella. The Director reports to the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies at the College. There is a direct line of communication with Academic Affairs and an informal lateral reporting structure with the technical staff for the departments of Art Practice, Craft and Material Studies, and Foundation.

Academic Facilities maintains consistent open shop hours to facilitate the needs of the students, faculty, and staff. These hours are posted at the beginning of each semester and are aligned with the building hours posted by Campus Safety.  

Currently, the educational structure for students to be able to work in all of the shops is to complete the Foundation course – DFN 116 3D Design Techniques.  Limited access to the Model shop and Digital Fabrication Lab and the Wood shop requires completion of DFN132 – Process and Making. Students who pass these courses with a C (2.0) or better are allowed access to the corresponding shops during their curricular tenure at the college. This provides for entry-level access and does not mean they can use every tool in the shop. Department specific courses are offered that build on these basic skills. Permission to use certain tools must be obtained from the individual shop Manager(s).

The Digital Fabrication Lab, Foundry, Metalshop, Model shop, and Woodshop are not instructional facilities.  All faculty are responsible for teaching their students how to utilize the tools and techniques they expect their students to use in the construction of finished projects.

Faculty must notify the shop managers if they wish to instruct their classes in any of the shops at the beginning of each semester. An Academic Project Form is required with a copy of the course syllabus, a complete timeline, roster, and support materials. These forms are necessary for any class project that needs to utilize the shop and will help us to schedule and communicate more effectively. These documents need to be turned in to your Department Chair and to the appropriate Academic Facility Manager at the same time syllabi are due. The reason for this are:

  1. Overall student experience, safety, and health precautions.
  2. Timelines and scheduled appointments to let the shop be better prepared for your class and identify potential overload. There are classes that are scheduled in the shops and shop classrooms that have priority for work space and equipment.
  3. Identify potential training, supplies, equipment, staff, and budget needs.
  4. Faculty Training. A Faculty member’s personal understanding of how to use the shop equipment does not mean they are teaching consistent and proper safety techniques to students or know the limitations and requirements of the individual facilities.
  5. Open shop time is required for students who have course work in the shop for their curricular requirements. This open work time is at a premium with the current number of scheduled courses in all Academic Facilities.  

Classes that wish to be held in the classroom within any Academic Facility; foundry, metalshop, model shop or wood shop for the entire semester need to be scheduled appropriately through Colleague. The curriculum, course content and learning outcomes for these courses will need to be developed and approved with the Director of Academic Facilities and the appropriate shop Manager to ensure that proper operation and safety protocols are included and competency is benchmarked.

If faculty are not capable of teaching the techniques needed to complete an assigned project the project should be modified to accommodate the skills of the instructor, or the instructor should give themselves ample time to learn the skills they wish to pass on to the student.

Shop technicians and work-study are not necessarily qualified to teach faculty and students how to use equipment. Nor are they allowed to complete work for students or faculty during working hours.

 A Mandatory Safety Orientation for each individual shop area is required for all faculty and staff of the college that would like to use the shops in their course curriculum or would just like to utilize the shops in any capacity. There is at least one orientation session at the beginning of each semester. Contact the appropriate shop manager for scheduling.

Forms are required for: Academic projects, individual projects, and independent student projects. Hold Harmless Waivers are required for any visiting artist or any one that is going to be in the shop working in any capacity and is not enrolled or in the College payroll system, as they are not covered by any liability insurance.

Mentor Program

All full-time faculty are required to serve as formal mentors to students. Full-time Faculty will work with an adjunct or staff member, as well as alumni to create a team or “pod” for a designated number of students within their departments beginning Freshman year. Mentors will remain with their group of mentees for the duration of the mentees’ time at CCS. Groups are assigned by Chairs and PMs in communication with Academic Affairs and Institutional Advancement. Each mentor in the pod will have different mentorship responsibilities within the group. This is outlined in more detail in the Mentorship Program Guide. Full-time faculty-specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

  • Responsible for sending out meeting email reminders and populating the calendar for the pod meetings each semester
  • Goal setting focus: Program/Academic/Career
  • Creating supportive departmental culture & connections within the pod
  • Cultivating curiosity/developing strengths
  • Supporting mentee’s goals in and out of the classroom

Mentorship meetings are mapped out in the mentorship guide to provide consistency across the campus. Mentoring sessions include one-on-one and small and large groups. Mentoring activities will vary from one department to another so there is flexibility within the suggested structure. Specific information concerning departmental activities will be determined by pods in discussion with the Department Chair or Program Manager.

The time commitment for mentors varies from year to year but is designed to include approximately 16 student contact hours per academic year.

