Use of Equipment and Facilities

Keys

Security

Computers

Use of State-Owned Vehicles

Photocopier

GRA Obligations

Department Committees

Checking Out

Soil Science Thesis Option Graduate Program

Oregon State University

V. GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF GRADUATE STUDENTS

A. Use of Equipment and Facilities

Often it is not possible to equip different laboratories with duplicate items of equipment. Specific facilities and equipment, as needed, are made available to graduate students. Faculty or staff members are assigned the responsibility for specific equipment and research space. Those using the equipment are expected to be instructed in its proper use and care.

1. If it is necessary to borrow an item, obtain permission from the appropriate project leader or other responsible person. Return item promptly.
   
   
2. Clean up the area immediately after use. This is particularly true for general work areas (shops, greenhouse, computer room, etc.) which are used by others.
   
   
3. Books and journals are not to be removed from the Department of Soil Science library (ALS 3006), except to make photocopies with immediate return to the library.

B. Keys

Keys permit access to the building, certain offices and laboratories. See the Soil Science Administrative Assistant to arrange obtaining keys.

1. Keys should be maintained on your person and not left where they can be easily taken by others.
   
   
2. Lost keys must be reported promptly.
   
   
3. Keys must be returned on completion of the study program.

C. Security

All windows and doors must be locked when rooms are not occupied. Custodial personnel and campus police regularly report offices and laboratories that are not properly secured.

D. Computers

A computer room available for use by students is located in the Department. Other computers are located in offices throughout the Department.

1. Research projects have priority for use of computers.
   
   
2. Computers furnished by the Department may be used for writing theses and for homework assignments when not being used for research projects.

E. Use of State-Owned Vehicles

Operators of state-owned vehicles must be employees of the State of Oregon (this includes Graduate Assistants) and have a valid Oregon driver's license. Students may drive a vehicle only after prior permission is obtained from the responsible faculty member. In addition to "driving defensively", keep public relations in mind. These vehicles are very visible, and you are a representative of the State. Under no conditions shall state cars be used for personal purposes.

The student must get a Motor Pool form from the departmental Office Administrative Assistant, fill it out and have the major professor and Department Head sign the form, then submit it to the OSU Motor Pool. This must be renewed every September.

F. Photocopier

Departmental copying equipment is to be used only for copying materials that are directly related to the official business of the Department. You must have a copy machine access code. This can be obtained from your major professor.

Personal copies may be permitted after payment of proper charges. Costs associated with reproduction of draft copies of a thesis will be paid by the student.

G. GRA Obligations

Graduate students on assistantship appointment (GRA) are employees, and have obligations for work on Departmental projects. Assistantship appointments differ from fellowships in this respect. Usually a graduate assistant will work different hours in different terms, depending on research or teaching demands. Work schedules will be decided by the major professor. It is recognized that thesis research may contribute to experiment station projects; consequently, there may be little distinction between employment obligations and thesis work. Graduate Research Assistants are expected to contribute to departmental activities by serving on committees.

A student on a 0.5 FTE Graduate Research Assistantship may enroll for 48 credit hours per year, and must enroll for at least 12 credit hours each term.

Graduate research assistants are entitled to two weeks vacation per year. The vacation should be scheduled during a period that interferes least with the research program. Graduate research assistants should consult with their major professor in arranging vacation schedules.

It is important to recognize that Graduate School is a unique opportunity for educational, professional, scientific, and personal growth. As such, to fully benefit from this experience, the assistantship should not be viewed as a typical job for set hours for work. Rather, the greater the effort, the greater the long-term benefit for the student.

H. Department Committees

Graduate students are expected to participate on committees to which they are assigned by the Associate Soil Science Department Head. Committees in the Department with graduate student members include:

1. Curriculum
2. Seminar
3. Facilities Planning and Use
4. Outreach
5. Computer Use
6. Graduate Studies Committee

I. Checking Out

At the end of the study programs, graduate students are responsible for cleaning their laboratory area, throwing away samples no longer needed and returning equipment and supplies. They are also responsible to clean up files on the computer network and other departmental computers they have used. It is important to leave electronic copies of your thesis and figure files on a zip disk. This should only include the files of the final thesis. This can greatly assist your major professor in subsequent publishing of your work in journals.