The first piano whose bass strings I replaced - before I had even learned to tune a piano was a Steinway A in the auditorium of private school where I was teaching music. It was referred to by all as "the pickled piano." It seems that after a drama event there was a party held on stage. One of those large institutional-sized jars of pickles was consumed as a part of the festivities. The jar, now containing only pickle juice made its way, somehow, to the edge of the stage. The Steinway was inocently sitting there in the pit. Need I go one and describe the inevitable outcome? I'm sure many of you have your own similar anecdotes. And, naturally, like many of you I have particular enmity for those who damage pianos either willfully or by "accident," whatever that is. The speech I give whenever I encounter students or faculty with food and drink on the piano has become well honed I am afraid. I pull out all the stops, sometimes bereting, sometimes cajoling - whatever is necessary to protect me from having to deal with the damage issuing from their actions. When I arrived here five years ago I visited each piano and noted its condition and it wasn't a pretty site. I can't say that we have entirely eliminated piano damage, but we have instituted some policies that I think are going to have a good effect in the long run. Primary among these is a contract students sign when they check out practice room keys. Here's the whole thing in case you can use any of it. UCSB Department of Music Key & Deposit Receipt & Acknowledgement of Responsibilities I hereby acknowledge receipt of key(s)_____________, and payment of a deposit of ________therefore on this_______ day of ________, 19__; and agree to the following terms and conditions attendant to use of said key. A $25 cash deposit is required for each key issued. This deposit will be refunded, less any outstanding balance owed for damage assessment, when keys are returned to the department. All keys must be returned immediately to the Department At: -the end of each ________quarter. -separation from UCSB or the Department of Music. Failure to return keys promptly will result in the forfeiture of the cash deposit and/or the withholding of student grades, records and transcripts. In the case of practice rooms, each individual student is accountable for the proper and responsible use of the facilities and equipment located in the block of rooms which the key opens. (We have practice rooms keyed in groups: General Use [4 areas], Vocal Major, Piano Major.) Any misuse, abuse or destruction of Department equipment and facilities will not be tolerated. It is mandatory that any vandalism, misue or damage be related to Department staff immediately upon discovery. Any infraction of the following guidelines will result in the confiscation of keys, forfeiture of deposit and loss of use privileges: -failure to close, lock, and secure rooms. -propping open of locked doors. -lending or borrowing of keys. -removing equipment, without authorization, from any space. -the use of Deparment facilities for other than the purpose of practice, rehearsal, study or teaching as established by the Depoartment of Music Executive Committee and Faculty. I acknowledge that I have read these rules and requirements and am fully and completely aware of the responsibilities I am assuming for the privilege of using Department facilities as described herein. (This is followed by a signature of the key recipient, date, and an acceptance signature of the person issuing the key.) If damage exceeds deposit money collected we have the option of withholding grades and transcripts until the outstanding fees are paid. We do withhold money if necessary and we inspect practice rooms before keys are collected each quarter. Naturally, this kind of policy requires that the Department administration as a whole be ready to support this and that there is a school-wide or university-wide policy allowing departments to withold grades and transcripts for these reasons. Keys must be periodically collected and reissued and practice rooms inspected for damage. Also, rooms must be rekeyed where security has by compromised. Now, about those faculty members and their potted plants.......hmmm. bill darst University of California at Santa Barbara
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