Upper-Level Course Readiness

A BFA student achieves Upper-Level Course Readiness (UCR) upon earning a minimum of 60 credits, as required for Junior class level. The successful completion of Studio Foundations and core Liberal Arts courses is necessary to ensure progression toward degree requirements and eligibility for 300 and 400 level (or higher) courses. Students must:

  • Complete all 12-18 credits of Foundation courses (based on their major requirements).
  • Complete 12 credits of 100/200 level core Liberal Arts credits before enrolling in Junior-level departmental studio courses, including:
    • WRT102, Composition II
    • AHV 100, Introduction to Material Culture
    • DHU —, Humanities Elective*
    • Art History Option, Choose one of the following:
      • AHV 203, Global Art History I
      • AHV 204, Global Art History II 

*Humanities Requirement may be waived for select majors 

A 3-Year BA student achieves UCR upon successful completion of their initial required 45 credits. 

Students who do not meet UCR requirements are evaluated and may receive a “UCR hold” to address outstanding credits; registration approval may then be required. Each department determines which departmental courses students must complete before progressing to upper-level courses within their department.

Exceptions:

Academic Advisors or Department Chairs may grant exceptions for students with transfer credits or those in specific majors, considering degree timelines and completed credits. 

Students placed in ELS 107 are exempt from the same UCR requirements, for Liberal Arts.

Incoming BFA transfer students who 1) are at or near UCR  by credits and 2) have verified completion of appropriate credits through transcript review will be exempt from the UCR Policy upon enrollment, in order to accommodate first-semester scheduling needs. Prerequisite or other restrictions may still apply. Holds may be applied if issues are identified during annual degree progress reviews.

Adding/Dropping Classes

Courses for which a student is enrolled at the conclusion of the Add/Drop period will be used to determine attempted courses for the Course Completion Rate. Therefore, if it is necessary to adjust one’s class schedule, it is best to do so during the Add/Drop period of the semester. Courses that are dropped after conclusion of the Add/Drop period will show a recorded grade of W, WN, or WF. This will be counted as an unsuccessfully completed course, thus lowering the student’s completion rate.

Students may use Self-Service to add or drop classes up until the last day to add a class in accordance with the academic calendar. After the last day to add a course, if a student wishes to drop a course, students must complete the online drop form that is available on the AARO Campus Office page. 

Students who drop classes during the first seven business days of classes (see Academic Calendar for specific dates) are not charged for the drop. After the seventh day, dropped classes are charged on a sliding scale and those courses will receive a grade of “W”, “WN”, or “WF”.

The academic calendar offers specific tuition reimbursement information. The last day to withdraw from a course is on the Friday of the thirteenth week of classes. No exceptions to this deadline will be made.

The College reserves the right to cancel or change classes, instructors, and schedules; to revise tuition and fee structure; and to amend College policies for the efficient operation of the College. Students are notified by the Academic Advising and Registration Office of any course changes.

Book and Art Supply Stores

The CCS Bookstore is located on the ground floor of the Taubman Center. It is open Monday through Saturday during the academic year. Throughout the summer months it is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Textbooks and other supplies are stocked each semester based upon the faculty’s needs. The bookstore sends out a request to all academic departments in January for information regarding required texts for the full academic year. Based upon these requests, the bookstore will carry the necessary textbooks and supplies. Federal guidelines require that textbook information for required books are available when registration is open for their courses.

Children in the Workplace

All College employees, including faculty, staff, and students, may occasionally experience the need to bring children to campus. The following guidelines are established to clarify the College’s practice regarding such situations.

Employees and students who are responsible for the care of minor children are expected to arrange childcare away from the workplace and campus. The College does not condone bringing children into the workplace and on campus, except as provided below. The College accepts no responsibility for the actions of children on campus; the parents or custodians assume all such responsibility. Bringing children into the workplace or classroom creates a  distraction, for the parent or custodian, for other employees and for students, impeding the performance of College duties and could also endanger the child. The immediate supervisor or instructor will counsel or notify employees or students who bring children to campus without proper authorization in advance.

Exceptions for Employees

Employees may bring children to campus under the following conditions:

An employee is coming to campus for a short visit, or errand, of less than two (2) hours:

  • delivering College-related work (forms, reports, grades, pay a bill, etc.)
  • bringing a new baby to introduce to co-workers
  • other casual, informal College business with co-workers
  • College for Creative Studies sponsored special events

Other conditions to bring children to campus will need approval from the immediate supervisor and Director of Human Resources.

Exceptions for Students

  • delivering College-related work (forms, registration, reports, grades, pay a bill, etc.)
  • bringing a new baby, outside of class time, to introduce to classmates, instructors
  • College for Creative Studies sponsored special events

Other conditions to bring children to campus will need approval from the Dean of Students.

