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College of Agriculture >Plant Growth
Center
College of Agriculture &
Montana
Agricultural Experiment Station
PGC Policy Manual
Contents
Introduction
Policy outlined
in this manual was developed to allow the efficient and effective
use of the PGC while maintaining the integrity of the facility.
The complexity and sophistication of the facility and the nature
of research scientists has dictated the need for much of the policy
contained in this manual. As experience in using and managing the
facility is gained, policy will be modified to improve the efficiency
and effectiveness of the use of the PGC. The management committee
requests your cooperation in applying this policy as well as sincerely
solicits your suggestions and constructive criticisms.
The management
of the facility will be a combined effort of the PGC management
committee and the Dean of the College of Agriculture. The PGC management
committee is comprised of seven appointed faculty members from departments
involved in biological and agricultural science research, the Dean
of the College of Agriculture, and the PGC Manager.
The PGC is in
compliance with the Environmental Protection Agency's Worker Protection
Standards. All users of the facility must have a valid WPS training
card or Montana Department of Agriculture Pesticide Applicator's
License in their procession. The PGC Manager will provide WPS training
upon request.
Research
Space
Assignment
Assignment
of specific areas of the various types of PGC space will be made
for a specific time interval, at the end of which use of that space
must be relinquished and the space vacated. There will be no permanent
assignments of space. Length of assignments will vary based on the
character of individual experiments. Unless reassigned in response
to a new proposal, space not vacated on schedule will be cleared
and the unauthorized material contained therein will be disposed
of. An extension can be obtained only by submission of a new PGC
use proposal at least one month in advance of the original termination
date. There will be no sub-letting of PGC space assigned to faculty.
Unused or unneeded space reverts back to PGC control. Under no circumstances
may modifications be made to any part of the PGC. Space will not
be assigned to researchers in arrears on use or cleaning fees.
Research
Facilities
Space
and facility assignments for research will be made in response to
PGC use proposals submitted on PGC use proposal forms available
in the office of the Dean of the College of Agriculture. The PGC
Management Committee will act on each proposal within two weeks
of its receipt in the office of the Dean. Space and facilities will
then be assigned for approved proposals according to application
date and availability of space. Upon approval of each space request
the researcher will receive a notice of approval.
Maintenance
Fee
Use of all PGC
space and facilities for research activities will be on a prepaid
fee basis according to the attached fee schedule. Fees increase
4% per biennium (on odd number years). Research faculty are advised
to include such fees in the budgets of grant proposals and in the
budget planning process for continuing research activities such
as MAES "Station projects," etc.
Greenhouse
Units
In addition
to above stated policy, space assignment in greenhouse units will
include the following: On-going use in a given unit has priority
over proposed use of additional vacant space in that unit in the
case of incompatibility of photoperiod, temperature, disease, etc.
Users assigned partial space in a unit are not free to pick and
choose their area nor are they free to rotate their activity from
one area to another within the unit. However, their desires, if
made known, will be taken into consideration.
Growth
Chambers and Growth Rooms
In addition
to policy stated above, growth chamber installment and use assignment
will be in accordance with the following:
Installation
Space
Placement of
growth chambers in the PGC will be by faculty request for such space
to the PGC management committee. Approval will depend on availability
of space and an inspection of the growth chamber. The procurer is
responsible for all installation charges.
Units
Owned by the PGC
These units
will remain under jurisdiction of the PGC management committee and
will be assigned for use based on research proposals as described
above.
Units
Owned by G&C and Others
Used growth
chambers previously installed elsewhere and in functioning condition
will come under the jurisdiction of the PGC management committee;
however, the owner will have priority in use assignment. Owner and
non-owner users will be assessed use fees according to the attached
schedule. Procurers are responsible for all installation charges.
New growth chambers,
under warranty, will come under the jurisdiction of the PGC management
committee; however, the owner has priority in use assignment. The
owner will not be assessed a use fee during the first three years.
Use fees will be assessed for non-owner users from the outset and
for owner users after the unit is three years old. Procurers are
responsible for all installation charges.
Conservatory
The conservatory
will be managed by the PGC Management Committee. Suggestions for
this space are welcome and can be transmitted to the PGC Management
Committee via the Office of the Dean of the College of Agriculture.
