Welcome (and welcome back for some of you) to GWU's Forensic Science Program. For those of you who will be using the teaching laboratory this semester (that will probably include most of you), here are some important notices:

LAB HOURS -- SPRING SEMESTER 2009
M: 12:00PM to 9:00PM

T: 12:00PM to 9:00PM

W: 12:00PM to 8:00PM

R: 11:00AM to 9:00PM

F: 11:00AM to 6:00PM

If the lab hours need to be modified, a MSG will be posted via LISTSERV as soon as possible. Please note that the lab is NOT open on weekends, holidays,  breaks (January 19th and 20th, February 16th or March 16th - 20th) or during Chemistry and Forensic Biology labs. The last day of lab is concurrent with the last day of classes Wednesday, April 29, 2009.

**SCHEDULING AN APPOINTMENT**
A MINIMUM 24 HOUR notice is a MUST for scheduling lab appointments! Simply email the GTA address (forensicsTA@gmail.com) with:

• your name
• the related class
• the desired date & time
• the lab experiments needing completion.

If you would like to sign up for an appointment on a Monday, please make all efforts to email us by Thursday evening.

The advanced notice and required information is necessary for three main reasons:
1) It prevents crowding in the lab
2) It allows us time to prepare labs, equipment, or reagents (if necessary)
3) Courses will be reserving lab space throughout the semester; therefore, the lab will be closed to students not in that course.

*Please be aware that if you fail to request an appointment, using the guidelines above, the GTAs can & will reserve the right to deny a student lab access* This applies especially if the lab is already occupied by several students. You will be sent a confirmation email if your requested date/time is available. If your requested date/time is unavailable, we will notify you and ask you to choose another date/time.

LAB SAFETY
ALL students will need to read and sign a Lab Safety form (found in the teaching lab, available next week) BEFORE using the lab.  Students will also need to complete the online safety course before using the lab. This can be found at http://www.gwu.edu/~riskmgnt/traininghelp.cfm . Students will need to complete the Workshop labeled "Laboratory Safety Training for Undergraduate Students". BE SURE TO PRINT THE PAGE WITH YOUR SCORE!! This is our only way to keep track of who successfully passed the quiz.   Use Netscape Browser for best results.

**RETURNING STUDENTS: Lab safety certifications are valid for one year. If your lab safety certification has expired, you will need to re-take the online course and hand in the final score from your quiz to the TA's before you will be allowed to use the lab.**


GENERAL RULES
1) NO open-toed shoes or sandals, shorts, skirts, or sleeveless clothing is to be worn while working in the lab;
2) Absolutely NO food or drink is allowed in the lab;
3) Protective gear (gloves, lab coats, goggles) will be worn while working in the lab;
4) Students will leave their work space clean and return tools/instruments/supplies to the designated area(s); and
5) Students will use the appropriate containers for dispose of waste (glass, paper, biohazard/chemical)


We look forward to seeing and assisting you in the lab this semester.

Sabrina Walborn

Becky

Mary

*NOTE: a MINIMUM OF 24 HOURS NOTICE is a MUST for scheduling lab appointments!