[CAUT] Practice room policy

[Gerald Cousins]

Mick,

We have a NO Food or Drink policy in all of the rooms with pianos. Of course it's a very new building and signs were put everywhere the new building.  I believe it's the mindset of the students that needs to be addressed and that IS the challenge. 
We also have the Steinway "Basic Guidelines for Proper Care" signs in every practice room. I move them around from time to time to provide a different look to the room. Don't know if it helps but I figure it's like changing the display in a department store.  Anything to make it more noticeable.

We have recently had a rash of music stands (the Manhasset's) being moved from room to room. There was one put in every room at the start of the year. Since the students were the ones to begin the complaints (and also the ones causing the issue) we asked the advisor's and subsequently put the music frats, Phi Mu Alpha and Sigma Alpha Iota, in charge of patrolling and music stand control in the practice rooms.  I'll let you know how long the initiative lasts.  grin

Gerry Cousins,RPT
Musical Instrument Technical Services
West Chester University
gcousins at wcupa.edu
610.436.2634

To: caut at ptg.org
From: pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu
Date: Wed, 12 Nov 2008 07:55:55 -0600
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Practice room policy



Hi Mick,



Same problem here.  I put signs
on the pianos, but the students think it serves well as a coaster for their
drinks! :>(  I noticed at Oberlin last summer there being a sign
on every practice room and classroom $50 fine for bringing food or drink
into this room!  I don't know if UNL can do this...Oberlin is private.
 They also lock all the rooms and one has to reserve times, get keys,
etc for access.....another thing; I'm not sure if a state owned college
can do this kind of thing.  Non majors come in to play the pianos
all the time, and they're part of all of us taxpayers who pay for them.
I've thought of getting some sort of quilted covers for the lids, but haven't
looked into costs for some 25-30 practice rooms.  Probably more than
I have to spend.  We have extra benches in all the rooms, supposidly
for setting stuff on them, but that really doesn't help much either.



Good luck with the coffee wars



Paul










Mick J Johnson <johnsonmj1 at unk.edu>


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11/12/2008 12:14 AM



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 Hello all. I have subscribed for
some time now but this is my first post. Here is my question:

What kind of policy do any of you have concerning food/drink on the pianos
and liability for any resulting damage? Some of our students seem to think
that the practice rooms are for their personal use and the grand pianos
are coffee tables. I cringe with every soft drink and latte I rescue from
edge of the lid. Signs on the pianos and friendly reminders have not worked
(of course). Has anyone found an effective deterrent? Damage deposits?
Key cards? Coffee sniffing guard dogs? Thanks for any input.

 



Mick Johnson, R.P.T.

Staff Piano Technician

University of Nebraska, Kearney

(308) 865-8119

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