Special
Use Support Facilities
Certain facilities
were designed for very special uses and, hence, their assignment
will be restricted to researchers who submit proposals for use consistent
with the designed use of that facility. These facilities will remain
under jurisdiction of the PGC Committee and their use will be assigned
as described below. Additional policy is as follows:
Potato
Improvement Laboratories
These facilities,
designed for research and other activities in support of the seed
potato industry, will remain under control of the PGC Management
Committee. Space assignment therein will be made by the PGC Management
Committee coordinating with the Montana Potato Improvement Association
representative in response to PGC use proposals.
Weeds
Laboratory
This facility
is for support of PGC research and will remain in control of the
PGC Management Committee. Use and access will be through the Land
Resources and Environmental Sciences (LRES) Department Head by previous
arrangement only. Additional use conditions are stated elsewhere
in this manual.
Insect
Quarantine Laboratory and Plant Disease Isolation Units
These facilities
are for support of PGC research and will remain in control of the
PGC Management Committee. Insect Quarantine Lab use assignment will
be made in response to the Insect Quarantine and Isolation Management
Committee (IQIMC). IQIMC will advise the PGC Management Committee
on space requests. The IQIMC is comprised of the quarantine officer,
Entomology Research Lab Head, and the PGC Manager. Consult the Insect
Quarantine Policy and Procedure Manual for additional information.
Non-Assigned
PGC Support Facilities
The facilities
listed below are for general support of PGC research and will remain
under control of the PGC Management committee. Additional use conditions
are stated elsewhere in this manual.
Application
Laboratory
Plant Drying and Grinding Rooms
Soil Drying and Grinding Rooms
Weighing Room
Plant Processing Room
Growth Media Handling and Processing Area
Storage
Facilities
Cages
and Lockers
There
will be no permanent or long-term assignment of space in the cages.
Space in the cages will be assigned in conjunction with space assignment
in greenhouse, growth rooms and growth chambers. Assignment of space
in cages will be limited to the duration of the associated space
assignment in one of the plant growth facilities.
Indoor
Soil/Growth Media Bins
These
storage bins will remain under control of the PGC Management Committee
and are for use by the PGC Manager only. Provision of potting soil
and artificial growth media are addressed elsewhere in this manual.
Outdoor
Soil Storage
These
storage bins will remain under control of the PGC Management Committee.
Assignment of space is by PGC use proposals as described above.
Storage only of benchmark soils and soils that are the subjects
of research are allowed.
Chemical
Storage Rooms
These
storage rooms will remain under control of the PGC Management Committee.
Use of both the standard chemical storage room and toxic chemical
room will be coordinated by the PGC Manager. Access to and use of
these rooms will be through the PGC Manager by previous arrangement
only. Additional use conditions are stated elsewhere in this manual.
Pot
Storage
The pot
storage rooms will remain under control of the PGC Management Committee.
No space in these rooms will be assigned to individual faculty.
Policy on provision of pots, flats, etc., are addressed elsewhere
in this manual.
Plant
Material Storage
These
rooms will remain under control of the PGC Management Committee.
There is one room with a cool, moist environment and one room with
an ambient environment. Additional use conditions are stated elsewhere
in this manual. Plant material should be stored in rodent proof
containers.
Seed
Storage
This room
will remain under control of the PGC Management Committee. Additional
use conditions are stated elsewhere in this manual.
Cabinets
(Plant Processing)
The locking
cabinets in the plant processing area will remain under control
of the PGC Manager.
Open
Storage Rooms
These
rooms will remain under control of the PGC Management Committee.
They are not for common use.
Mechanical
- Electrical - Custodial Rooms
These
rooms will remain under the control of Facilities Services. Generally,
they are off limits to all PGC users.
Office
and Shop
The
PGC office, connecting supply room and shop will remain under control
of the PGC Management Committee. This office complex is for use
only by the PGC Manager and staff.
Schedule
of Use Fees
In order to
generate funds for maintaining greenhouses, growth chambers, and
growth rooms, users will be charged a monthly fee based on the amount
of square footage used. Fees will be collected at the assignment
of the space for the project. In addition to maintenance, funds
will be used to purchase soil, pots, light bulbs, etc. and for student
labor.