Campus Parking and Traffic

The College provides at no charge secured, covered parking structures for all students, faculty and administrative staff. Access to the parking structure is through the employee ID. Parking is available on a first- come, first-serve basis. Please keep in mind that driving and parking on campus is a privilege not a right. Failure to follow the below policies/guidelines will result in ticketing and excessive violations will result in the loss of on campus parking privileges.

Driving on Campus

In order to provide a safe environment on campus when driving, please adhere to the following:

  • Drive no faster than 10 mph
  • Drive in a responsible and prudent manner
  • Yield to pedestrians

Unloading on Campus

When it is necessary to park in a restricted area for the purpose of unloading:

  • Put on your hazard lights
  • Notify Campus Safety of your task and vehicle location
  • Move your vehicle to a designated parking space within 10-15 minutes

Parking on Campus

In order to park on campus:

  • All student vehicles must have a current school year parking sticker adhered to the inside, lower left corner of the windshield or a temporary parking hangtag on the inside rear view mirror to park on campus.
  • All employee vehicles must display their authorized employee parking hangtag on the inside rear view mirror.
  • All visitor vehicles will be signed in by the Campus Safety Officer upon entering the parking structure.

When parking on campus everyone is expected to:

  • Park in designated areas and between the lines
  • Open vehicle doors carefully
  • Stop at stop signs
  • Report all accidents to the Campus Safety office
  • Maintain current vehicle license plates
  • Remove their vehicle from campus at 11:00pm, unless properly signed in after hours
  • All resident guests with a vehicle staying the night will be properly signed in with Campus Safety and receive a temporary hang tag. The tage should be displayed on the inside rear view mirror.

Do not park in illegal, unmarked or restricted areas on campus. This includes, but is not limited to, parking in fire lanes, the CCS alley, or places that result in another vehicle being blocked.

The storing or repairing of motor vehicles on campus property is prohibited.

Parking Structure

Students, employees, and visitors are welcome to park in the structure. Students and employees must use their ccs ID card to enter the parking structure. If you lose your ID, go to the Campus Safety Office for replacement at a cost of $20. Any I.D. badge that does not function properly will be taken by the parking officer and sent to the Campus Safety office.    Visitors must identify whom they are coming to visit when entering the parking structure and be signed in by the Campus Safety Officer.  

Only vehicles belonging to residents of the Art Centre Building (ACB) or Taubman Center (TC) that have a current school year resident parking sticker can use the parking structure as their primary parking space.

Please note that vehicles parked in the parking structure after 11:00 pm that do not have a current school year resident parking sticker will be ticketed for unauthorized parking and subject to a $50 fine.

Administration / Admissions Lot

The parking lot east of the ADM Building is for assigned employees and visitors to the building.

Visitors are to park in designated parking spaces. Students are not permitted to park in this parking lot.

Walter B. Ford II Lot

The parking lot on the south side of the Walter B. Ford II Building is for employee, student and visitor parking. Vehicles using these lots must bear a current CCS parking sticker or hangtag. Overnight parking is prohibited.

Parking / Traffic Violation Sanctions

CCS tickets, which carry a $50 fine, will be issued to any vehicle violating the traffic/parking guidelines on campus. Fines will be posted to student accounts, and if unpaid, will result in both registration and grade holds. The Human Resources office will track tickets issued to employees and failure to pay will result in disciplinary action.

The Office of Student Life & the Office of Campus Safety and Security will track CCS tickets. Upon receiving a third ticket, the student/employee will lose all parking privileges on campus. This will include deactivating their access to the parking structure, as well as having their vehicle placed on the Tow List. Vehicles on the Tow List that subsequently park on campus will be towed at the owner’s expense.

Ticket and Loss of Parking Privileges

Anyone receiving a CCS traffic/parking ticket who wishes to appeal the ticket can do so by submitting their appeal in writing to the Director of Student Life (students) or the Director of Human Resources (employees) within 14 days of the date the ticket was issued.

Anyone wishing to appeal the sanction of losing their parking privileges on campus must submit a letter of appeal to the Director of Student Life (students) or the Director of Human Resources (employees) within 14 days of the date of the written notification of this sanction. If the appeal is approved the payment of a $25 reactivation fee will be required prior to the reactivation.

City of Detroit Tickets

CCS has no control over tickets issued by the City of Detroit.

Audio Visual Services

Audio Visual Services provides equipment check-out and AV support for faculty, staff, and students. In addition, Audio Visual Services manages the reservations for and supports the Stage, the Green Screen Production studio, the Ford campus Wendell W. Anderson Jr. Auditorium and supports academic events on campus. 

The Ford Audio Visual Center (AVC) is located on the first floor of the WBFII Building, room W109. The Ford AVC may be contacted at 313-664-7647. The Taubman Audio Visual Center is located on the 6th floor of the Taubman Center in room 623 and may be contacted at 313-664-1501.

