Policies

Shared Spaces for Learning, Collaboration, and Creativity

The SHED is a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment designed to support active learning, making, performances, events, exhibitions, and community engagement. As one of the most active and flexible buildings on the RIT campus, the SHED serves a wide variety of academic, creative, and social functions each day.

To help maintain a welcoming, safe, and functional environment for all users, members of the RIT community and approved guests are expected to use SHED spaces responsibly and with consideration for others. All building use is subject to RIT policies and university conduct expectations.

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Interior of SHED, featuring an orange staircase.

Food and Beverage

Food and nonalcoholic beverages are permitted in many SHED spaces, including classrooms, event venues, and collaboration areas, unless otherwise noted. Groups are responsible for disposing of trash, wiping surfaces, and returning spaces to their original condition following use.

Events where food service or receptions are a primary component may require additional custodial support or reservation of adjacent lobby and gathering spaces.

Several students sitting at tables, watching a presentation being given in one of the SHED's classrooms.

Classroom Use

SHED classrooms are designed to support active learning, collaboration, and technology-enhanced instruction. Classrooms must remain instruction-ready at all times to support daily academic scheduling.

Reservations for classrooms must be made through RIT’s Event Management System (EMS). Furniture layouts in many classrooms are fixed and may not be rearranged. Any approved room adjustments must be coordinated with SHED staff to ensure proper setup and reset.

Instructional technology and presentation equipment should be used only for approved academic or event-related purposes.

Learn more about classrooms in the SHED

Students walking around and sitting at tables in the Atrium of the SHED.

Atrium and Open Collaboration Spaces

Atrium spaces and open collaboration areas throughout the SHED support informal student use, showcases, tabling activities, receptions, demonstrations, and community programming. Because these spaces remain active public environments, events and activities must be coordinated carefully to minimize disruption to building operations and adjacent academic activity.

Furniture adjustments, additional equipment, displays, or custom layouts must be coordinated in advance through SHED staff and FMS Events.

Learn more about the SHED’s meeting and event spaces:

A large group of people gathered in the atrium of the SHED.

Events and Reservations

The SHED offers a variety of flexible venues for approved university and external events, including lectures, performances, exhibitions, workshops, receptions, and collaborative programming.

Reservations for SHED spaces must be submitted through RIT’s Event Management System (EMS).

Additional services such as AV support, podiums, custodial staffing, furniture setup, staging, or specialized event support may require advance coordination and could incur additional charges.

Learn more about hosting an event in the SHED

A person looking at a print that just completed on a 3D printer.

Makerspace Use and Safety

SHED Makerspaces provide access to equipment, creative technologies, and collaborative work environments that support hands-on learning and interdisciplinary making.

Some equipment and work areas require:

  • Safety training
  • Certifications or competency checks
  • Staff supervision
  • Personal protective equipment (PPE)

Users are expected to follow all posted safety procedures and staff guidance while working within makerspace environments.

Learn more about using the makerspaces

A piano sitting in front of a wall of windows in the SHED.

Cleanup and Room Reset Expectations

All SHED spaces should be left in the same condition in which they were found. Users and event organizers are responsible for:

  • Removing personal belongings and event materials
  • Disposing of trash appropriately
  • Returning approved movable furniture layouts
  • Reporting damages or operational concerns to SHED staff

Additional cleanup or labor charges may apply for events requiring extensive reset or custodial support.

Building Policies

The use of tobacco products is prohibited inside and outside the SHED in accordance with RIT Policy C16.0. This includes cigarettes, cigars, pipes, hookah, e-cigarettes, vaping devices, and smokeless tobacco products.

Only service animals and approved assistance animals are permitted within the SHED in accordance with RIT policy.

Flyers, signage, tabling materials, and other promotional displays within the SHED must follow university posting guidelines and are subject to approval.

Approved posting is permitted on the designated bulletin board located near the elevator on the SHED first floor. To post materials, individuals must bring their items to the SHED Information Desk for review and approval. 

Posting privileges are limited to registered student clubs and organizations or official university departments.

For broader distribution of marketing or promotional materials throughout the building, special approval is required. Interested groups should contact the SHED team for review and authorization.

If you are interested in having your material on the SHED LED Wall, please submit the online form for content creation or completed content.

The SHED is not responsible for unattended belongings. Lost and found items may be turned in to Public Safety or the SHED Information Desk. A small lost and found area is located on the first floor near the Wallace Library entrance within the SHED.