Square footage
charges and/or flat fees per month will apply to glasshouse ranges,
growth chambers, growth rooms, storage cabinets and lockers. The
following fee schedule will increase 4% per year.
Glasshouse ranges
- $0.28/sq ft/month
Growth chambers
- $2.00/sq ft/month
Growth rooms
- $1.82/sq ft/month
Plant Pathology
Isolation Units - $0.78/sq ft/month
Policies regarding growth chambers and growth rooms:
PGC owned chambers
and rooms have no priority use stipulations.
G &
C and other agency owned:
New growth chambers
and growth rooms (not previously used or currently under warranty)
have priority use by owner. No user fees are charged to owner for
first three years from date of installation and thereafter owner
will be subject to square footage charges upon his/her use of the
growth chamber. Users of growth chambers and rooms, other than owners,
will be charged according to the square footage of growth space
used.
Used growth
chambers and growth rooms (previously used) have priority use by
owner. Square footage charges applied immediately to all users of
growth chambers, including owner. Procurers of growth chambers and
rooms are responsible for all installation charges.
Storage
-Wire cages
$5.20 per month
Cleaning
of vacated space/facility/pots
$50 per incident
if cleaned by PGC staff.
General
PGC Operating Rules
The PGC will be periodically inspected by the management committee
for rule compliance.
The PGC is designated
as a "no smoking" facility.
These facilities
are to be used only in support of PGC Research. The PGC is not to
be used as a replacement of laboratory, service, etc. facilities
in other buildings. Material and equipment from field research is
not to be brought into the PGC for processing and/or storage.
Under no circumstances
may modifications be made to any part of the PGC.
Additional
Operating Rules:
The PGC Manager
is responsible for overall operations, application of policies and
training of project leader in use of the facilities.
Project leaders
are responsible for training their employees, graduate students
and anyone working for them in the proper use of greenhouse procedures
and policies and is responsible for their actions.
Project leaders
are responsible to see that their workers clean all areas in which
they work. Failure to follow this policy will be grounds for rejection
of space assignment. Equipment will be provided for sweeping and
washing.
Use your space
effectively. Failure to use space effectively will be grounds for
reassignment.
Coordinate with
the PGC Manager in returning all equipment and other general use
items, cleaned, to their proper place when you are finished with
their use.
The PGC Manager
will provide a general potting mix for all assigned users. Specific
plant growth medium can be prepared by the researcher from the materials
provided by PGC.
The PGC Manager
will provide all pots and flats for use in the facility. Any specialized
pots or containers must be provided by the researcher with the approval
of the PGC Manager.
All materials
and equipment brought into the PGC for storage must be used in the
facility.
All insect and
disease control will be done by the PGC Manager or under his control.
The PGC Manager will coordinate all control activities with the
project leader.
When sharing
growth facility space, individual researchers will not interfere
with other studies being conducted in the facility; this includes
watering, lighting, temperature control, and other environmental
factors.
All plant materials
will be watered and tended by the PGC user.
Keep experimental
material weed-free and dispose of weeds in a garbage can, NOT UNDER
BENCHES.
The temperature
and light conditions for each greenhouse section will be set for
the researcher by the PGC Manager.
All teaching
projects in the greenhouses must be identified as follows: a) name
of project leader; and b) phone number. Labels will be provided
by the PGC Manager. If plant materials are identified, they will
not be moved or disposed of without consultation with the instructor.
Unlabeled material will be disposed of immediately.
Janitorial service
will be provided in the laboratories, storage areas, and student
study/lounge; however, each instructor is responsible for leaving
the facilities in a clean and presentable condition after each lab
and prior to another scheduled class. The instructor is also responsible
for keeping the greenhouse spaces clean during use and upon termination
of the activities.
Policies
for Non-Assigned PGC Support Areas
Soil/Potting Room:
Plant growth
media provided by the PGC will include a standard greenhouse medium
consisting of peat, loam soil, and sand free of chemical contaminants
(1:1:1 by volume). Peat, and a common commercial growing medium
(Sunshine mix) will be provided in bags. Pasteurized media will
be available only in the soil carts. Pasteurizing will be carried
out by the PGC staff.
Pots and flats
will be provided by the PGC Manager.