Through the Audio Visual Centers, faculty may request 24 hour usage of equipment such as digital cameras, TV’s, projectors, and tablets for class purposes. The Center also has cables and adapters available for loan. All staff/faculty are required to pick up reserved equipment (with the exception of TV carts, which are generally delivered to the classroom). Equipment is limited; please submit all audio/visual requests at least two (2) weeks in advance to ensure that the equipment needed is available. Twenty-four hour rentals are free for faculty and staff; three day rentals are free for students, but students are charged a fee for any equipment returned late. Faculty may also make reservations through the AVC for using the sound or video editing suites, and the Stages located in the WBFII Building. Certain shops, labs, and studios may also be reserved through the AVC and Patron Portal. Reservations can be made by calling one of the Audio Visual Centers, reserving online through Patron Portal, or by emailing avc@collegeforcreativestudies.edu

Equipment Checkout

  • Equipment checkouts are free for current CCS students, staff, and faculty.
  • Patrons must present a current CCS ID in order to check out equipment. No ID = No Checkout.
  • Equipment can only be checked out in person and only during checkout desk hours. All checkouts are video recorded and monitored.
  • Students may keep equipment for no more than 72 hours for each check out and renew. Students may renew a checkout one time for an additional 72 hours if the equipment has not been reserved.
  • Students can check out equipment over spring break and Thanksgiving break.
  • Students cannot check out equipment between semesters.
  • To ensure student supply, Staff and Faculty can only check out equipment for 24 hours during the active winter and fall semesters.
  • The patron is fully responsible for the care and safeguard of all equipment that they check out.
  • The patron must pay close attention to all items being checked out to them. Read and sign the checkout agreement to avoid mistakes.
  • The patron must check for equipment damage before they take it. Test and report any faulty equipment and return it immediately.
  • The centers do not supply AA, AAA, or 9V batteries or media cards. We are not responsible for damage to the patron’s card by AVC equipment.

Reservations

  • Equipment can be reserved two weeks prior to pick up. Patrons may reserve in person, by phone or email.
  • AVC staff are not responsible for miscommunication during phone in reservations or voicemail.
  • A reservation confirmation email will be sent to the patron.
  • Patrons are responsible for ensuring the information is correct on the reservation confirmation email.
  • Reserved equipment will only be held for 30 minutes after the initial reservation. After 30 minutes, equipment not picked up will be available for normal checkout by other patrons.
  • Equipment may be held longer for patrons who call to inform of a late pick up.
  • The patron who reserved the equipment must pick up equipment.
  • Consecutive reservation “No shows” (more than 3 times) may result in the semester suspension of check out privileges.

Returns

  • All equipment must be returned on time.
  • All equipment must be returned in the condition in which it was checked out (cords wrapped, cases packed neatly and clean).
  • A $20.00 fee will be charged if AVC/Photo staff has to repack a disheveled equipment case or clean the returned equipment.
  • It is encouraged that the patron stays and observes the AVC/Photo staff while they check in the returned equipment.
  • Someone other than the patron who checked the equipment out may return equipment but the patron is still responsible for the condition of the returned equipment and any fees associated with a late return.

Late fees, fines, and suspensions

  • Students, Staff, and Faculty are subject to late fines and replacement fees.
  • Emails are sent by the system to notify the patron of due equipment and overdue equipment (Read system emails).
  • Late fees begin to accumulate 30 minutes after items become overdue.
  • Overdue fees accrue by the hour, including up to 5 hours after the checkout center closes.
  • Different equipment items have different fine rates. Fines for individual items are calculated independently up to $5.00 per hour.
  • Equipment overdue by more than 24 hours will result in accumulated fines and the suspension of checkout privileges.
  • 24 hours late = two week suspension plus fines
  • 48 hours late = three week suspension plus fines
  • A late return that adversely affects another student’s reservation and project will result in an automatic four week suspension.
  • Equipment overdue by 72 hours will result in a replacement fee, and indefinite suspension of check out privileges. Students will have a hold placed on their academic account. Staff and Faculty supervisors will be notified.
  • Equipment overdue by one week will be considered stolen by the patron.  A police report and arrest warrant will be issued.
  • Overdue fines may be forgiven due to a patron involved in an automotive accident, injury requiring hospitalization, or death.
  • Lost, stolen, or damaged equipment will result in a mandatory, non-negotiable, full replacement or repair charge.
  • An official police report must be submitted for stolen equipment.
  • Consecutive overdue returns and late fees may result in the semester suspension of check out privileges.
  • Threatening or rude conduct toward any AVC checkout employee will result in the permanent loss of check out privileges.
  • Fines must be paid at the CCS business office.
  • Only the Equipment Checkout supervisor or Manager can override policy terms.

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