Department of Biological Sciences

Resources

New Employee Orientation

Welcome to the Department of Biological Sciences.  This information is designed to help you better understand the Department, the services it provides, and who to contact when you have a question. 

Our address is:

Purdue University
Department of Biological Sciences
915 W State St
W. Lafayette, IN 47907-2054

The main office phone number is: (765) 494-4408
The general fax number is: (765) 494-0876

I. Departmental Contacts

Richard Kuhn - Department Head
Jeffery Lucas - Associate Department Head, Undergraduate Affairs
Peter Hollenbeck - Associate Department Head, Research/Graduate Affairs
Claudio Aguilar - Assistant Department Head


Bruce Fuller - Senior Design Engineer / Information Technology Manager
Steven Hunter - IT Coordinator
Terry Combs - Software Support Specialist
Eric Hassenplug – Database and Application Administrator
Jason Sheridan – Computer Support Specialist


Russell Logsdon - Facilities Manager
John Bowman - Maintenance Staff Supervisor
Rebecca Fulk – VISA Liaison, TA Assignments
Arlene Robbins - Schedule Deputy


Business Office:
Dave Truett - Business Office Manager
Lynn Jacobs - Monthly Payroll, Departmental Credit Cards, PRF Credit Cards, Fellowships, Departmental Funds Administration
Jennifer Whited - Travel, Property Management, and Proposal Preparation and Research Administration.
Christine Richter - Departmental Credit Cards and Proposal Preparation and Research Administration.

There are two websites you can use to locate individuals on campus.  To locate Biology Department Staff, you can use the Biology Directory at http://www.biology.purdue.edu/people/index.htm.  To locate other staff on campus, you can use the Purdue Directory at https://www.itap.purdue.edu/directory/. 

II. Key Request

To obtain keys for the different locations that you will need access to, please get a key request card from the Main Office, Room 1-118. After you fill out the card, have it signed by the person that controls the room. Take the card to the Mail Room (G-107) and place in the In Coming Mail Box, and the request will be signed and submitted. The request takes a couple of days to be completed and the keys can be picked up in Lilly Stores (G-104).

III. Copy Codes

Copy Codes are needed to use any of the copiers in the department.  To obtain a copy code, please contact Jennifer Whited in the Business Office and let her know what account number to apply the charges to and to which copier you would like it programmed.  She will assign the copy code and let you know when she has programmed it into the applicable copy machine. 

IV. MERS Numbers

A MERS number is a code that is needed to make long-distance phone calls. If you will need a MERS number, please contact the Business Office. 

V. Mailing

If you will be mailing items for business purposes, you may request a mail bar code master that you can attach to your envelopes/packages. Please contact the Business Office and a request will be submitted. Once you receive the master mail bar code, please make multiple copies and use the copies to attach to your mailings. Outgoing mail can be mailed in the 300 corridor on the first floor. In addition, outgoing mail can be placed in the bin to the right as you enter Room G-107.

VI. Computer Usage Policy

The department has recently adopted a comprehensive policy for computer usage. This policy covers all of the major security, privacy and ethical issues that arise from our broad use of and dependence on these machines. The policy is available on-line at: http://www.biology.purdue.edu/Resources/computerusage.html.

VII. Poster Printer Policy

The department has a printer available for making posters.  It is operated by our IT staff.  There are guidelines in place for using this printer and they are found at http://www.biology.purdue.edu/Resources/posterprinting.html.  If you have any questions about this printer or the guidelines, or if you have any feedback, please send us an email (posters@bio.purdue.edu, 48119). 

VIII. Communal Equipment Policy

The Biological Sciences Dept maintains a range of communal equipment for the benefit of all labs. This includes autoclaves, ice machines, film processors, etc. In order that we can all use this equipment when we need it, please remember the following policies: FIRST: If the equipment is not working, please contact John Bowman (41841). Do not try and fix the equipment yourself. SECOND: When you have finished using the equipment, leave it in better shape than you found it. THIRD: There is a sign up sheet near all equipment, please sign in. FOURTH: If you are not trained on how to use a piece of equipment, find someone to train you before using it.