Researchers
are responsible for filling plant growth containers with soil, planting,
and placing their materials into their assigned space.
Potting will
be done in designated potting areas. Leftover and spilled soil will
be swept up and disposed of in trash receptacles, never returned
to the soil bins or soil carts, and never washed down the greenhouse
drains. Soil preparation and potting areas will be cleaned immediately
after each use. Pasteurized soil must not be contaminated by the
addition of non-pasteurized soil, floor sweepings, nor by dirty
implements.
Plant
and Soil Analysis Area:
Facilities for
analysis of PGC plant materials and soil (growing media) are provided
in the PGC. These include grinders, balances, and work surfaces.
These are shared facilities; authorization and time for their use
must be arranged for with the PGC Manager. No one is allowed to
use these facilities and equipment until properly trained in their
operation. Other specialized research equipment (leaf area meters,
pH meters, conductivity bridges, etc.) may be brought in and used
on a day-to-day basis. Do not leave research equipment unattended
or stored in this area.
Plant material
will be analyzed in the plant area and soil will be analyzed in
the soil area. That is, soil will not be ground in the plant grinders
nor will it be dried in the plant drying area, the same holds true
for plant material. Keep all equipment and work surfaces clean.
Contamination of other experiments must be avoided.
Only plant material
and soils from PGC research may be analyzed in this area.
Use
of Hazardous, Toxic and Radioactive Materials:
All state and
federal guidelines regarding hazardous and radioactive materials
will be followed. These materials will be used in a manner to insure
the safety of others and such that they will have no influence on
other research. These materials may be stored only in the area specified
for toxic chemical storage. These storage areas are under the control
of the PGC Manager.
Contaminated
Plant and Soil Disposal:
Soils and plant
material treated with hazardous or radioactive compounds are to
be properly labeled and placed in receptacles in the hazardous chemical
storage area. The project leader is responsible for determining
safe and proper disposal procedures and seeing that they are carried
out with dispatch. The PGC Manager is to be notified of disposal
of any such material and will arrange for their removal from the
PGC.
Experiment
Termination:
Researchers
will be notified by the PGC Manager one month before their allotted
time is up. Upon termination of each experiment the project leader
is responsible for seeing that all plant material, soil, and containers
are removed from the growth area, cleaned and returned for storage
or disposed of in appropriate receptacles.
If researchers
do not vacate and clean their area when required, user fees will
continue to be charged. If the PGC staff is required to clean the
area an additional $50 cleaning fee will be charged.
Weed
Lab and Herbicide Application Room:
It is expected
that the majority use of these facilities will be by faculty with
primary research responsibilities in the weed science discipline.
However, other faculty with need of such facilities may request
their use. Specific use policies for activities in these rooms will
be developed by the PGC management committee in consultation with
the Weed Science Faculty. These policies are not to contradict nor
lead to violations of other PGC policies.
The immediate
administrator for this area will be the head of the LRES Department.
Authorization and time for its use will be arranged through this
administrator.
Materials removed
from these labs are to be in closed containers and handled with
care to avoid any influence on other research.
Potato
Improvement Laboratories:
Policies for
activities within these rooms will be determined by the PGC management
committee in consultation with the designated Potato Lab representative.
These policies are not to contradict or lead to violations of other
PGC policies.
Materials removed
from these labs are to be handled with care to avoid any influence
on other research.
Cold-Wet
Storage:
Space will be
allocated for a limited time for experiments needing to maintain
plants or to provide cool (>0 C) treatments for experiments.
Requests for space will utilize standard PGC use proposal format.
As the environment will favor growth and survival of certain pathogens
cleanliness will be strictly enforced. Pathogens will not be intentionally
introduced into the general room environment.
Storage
Cages and Lockers:
Only supplies
and equipment used in direct support of ongoing PGC research may
be stored in these facilities. Cages and lockers must be vacated,
cleaned and keys returned to the PGC Manager at the termination
of research activity. If the PGC staff is required to empty and
clean these facilities, a $50 cleaning fee will be charged.
