I'd have to agree with Alex's last post. However, it's not like I haven't spent my own money, or used my own gear for school stuff.
I personally make a distinction on some of those aspects though:
Tools. It's easier for me to know I have my own tools, the right ones for the job, and easily at
hand. I keep these tools in a locked bag, and in a locked room overnight, but they do live at school. People know that these are my tools, and I don't tend to lend them out, and if I do it's to people I know well and trust to respect my gear. So this is something for personal use (plus I love tools and stuff: I'm a geirdo.) Lastly, it's not like I'm leaving my tools behind. If I have work to do somewhere else, or eventually leave school, my tools come with me.
Certain organizations around campus are student driven. Things like coffee
house and other events. In these situations I'm either personally invested in the project, or helping out a friend. I don't spend any money on anything for the
Theatre Dept, unless I justify it to myself (For instance I pilfered 6-8 cuts of
gel, and replaced it with a new sheet of R60).
I think fixing things and investing time isn't an issue, it's where money comes into
play. Personally, I find it calming to go into the
theatre, even during high-stress / multiple test times, and work on something. So in that respect stuff gets "magically" fixed.
You are also the one without a working lightboard, right? And you do have school assemblies in your building, right? Perfect! Don't worry about a work-around for your next assembly. When the Head Master takes the
stage and has to spend 45 minutes talking in darkness, he'll feel pretty stupid, and you'll get something new pretty quick.