Visualization Laboratory Policies

These are a few basic policies of the Visualization Laboratory to ensure smooth operation of the lab for all users. We will do our best to accommodate any unusual needs, as long as they do not interfere with the progress of others' research.

Complete the form at the bottom of this page when requesting a new ITG account.

Usernames and i-cards are not to be shared under any circumstances. Each Visualization Laboratory user must be independently registered and use his or her username and i-card to access the lab.

Sharing of i-cards or usernames or admitting non-registered users into the Visualization Laboratory to use equipment will result in termination of access to the Visualization Laboratory for the offending registered user. No exceptions.

Guests are welcome in the Visualization Laboratory if they are accompanied by a registered user. While in the lab guests may not use any of the Visualization Laboratory equipment. No exceptions.

Visualization Laboratory fees are subject to periodic review. Fees vary between category and fee structure is usually based on the annual maintenance costs for the equipment or service. Please consult the complete list of current fees on the fees page.

No equipment, manuals, or other items should be removed from the Visualization Laboratory without prior consent of the ITG staff. Please see the equipment page for more information on what is available for checkout.

Users should not move, rewire, or reconfigure any Visualization Laboratory equipment. Failure to follow this guideline will result in termination of access to the Visualization Laboratory for the offending registered user. If your project requires a different configuration than is currently in place, please see an ITG staff member or contact Visualization Laboratory staff and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.

Users are not to install software on any computer. Ask an ITG staff member for help if you need access to a particular package: we try to accommodate all software needs.

The purpose of the Vis Lab is to promote and augment University sponsored research for degree granting work by students. Use of the Vis Lab is by no means meant to produce any content used for-profit as stated in the Urbana Campus Policy on Appropriate Use of Computers and Network Systems at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Vis Lab staff may, as necessary, question the need of work performed to help remain in accordance with this policy.

The Vis Lab supports university-related and sponsored projects only. Projects related to class, major, and/or degree requirements qualify as university-related. Investigators working on projects related to industrial operations (commercial, for-profit, etc.) must first complete a facilities usage agreement with the Beckman Institute business office prior to using the lab.

The Vis Lab adheres to University Policy, which in turn refers to a variety of professional societies.

We adhere to the Ethical Principals and Code of Conduct outlined by the American Psychological Association (APA), particularly Standard 8, Research and Publication, which prohibits the fabrication of data and plagiarism among other forms of misconduct. And we adhere to the IEEE Engineering Code of Ethics.

ITG Vis Lab staff will not accept requests for work that are of questionable integrity.

The Vis Lab strives to accommodate all legitimate requests for research support. However, please be aware that our resources are limited, and that we cannot support requests for last-minute work except in very special circumstances. In general, please plan to request work at least two weeks in advance of the results.

The Vis Lab staff have the right to work in an environment that supports them. Please be aware that staff may not be able to accommodate requests for unusually stringent monitoring or unusually frequent updates.

Vis Lab Users are responsible for any additional cost incurred on projects they are performing in the Vis Lab. The only exception to this is when hardware or software errors occur.

ITG isn't responsible for the timeliness of projects or research due to improper use of facilities or hardware and software failure. Our staff will do everything possible to ensure the Vis Lab is always properly functioning.

In the case of IT technical difficulties and there's no ITG staff person present please contact the ITS Help Desk for help.

Food and drink are allowed in the lab. Please be very careful! Wipe up any spills and clean up all crumbs on the desks or otherwise. Cleaning supplies are located in the wet lab (fume hood room).

Please remember to log off the computers upon completion of use but never shut down a computer (unless in the case of needing to restart it). Computers in the Visualization Laboratory are powered on 24/7 and go into sleep power save mode when not in use. Powering down a machine will cause it to miss its nightly backup cycle.

ITG staff members are available in person and via email/telephone to answer questions regarding Visualization Laboratory projects and equipment. ITG staff members are typically available between 9am-5pm on weekdays. For specific questions, feel free to contact a staff member individually, or simply send an email to the Visualization Laboratory Staff.

All additional Urbana campus policies apply in the Visualization Laboratory.

Thank you for adhering to these policies and helping us operate the Visualization Laboratory.