MSC Graphics Technology Lab Policy

Purpose: To provide guidelines for use of the MSC Graphics Technology Lab facilities, personnel, and materials.

Background, Multimedia Support Center:  MSC is a unit within the Provost's Cost Center.  It is staffed and equipped to provide high-quality  multimedia support to Naval Academy personnel: midshipmen, faculty and staff.  Its primary focus is to support Academics, including all midshipman work relating to class assignments, faculty and staff work intended for classroom instructions, faculty work relating to research, and staff projects within the Provost's Cost Center.

MSC Graphics:

• is primarily a self‑help operation.  Midshipmen, faculty and staff are expected to learn graphics skills under the supervision of a graphics artist. The MSC Graphics Technology Lab staff may produce posters, video/audio editing and digitization, and presentations for Superintendent, Architect of the Naval Academy, Academic Dean and MSC Director or for faculty and staff if such work is approved.
  
  
• also, provides services to the other for USNA Sponsored Conferences that take place on the Naval Academy grounds. Support includes designing and printing poster announcing the conference, design of the program for the event, and badge design. Annual conferences include Naval Academy Science & Engineering Conference, Naval History Symposium (McMullen History Conference), Michelson Lecture, Bancroft Lecture, Naval Academy Foreign Affairs Conference and the Naval Academy Leadership Conference. Limited sign making is also included, and the contractor has the option of using digital signage (GFE) systems to address this need.

• will provide priority assistance to Midshipmen in support of the end-of-semester poster sessions. These activities require working with Midshipmen and faculty in the design of poster relating to academic research then printing one copy of these posters (usually 40 inches by 30 inches) so that as many as 500 different posters are ready for display on the Academic Research Day (Independent project day). Not exceed 1,500 posters in a calendar year.
  
  
• shall train and assist midshipmen, faculty and staff in other graphics operations such as bulletin board creation, sign-making, laminating, binding and other less technology-intense graphics operations.

• does not support personal use.(Examples of personal use include: office/building decor, department roster/midshipman showcase posters, faculty directories, decorations, retirement cards, gifts, home use materials, etc.)

• offers self-help consultations and training classes for Naval Academy midshipmen, faculty, and staff on a first‑come, first-served basis or by scheduled appointments.  Personnel from tenant activities, non‑appropriated‑ funded activities, and USNA-related private activities may attend classes on a "space available" basis.

• will assist midshipmen, faculty, and staff with computer programs and design assistance for computer-based projects and in preparing design work so that it may be submitted elsewhere for production, printing, and mounting as directed by the appropriate funding source. The MSC Graphics Technology Lab does not support large-quantity printing.

One of the major expenses of the MSC Graphics Technology Lab operation is cost for materials associated with posters (poster board and printing/mounting operations) and vinyl‑lettering production. These services are reserved for Academic projects, and Superintendent sponsored events (Service Assignment and like events etc.).  Superintendent sponsored events will need approval from the Superintendent's office. Other approved users desiring material support must secure approval in advance and in writing from the MSC Director.

Midshipmen seeking materials for "spirit boards", booster posters ("Beat Army”), “Pro Reports", Bancroft bulletin boards and personal/non‑academic activities should obtain new materials sold at the Midstore or elsewhere. The graphics staff will provide guidance and design assistance as their time permits.

Cases for exceptions to this policy must be made in writing to the MSC Director.

Director of Multimedia Support Center
Matt Mcmahon,  mmcmahon@usna.edu, 410-293-5862

MSC Graphics Technology Lab Manager
Tim Shattuck,  shattuck@usna.edu, 410-293-5853