Toxic
Chemical Storage Room:
Only chemicals
being used in direct support of ongoing PGC research may be stored
in this room. All pesticides, radioactive isotopes, carcinogens,
volatile and flammable chemicals that qualify for PGC storage must
be stored in this room. All containers must be sealed and labeled
for content and ownership. Chemicals are not to be stored in lockers
and cages.
Non-Toxic
Chemical Room:
Only chemicals
that do not pose a hazard under normal and proper use and that are
being used in direct support of ongoing PGC research may be stored
in this room. All containers must be sealed and labeled for content
and ownership. Chemicals are not to be stored in lockers and cages.
Seed
Storage:
Store only seed
materials in this room which will be used in the PGC. Each container
of seed should be identified by name and date stored. Seed going
into storage must be free of insects. Seed must be at a safe moisture
content for storage (12-13%). Project leaders are responsible for
keeping this room clean. Any spilled seed must be cleaned up immediately.
Application
Room:
No pesticides
will be applied in this room. The project leader is responsible
for operating the application equipment and clean-up of the room
and equipment. Plant or seed materials must not be moved to growth
facilities until they are completely dry.
Services
Provided by PGC Staff
Monitor user compliance to PGC policies and report discrepancies
to the PGC management committee and Dean of the College of Agriculture.
Insect and disease
control coordination.
Notify project
leaders prior to space assignment termination.
Train faculty
in proper use of PGC facilities.
Monitor condition
of facilities and equipment and arrange for repair when necessary.
Procure, prepare
and pasteurize plant growth media, soil, and sand.
Daily clean-up
of areas not cared for by the physical plant custodians. This does
not include clean-up identified as the responsibility of researchers
elsewhere in the PGC policies.
Maintain inventory
of current projects.
Set all environmental
controls.
Maintain accurate
records of all use assignments, chemical treatments of space and
other information pertinent to the management of the PGC.
Key
Assignment
Keys issued will be for specific space assigned and only for the
duration of the space assignment. All key assignments must be approved
and monitored by the PGC Manager. Keys will be issued by the University
Police Office. User fees will continue until keys are returned and
a copy of the key receipt given to the manager. Researchers are
responsible for costs of re keying necessitated by their failure
to return keys.
Keys to non-assigned
areas will not be distributed. Access will be through the PGC Manager
by previous arrangement.
Teaching
Users of teaching facilities are expected to follow the General
PGC Operating Rules found previously in this document.
Space
Assignment
Classrooms/Laboratories
(Rooms 210, 211 and 214)
Space assignments
will be made by the Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture
in response to requests from the teaching faculty and in consultation
with the Registrar's Office and PGC Management Committee. Courses
which produce university credits have priority over educational
activities, e.g., professional update, short courses, applicator
licensing workshops or symposia events which do not produce university
credits. Preference will be given to instructors and/or courses
that utilize living plant materials, relate to the plant sciences,
or in some way complement research activities in the PGC. However,
other courses, regardless of subject matter, will be considered
depending upon space availability. Assignments will be reviewed
on a regular basis to insure that optimal and appropriate use is
being made of the space.
Faculty wishing
to teach in these rooms must submit a proposal (available in the
PGC or Dean of Agriculture's office) to request and justify specific
uses of classroom/lab spaces. Proposals must be received by the
Associate Dean at least one academic semester prior to the semester
courses will be taught.
Teaching
Greenhouse (179 L & M)
Space assignments
will be made by the Associate Dean of the College of Agriculture
in response to specific requests from the faculty. Preference will
be giving to individuals utilizing living plant material in their
classes, regardless of whether the courses are taught in the PGC.
Individual problems, and special projects for graduate and undergraduate
students will be considered on a regular and "if space is available"
basis.
Faculty wishing
to use glasshouse space must submit a proposal to request and justify
use of the space six weeks prior to intended start date. Forms are
available from PGC office or Dean of Agriculture's office.
Student
Lounge/Study Area
This area is
considered open, non-assigned, multiple use space. However, on occasion,
special activities may be scheduled in this area that would take
priority over general student use. For example, discussion groups
associated with classes taught in the PGC, receptions for campus
guests and dignitaries, etc. may wish to use this space. Special
use requests should be submitted to the Associate Dean at least
one week in advance of the planned activity.
Use
Fees
Fee charging,
non-resident instruction uses of the classrooms will be charged
$50/day/room.
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