POLICIES

Updated – October 2025

Music Department Instrument Office Policies

1.0 Eligibility 

1.1 Actively enrolled music majors, i.e. students of the Music Department at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, are eligible for Music Department Instrument Loans.

1.2 Music Department instruments may not be used for non-Rutgers-affiliated purposes, including, but not limited to, outside teaching, ensembles, performances, or other personal gain.

1.3 Non-music majors can be eligible for the Music Department instruments loan program if they are currently enrolled in an MGSA ensemble or Applied Lessons.

1.4 Personal instrument loans will be at the discretion of the Instrument Office Manager.  The priority of the Instrument Office will always be to ensure students registered for Instrumental Technique courses and Secondary lessons are issued instruments.

2.0 Sign-Out Procedures 

2.1 All loanees must fill out a one-time registration form upon their first visit to the Music Department Instrument Office.

2.2 Instrument availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.

3.0 Loan-Terms 

3.1 If the instrument and/or equipment on loan is not returned by the date assigned per the Music Department Instrument Office, the student is subject to a $5 fine per day overdue. Fines must be paid by a check written out to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey.

3.2 If the student would like to extend their loan and request a later due date for the purposes of a Music Department-affiliated obligation, the student must request and receive approval from the Instrument Office Manager.

3.3 Students may not share instruments without written permission from the Music Department Instrument Office Manager. Failure to follow this policy may result in the loss of instrument and/or equipment loan privileges.

3.4 For Music Department instrument and/or equipment maintenance requests while the instrument is on loan, the student must contact the Music Department Instrument Office Manager. The student may not under any circumstances attempt to repair the instrument and/or equipment themselves or bring the instrument to an outside repair shop/repair specialist.

3.5  Loanees are fiscally responsible for reimbursing the Music Department for any necessary repair or replacement fees for damages incurred while the instrument is on loan to the student. These may be paid by cash or personal check written out to Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. Repair costs must be paid the same week as the repair quote is received by the Instrument Office.