IX. Safety/OSHA Guidelines and Compliance

If you will be working with chemicals in your position in the Department, you are required to read and understand the “Chemical Hygiene Plan and Hazardous Materials Safety Manual.”  This is available online at www.purdue.edu/REM.  Once you are at that site, please click on Booklets and Guidelines and scroll down to this manual.  Once you have read that document, please sign the awareness certification form that was included in your new-hire paperwork from the Business Office.  After you sign the form, please turn it in to the Business Office.

If in addition you will be working with radioactive materials or biohazardous agents please read the manual (Radiation Safety Manual and Biological Safety Manual) covering this information at the above website.

X. Scheduling Conference Rooms

If you would like to schedule a Biology conference room it can be done on the web at: http://www.bio.purdue.edu/resources/calendar/ . If you would like to schedule a room elsewhere on campus, go to the Schedules and Space website at https://roomschedule.mypurdue.purdue.edu/Timetabling/login.jsp.

XI. Purchasing

There are different types of purchasing methods, and the method to use depends on the type of item you are purchasing. The Business Office must approve all purchase orders prior to ordering. If you are purchasing an item from Lilly Stores, or any other Purdue Store, use a form 100, available at the stores location. If you are purchasing an item from an outside source, use a form 12, available in the Business Office or on the Purchasing Website at http://www2.itap.purdue.edu/BS/Business_Form s/Depart_forms.cfm?department=Purchasing+S ervices&submit=Submit (select Form “Purchasing Requisition). If you would like to use a local source, such as Target, Wal-Mart, etc., you can check out a departmental credit card from the Business Office. The credit card has a transaction limit of $250. If you need to purchase something that costs more than that, the Lilly Procurement Center (LPC) has a credit card with a transaction limit of $2,500. If you will be using the credit card from LPC, you will need to fill out a form 12 and have it signed by the Business Office prior to checking out the card. The LPC website is http://www.purdue.edu/universitystores/lilly/Welcome.html

XII. Travel on University Business

When traveling on University Business, a Travel Authorization Form 17 must be completed at least two weeks prior to the date of travel. If you are not able to complete the form within two weeks of travel, a reason for late filing is required. You can obtain a travel form 17 from the Travel Department website:. A form 17 is used for estimating the costs of your trip, but is also needed if you will not be requesting any reimbursement once you return. Once you complete and sign the travel form 17, please bring it to the Business Office. From there, it will be forwarded for any other necessary signatures. Also note that we are able to prepay airfare and registration costs on the departmental credit card. When you return from your trip, if you will be requesting reimbursement, please fill out a Travel Reimbursement Form 25. This form is also available at the above website.” Original receipts must be turned in with travel reimbursement requests. Once you complete your form 25, please turn it in to the Business Office for review. The Business Office will submit this form once it is complete. Reimbursements must be requested within 120 days of the travel. If a reimbursement is requested after that time, a justification must be included as to the reason for late filing. If you have direct deposit for your payroll, you will receive your reimbursement the same way. If you do not have direct deposit, a check will be sent to the department.

XIII. Faculty and Locations

The department is located in 6 different locations on campus in addition to Lilly Hall: Hansen, Wetherill, Brown, Life Sciences Ranges (the greenhouses), Life Science Animal Building and Biochemistry. The majority of the faculty are located in Lilly Hall. The “Frequently Called Telephone Numbers” provides room numbers and phone numbers for the faculty and a portion of the staff. This listed is updated periodically and copies are distributed.

XIV. Vacation and Sick Leave

Depending on your classification the number of days that you earn for vacation, sick leave, and personal days will vary. Please talk to your supervisor or to Lynn Jacobs in the Business Office. For all time off, whether it is sick leave, vacation, or personal days, Form 33Absence must be filled out. This form can be found at:  http://www.biology.purdue.edu/resources/businessforms.htm.