Communication and Journalism Spaces and Equipment during COVID-19
The entire Stony Brook University community is doing as much as possible to reduce the risk of infection and protect students, faculty and staff on campus during the semester.
Throughout the School of Communication and Journalism's offices and spaces, we have removed workstations and chairs to ensure social distancing and prevent people from congregating. Masks must be worn at all times in public and barriers have been installed around instructor stations and around staff desks located in open areas.
Advising and Meetings with Faculty
All faculty offices are limited to one occupant. If you need to speak to one of your instructors, please contact them via email and find a time to speak over Zoom. Similarly, if you have questions or concerns you want to discuss with one of the front office staff, please email them to find a time to talk.
All School of Communication and Journalism academic advising sessions will be held over Zoom. When advising begins, please contact Undergraduate Director Irene Virag to schedule your appointment.
Journalism Main Office
Spring 2021 Hours
10 am - 4 pm
Monday, Wednesday and Friday
As much as possible, students should avoid coming to the School of Communication and Journalism main office in Melville Library, N4004. If you need to talk to someone, please email them to schedule a time to talk over Zoom.
Only one person will be allowed in the main office at a time. A socially-distanced line, marked with tape on the floor, will form in the hallway. Tape markings will direct traffic and a dispenser of hand sanitizer will be available.
STUDIO B
Traffic Flow
To prevent people using the ECC building as a shortcut between Javits and Psychology, the main entrance will be locked at all times.
If you have class in the Studio, you must enter the building through the door in the parking lot. Your professor or another staff member will open the door 10 minutes before the start of class. You will leave through the same door.
Social Distancing
Capacity in the Studio and Control Room has been reduced by half, and desks have been moved to allow for six feet of distance between individuals.
Sanitation
After each class, students will be asked to help sanitize any computers, cameras, controls or other equipment they may have touched.
Students will be given disposable gloves to wear when handling equipment, including cameras.
Hand sanitizing stations will be available in the Studio and Control Room.
THE NEWSROOM
Traffic Flow
Foot traffic through the Newsroom will be one-way throughout the semester. You will enter through the door on the first floor by the faculty lounge.
If your class is in the Lower Newsroom, you will exit through the door there. If your class is in the Upper Newsroom, you will leave through the outer door near the Staller Steps. Students are responsible for ensuring that both exit doors are firmly closed behind them. This will keep the space, and the equipment, secure.
The flow of traffic will be marked with tape on the floor as a reminder.
Social Distancing
In the Upper and Lower Newsrooms, half of the work stations have been removed. Only five students will be allowed on each level.
Additional chairs have been removed to prevent people congregating in the Newsroom.
Sanitation
Computer mice have been removed from the Newsroom. If you need to use the Newsroom, you will be able to check a wired mouse out for the semester. You will need to bring it with you every time you use the Newsroom.
Headsets have also been removed. If you need a headset for class, for example audio reporting, you will be able to check one out. It will be yours to use throughout the semester.
Borrowed mice and headsets will need to be returned before you leave for Thanksgiving break.
Disposable keyboard covers will be available at the work stations. Students must use these to keep the computers clean for the next user, and to prevent excessive wear and tear on the equipment. After every use, dispose of your used keyboard cover. Students are responsible for sanitizing their workstations after each use. Wipes will be provided.
During demonstrations, instructors and students will wear disposable gloves before handling equipment. Gloves will be provided.
Dispensers with hand sanitizer have been placed throughout the Newsroom.
Student Access
Beginning this spring, all students must sign a Newsroom Agreement before being allowed to use the space. Agreements will be signed in class.
There will be no after-hours access to the Newsroom. Students may access the Newsroom computers virtually via Splashtop. Course instructors will coordinate access.
EQUIPMENT ROOM ACCESS
Hours
Monday
9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tuesday
2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Wednesday
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Thursday
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Social Distancing
Only one person will be allowed in the Equipment Room, located in the basement of Melville Library, at a time.
If necessary, a line will form down the hall. Tape has been placed at six-foot intervals to assist with social distancing.
Equipment Reservations
Equipment, including cameras, tripods and microphones, may be reserved via Cheqroom.
When reserving equipment, students must also specify what time they want to pick it up.
Equipment must be reserved at least one hour before scheduled pick-up time.
If another student has already scheduled an equipment pick-up at that time, other times may be adjusted. Equipment room staff will email students if their pick-up time has been adjusted.
No-Contact Pick-Up
Reserved equipment will be placed on the counter along the wall in the Equipment Room to ensure no-contact pick-up and drop-off.
Students who miss their pick up times will have to reserve all equipment again and schedule a new time.
After checking out equipment, students will receive an email with the date and time their equipment is due back.
Available Equipment
Equipment may be reserved for up to one week at a time.
Students may reserve the following equipment:
- Nikon D7500 DSLR cameras
- Nikon Z6 Mirrorless cameras (please be aware these cameras cost $3,000 and be very gentle with them!)
- Wired lavalier mics (available for the semester, on request)
Students are fully responsible for borrowed equipment, as always. If anything happens to borrowed equipment, students can be held financially responsible for the full cost to repair or replace the item.