The following policies and guidelines are to be followed in the lab. Failure to adhere to these policies and procedures will result in action from the University up to a permanent ban from the lab space.

General Rules

• The lab is available for general use during regular lab hours. During class hours which coincide with the regular lab hours, classes have first priority, but students can use any open bay or the projects room. However, during class hours, please keep voices down and do not be disruptive. The lab is NOT available outside of the regular hours, except for extended hours, scheduled classes, and events. You must be an active student, faculty, or staff of the University and have your PennCard to access the lab during extended hours, and must sign-in and sign-out with staff on duty.
  
  

• In general, the lab can be used for group meetings, as a study space, personal activities, etc. as long as activities follow these rules and are not disruptive to other lab users. Disruptive or destructive behavior will result in being removed from the lab and access to the lab will be revoked.
  
  

• The lab space, equipment, and software are for student educational use only, whether through coursework or independent learning, exploration, and development. The facilities may NOT be used for research.
  
  

• If you need specific equipment, supplies or procedure/protocol information, find them using the Equipment & Inventory link on this website. Make sure to review all of the literature available on the website. If you are unsure about anything, contact the Lab Staff. Note that lab sessions may not allow the use of equipment or supplies beyond those provided - consult your instructor, TA, or Lab Staff if you are unsure.
  
  

• Return all equipment back to where it was taken from. If you would like equipment to be relocated for the purposes of a project for more than one day, obtain permission from the lab staff and return the equipment to the original location(s) after use. If you use a piece of equipment after another student, YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE for returning the equipment to its correct location. You can find its location by using the Full Inventory with Locations link on the website.

  • We have pictures posted in the lab of what all areas in the lab are supposed to look like. If you use any equipment or lab bench, YOU are responsible for returning the area to the state depicted in the photo.
    
    

  • Clean up your area or equipment after you are finished with your work. Everything should be returned just as it was when you arrived. Clean up information is available here.
    
    

• The lab does NOT provide storage space for any student materials. Specific classes have cubbies available in the main entrance of the lab, and lockers are available outside of the lab for senior design. These senior design lockers must be reserved by providing the lab staff with your locker number choice and using your own lock.
  
  

• Rooms 211 & 214 are off-limits.

  • If items in these rooms are needed, please ask the lab staff. Most items from the office (211) can be borrowed with a valid PennCard for students in authorized classes and programs. Items not returned when required will result in an incomplete, lower grade, or other penalty.
    
    

  • You should not loiter outside of these spaces. If students need to interact with the staff in the room, it should be done in a quick and efficient manner, so you do not hinder other students from interacting with the staff
    
    

• You should direct all of your questions regarding the lab to staff members who are actively on duty. That is any Full Time Staff member (during Regular Hours) or any Student Employee wearing a green lanyard.
  
  

• Do not wait until a supply of materials is depleted before asking the staff to place an order for more. If supplies are dwindling, inform the lab staff immediately. There is a turnaround time of at least five (5) days for all orders. This applies to the CO2 tanks as well. Keep an eye on tank and line pressure.
  
  

• All bags and coats MUST be stored in the cubbies under your lab bench. Aisles must be kept clear.
  
  

• You MUST push in and return all stools and chairs to their proper location after using them.
  
  

• You cannot remove any of the equipment allocated at each station in the lab.  
  
  

Lab Safety

• Appropriate clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) must be worn as described in this page, depending upon what you are doing in the lab. Closed-toed and closed-heeled footwear MUST be worn at all times while inside the laboratory. If necessary, bring a pair to change with you. All references to "disposable gloves" refer to disposable nitrile gloves provided at the entrance to the lab. All references to "lab coats" refer to 100% cotton lab coats provided in the lab. All references to "safety glasses" refer to those provided at the entrance to the lab (standard reading/ prescription glasses do not meet this requirement). Failure to adhere to the lab's clothing and PPE requirements will require that you leave the laboratory or cease working on the specific project.
  
  

  1. Disposable gloves, safety glasses, lab coat & long pants MUST be worn when dealing with chemicals, animal parts, or biologic material.
     
     

  2. Tank tops, exposed shoulders, and shorts are only permitted when students are ONLY working on a computer station. If students are working with anything other than the computer, these items are not permitted.  If necessary bring something you can change into with you. 
     
     

  3. When drilling, using a saw or Dremel,  safety glasses must be worn.
     
     

  4. When dealing with electrophysiological signals, appropriate safety procedures MUST be followed. See details here.
     
     

  5. When soldering, safety glasses and lab coat must be worn. Please follow along with our Soldering Safety and Procedures Guide found here
     
     

• All work using chemicals or biological materials (eg. cells and enzymes) MUST be discussed and approved by the Lab Director before work can begin.
  
  

• Gloves MUST BE REMOVED when using computers (ie. touching keyboards and computer mice) and other personal electronics to avoid contamination. If you do contaminate any piece of electronics, you should power down the device and sanitize with the provided 70 % Isopropanol provided at each bench. If you have any further questions, please contact lab staff.

• Eating and drinking are strictly prohibited in the laboratory, with the exception of Rooms 211 and 214. All food must be stored in a bag and placed in the spaces provided at the entrance to the laboratory.
  
  

• All glassware and plasticware must be labeled using labeling tape. The exceptions are the tubes and cuvettes, all of which are disposable.
  
  

• Dispose of all supplies and materials in appropriately marked areas or as directed by the Laboratory Staff. If you are unsure of where something is to be disposed, ask the Lab Staff. Details on disposal can be found here.
  
  

• In case of broken glass, please contact the Lab Staff immediately. Do not attempt to clean it up yourself.
  
  

Code of Conduct

• Diversity, inclusion, and belonging are all core values of this lab. All participants in this lab deserve to and should expect to be treated with respect by other members of the community regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexuality, religious beliefs, physical or mental health status, or socioeconomic status. This lab should be a space where everyone feels welcome and safe. In order to facilitate a welcoming environment, students in this lab are expected to:

  • Exercise consideration and respect in their speech and actions.
    
    

  • Attempt collaboration and consideration, including listening to opposing perspectives and authentically and respectfully raising concerns, before conflict occurs.
    
    

  • Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
    
    

  • Never use their position in another class to harass or bully another student.
    
    

• All members of the lab community are expected to be familiar with and abide by the University’s guidelines on general conduct and sexual harassment.
  
  

• Students should also be familiar with other University guidelines regarding personal conduct.

In case of Emergency

• In case of emergency, contact the Laboratory Staff, the Course Instructor or a Teaching Assistant immediately. In the case of chemical contact, cut, or puncture, flush the affected area for 15 minutes with soap and water. If splashed in eyes, use emergency eyewash. Hold both eyes open and flush for 15 minutes. Students must follow the emergency response procedures stated on the Emergency Response instructions poster, which shall be posted in the lab. Emergency procedures poster can be downloaded from our website at: https://ehrs.upenn.edu/emergency-info.

Miscellaneous

Intellectual Property (IP) Note: In general, inventions made by students remain the property of the student even when using this laboratory space, generally available material in the lab, and basic help from the lab staff. Students are encouraged to disclose their work early on with the Penn Center for Innovation (PCI) to maintain their property and request a waiver of ownership from the university. Details of Penn's IP policies can be found here; students should pay special attention to 2.1.2 - 2.1.4.