The Makerspace is open to all current Mount Holyoke students, faculty, and staff during the posted hours. Hours are subject to change; up-to-date hours can be found on the Fimbel Lab Hours page.

Guests

Members of the Mount Holyoke community may bring one guest to the Makerspace, observing the following rules:    

• The member must stay with their guest for as long as the guest remains in the Makerspace.  

• We expect the member to be trained in the use of any tools and equipment used by the guest, or be trained alongside the guest. 

• The guest must agree to act in accordance with our shared values and sign a waiver upon arrival. 

• Members are given priority for workshop attendance, but guests are welcome when space permits.

Any person under 18 who is not an enrolled Mount Holyoke student must be accompanied by and under the direct supervision of their own parent or legal guardian. They are considered guests of the adult, and access is subject to guest rules. Parents/guardians must sign our waiver for their child. 

The Makerspace strives to provide access to all users and comply with all ADA standards. If you have a problem with accessibility while working in the Makerspace, please talk to one of our student or professional staff. We will do our best to help you promptly. If we cannot address your concern right away, or if you have questions about accessibility, contact FimbelLab@mtholyoke.edu, explain your concern, and indicate whether this is related to a physical or mental impairment that limits one or more major life activities.  

If you require access for a class, academic accommodations may be applicable. We will work with you, your professor, and Disability Services to find a solution. For personal projects, we will work with the appropriate on-campus offices to determine what is feasible. 

Safety first. Make safety your top priority at all times. Familiarise yourself with safety protocols, guidelines, and procedures specific to the tools you are using as well as those of the Makerspace in general. Follow all safety instructions and use protective equipment when necessary.

Respect the space. Treat the Makerspace and its equipment with care and respect. Clean up after yourself, return tools and materials to their designated places, and maintain the space's cleanliness and organization. 

Use equipment responsibly. Use the equipment and tools only for their intended purpose and only if you have received proper Staff training or guidance. Our tools and supplies are here for everyone, so please do not remove them from the Makerspace.

Ask for help. If you are unsure about how to operate a particular tool or piece of equipment, seek assistance from a knowledgeable staff member or experienced user. Don't hesitate to ask questions or request guidance.

Respect time limits. Be aware of any limits or restrictions on the use of specific equipment or workstations. Leave yourself time to clean up and follow staff directives to leave the space at closing time.

Respect others. Be curious, supportive, and collaborative.

Be welcoming of others in accordance with Mount Holyoke’s Code of Conduct. Follow the direction of Makerspace Staff (“Staff”) at all times while in the Makerspace or using Makerspace equipment. 

 Breaches of this code include, but are not limited to:

• Using threatening or abusive language toward or about others

• Endangering the health or safety of yourself or others, either intentionally or unintentionally,  by misusing equipment, throwing objects, using unauthorized materials, or refusing to comply with Staff instructions

• Using equipment without Staff permission or training

• Using the Makerspace or its equipment under the influence of drugs or alcohol

• Removing any tools, equipment, or materials from the Makerspace without express permission of staff

• Leaving behind a mess in any room or work area 

Training

Mount Holyoke students, staff, and faculty may use equipment under Makerspace Staff supervision. If you wish to work without supervision, you must be trained by Staff and receive an Ability Badge stamp for any equipment you want to use. Professional and Student Staff are here to train you in the correct use of all our tools. 

• Staff will document any training sessions they provide. 

• Once you have been trained on a tool and passed a hands-on test, you will receive a stamp for that tool on your Ability Badge. The stamp authorizes you to use that tool unsupervised.  

Safety

Follow all posted or verbally conveyed safety protocols. Never use equipment without training from Makerspace Staff.

• Never use power tools when feeling tired, sick, distracted, under the influence of alcohol, prescription or recreational drugs, or otherwise less than fully functional.

• Never leave machinery running unattended.

• Never use a broken tool

  • If you see something unsafe or in need of repair, discontinue its use and notify a Staff member.

• Do not distract others when they are operating power tools.

• Follow Staff instructions to secure workpieces appropriately and minimize hazards to the body.  Ask staff for help to determine a safe procedure. 

• Keep work areas as clean as possible before, during, and after use, as clutter can cause accidents.

• Return equipment and hand tools to their default positions or storage locations when finished working.

• Alert others in the space to hazards, including high noise levels, especially when beginning a new task. 

Proper Attire/Safety Precautions

The following are mandatory whenever you work with power tools:

• Attire should cover exposed skin appropriate for the task at hand.  

• No loose jewelry or clothing

• Closed-toe shoes

• Long hair tied back

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Wear Makerspace-provided eye protection* at all times in the woodshop/metalshop, and as needed in the general workspace.

• Wear Makerspace-provided ear protection* when the decibel reader is in the red zone in the woodshop/metalshop, and as needed in the general workspace.  

• *Users who would like to use their own PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) must do all of the following:

  • Have equipment that is OSHA-compliant. 

  • Submit a request for professional staff to look over their equipment.  

  • Wear Fimbel-provided PPE until a decision is made. 

Materials

• Some materials pose a health and safety risk when handled improperly (e.g. laser-cutting Polyurethane or PVC). Always tell a Staff member if you plan to bring your own supplies or materials into the Makerspace. 

• A variety of pre-approved materials are available for purchase from our storeroom, or from our cardboard and wood scrap bins.

• All outside materials are subject to Staff approval.

Reserving Equipment

• Our laser cutters and 3D printers are in high demand, so we require reservations. You can reserve equipment on the Makerspace Resources page

Personal Projects

• We welcome and encourage personal projects, but academic projects will get priority. 

We do not allow:

• Designing or fabricating weapons or drug paraphernalia

• Projects whose making, testing, or operation can cause injury or property damage; if something seems potentially unsafe to you, ask a Staff member for help.

• Projects that violate copyright or other intellectual property laws

• Projects that violate Mount Holyoke’s Code of Conduct

• Running a business out of the Makerspace. This includes using our tools or materials to create objects for sale. You are welcome to prototype products and pursue intellectual property rights in accordance with Mount Holyoke’s Invention and Patent Policy.

Policies shall be enforced by Professional Staff, Student Staff, and Directors of Fimbel Lab.

Reported policy violations will be assessed by Professional Staff and Directors, who will determine consequences in collaboration with other campus offices when appropriate, or refer the incident to the Office of Community Standards or Civil Rights and Compliance. 

Most minor violations will result in a discussion of policy with Professional or Student Staff. Repeated violations, or more serious violations, including those endangering the health and safety of yourself or others, may also result in loss of Makerspace access.