About

Partnerships

Carolina Housing

Located on South Campus, BeAM’s Carmichael Residence Hall makerspace was established through a collaborative effort between Carolina Housing and BeAM. This is BeAM’s ‘second shift’ space, providing late hour access for Makers and dorm residents.

UNC Hospitals

Loaced at UNC Hospitals’ Hillsborough Campus, the RehaBeAM makerspace is the result of a collaboration between UNC School of Medicine’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and BeAM. Located adjacent to the rehab gym, makerspace staff work with practitioners to find innovative solutions that improve patient outcomes. 

Art & Art History Department

Located in the basement of Hanes Art Center, this was the first makerspace opened to UNC’s campus (2015). It was the result of many cross-campus collaborators, eventually finding a mutually beneficial home in the basement of Art & Art History‘s main on-campus building. 

Nursing

BeAM’s fourth on-campus makerspace will open in 2026 as part of the Carrington Hall Renewal Project. Working with UNC’s School of Nursing since 2022, the new makerspace will house equipment suitable to host nursing students for class projects and innovative efforts that could result in continued breakthroughs in healthcare.

RYOBI

Since 2022, RYOBI Tools has contributed an incredible collection of hand and power tools for BeAM’s makerspaces. Their generous contributions continue each year through engagement with our biannual MakerFest event and regular refreshment and updating of tools.

Innovate Carolina

An original and ongoing supporter of BeAM, our partnership continues as we work to provide makerspace access to participants of Launch Chapel Hill and members of The Junction. This is an important step forward as UNC continues to find new ways to serve the citizens of North Carolina. 

Eastman Chemical

Since 2017, Eastman has provided generous support for 3D printer filament at BeAM. Since then, 3D printing has expanded greatly, and this service is available to everyone at Carolina, regardless of their means. Military veterans, scholarship recipients, and many others have told us how much this support has meant over the years and they’re greatful for the opportunity to try 3D printing free of charge.

Carolina Tree Heritage

Working closely with UNC’s star University Arborist, Tom Bythell, BeAM has access to seasoned and/or kiln-dried wood Carolina’s Heritage Trees, including the famed Davie Poplar. This special material is used to craft unique items for University alumni in accordance with Tree Heritage guidelines.

Safety At BeAM

Weapons Policy

BeAM users are expected to use BeAM exclusively for lawful purposes that respect the policies of University of North Carolina as well as the safety and well-being of all students, faculty, staff, and BeAM . It is prohibited to use BeAM to create objects that endanger anyone, including weapons in violation of N.C. Gen. Stat. § 14-269.2.

UNC’s Violence in the Workplace policy defines a weapon as any object that may be used to intimidate, attack, or injure another person or to damage property. Objects understood to have a primary function as a weapon are not allowed on campus unless expressly authorized.

The production of weapons or life-like replicas is prohibited in BeAM. This includes parts of weapons, ammunition, and defensive as well as offensive weapons. Please speak with a BeAM professional staff member if you are unsure whether your item would be considered a weapon.

BeAM reserves the right to prohibit, halt, and/or confiscate any project that could violate the weapons policy. This includes, among other items, projects made using a 3D printer, laser cutter, wood shop, or metal shop equipment.

Penalties for Weapons Policy Infractions vary based on severity of infraction and could include:

• Felony Charges
• BeAM Access Deactivation
• Misdemeanor Charges