Policies and Guidelines For Use of Research  Building

Goal:
Establish World Class Biomedical Research, Education and Service Environment by Focusing on Five Areas of Responsibilities and Related Activities.

Area # 1) Safety and Security

1. Personal safety (the physical security of the faculty, staff, students and visitors) is of high priority. Lock doors when you leave and keep your keys in secure places.
2. External lighting (around the building) will be maintained in working order. If not, please notify the Associate Dean's office.
3. It is advisable not stay in the building alone at night. Please notify Campus Security if you feel insecure while in the building.
4. Compliance with OSHA standards/requirements and TU guidelines are critical.
5. Radiological Safety, preventing exposure to chemical hazards and other health and safety risks should be routine practices.
6. No eating or drinking is permitted in the laboratories.
7. Smoking is not allowed in the building (University Policy).
8. Children are not allowed in the laboratories.
9. Only authorized personnel will use the laboratory facilities.
10. Visitors are not allowed unless accompanied by authorized personnel.
11. All visitors or unauthorized personnel must stop in the Associate Dean's Office (Room #101) to get permission to visit the laboratories.
12. Follow Emergency Evacuation Plans (diagrams and instructions are posted).
13. Report unauthorized person(s) or any personal safety concerns to the Office of the Associate Dean.

Area # 2) Professionalism

1. Professional looking people engaged in professional and scientific work is expected to populate the facility.
2. The physical environment within the building should be clean and well maintained.
3. Physical Plant personnel will clean floors and hallways. (Specific requirements for special cleaning of labs must be prearranged).
4. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated (University Policy).
5. Laboratory coats (or appropriate laboratory attire) should be worn while working in the laboratories.
6. Employees must be properly attired while working in the labs (e.g. slippers or shorts are not allowed. Proper attire can protect against risks of exposure to chemicals etc.).
7. Loud music, television or other non-professional activities are not allowed.
8. Loud discussions and other distracting activities that take away from productive engagement are unacceptable.

Area # 3) High ethical standards and scientific integrity

1. Biomedical research projects that involve human subjects (in any form) require Institutional Review Board (IRB) approvals (refer to PHS 398 Guidelines for definitions and exceptions).
2. Research projects that involve animals require IACAU approvals.
3. The same goes for radiation safety, biosafety, chemical hazards and recombinant DNA studies. The respective Committees must be consulted.
4. Scientific misconduct, tampering with scientific studies and scientific integrity will be investigated (University Policy and Federal Guidelines).

Area # 4) Excellence in biomedical research, education and service

1. The facility must be used only for legitimate academic endeavors that are consistent with advancing or practicing biomedical education, research or biomedical service.
2. Emphasis on collaboration and sharing of resources (for example equipment) to maximize productivity is encouraged. Note that ALL equipment belong to the University and not to any faculty or staff scientist
3. Multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary teamwork is encouraged.
4. Application or integration of biomedical research with education and service is critical.
5. Sharing of resources (equipment, supplies, and expertise) must be after notification and agreement by the Principal Investigator who originally acquired the resources.

Area # 5) Responsibility and accountability

1. Each area will develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) that are pertinent to their respective laboratories. These SOPs must be consistent with the Policies and Procedures described in this document as well as federal and university requirement.
2. Each faculty or staff will be responsible and accountable to their respective areas of laboratory facility and related areas. However, all persons using the Building are also responsible for safety and security as well as for the professional look of the building.
3. Waste disposal must follow guidelines for waste disposal as specified by OSHA and Biosafety standards and guidelines.
4. Each faculty or staff with assigned space in the new building is responsible for compliance with OSHA, EPA and other federal and university policies and guidelines.
5. Equipment purchased through the University is property of the University. The use, maintenance or disposition of equipment will follow established University Policies as well as Federal Guidelines for acquisition and disposition of properties.
6. Equipment purchased through the university will have a Tuskegee University Identification Number mounted in a visible area and it will be kept on the electronic database system in the Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies office.
7. The assigned laboratory facility must be used for active research and scholarly endeavors. If the assigned lab is not in productive use (i.e. engaged in funded or unfunded research activity and/or to support graduate students) for over 6 - 12 months, the assigned lab space will be reassigned to another scientist who is actively engaged in research and graduate studies.

General Guidelines

1. Resources for Education and Training for areas described in these Policies and Procedures will be acquired through the Office of the Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies. The resources that may include WWW sites, manuals, videotapes, books and journals will be kept in the Conference Room of the Food Animal Production Building so that faculty and staff may access them as needed.
2. The Office of the Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies will manage the Conference rooms (First Floor and Second Floor). Submit requests to the Associate Dean's office to reserve the use of the conference rooms. These will be assigned on a first come, first served basis with due consideration for some exceptional requirements. The person requesting use of a conference room will sign out and return the key at the end of the activity. Please contact Mrs. Tammie Hughley at 724-4540 for arrangements.
3. Keys (outside door, offices or laboratories) are assigned to individuals through the office of the Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies. Please see Mrs. Offem if you need to obtain a key. The respective individuals must sign for all keys.
4. Refrain from posting notices on glass doors and walls. Such postings should be done on Bulletin Boards only. For safety purposes, hallways must be kept free and open.
5. Parking - vehicles must be parked in designated areas. Please refrain from blocking the front entrance driveway. Inform your student employees to park in student designated parking areas only! Vehicles parked in unauthorized areas will be towed.

In case of emergencies or personal safety call 4911 (for Campus Emergency) and 727-8757 for Campus Security.
Problems, questions or suggestions should be directed to Office of the Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Studies (Room #101 - Mrs. Tammie Haughleyor Dr. C.Fermin). You can also reach Mrs. Haughley via telephone at 334-724-4540 or email at ADRAS-CVMNAH@tuskegee.edu.