BIOL 1021/1031 – Lab Aprons and Shoes Policy

The Safety Office now requires that students wear aprons in lab for protection when certain chemicals are used.  Also, appropriate footwear is now always required in lab.  The aprons are available for purchase for $2 at the Scientific Supply Store (211 SCL, the counter down the hall from the lab room), which is open 8-4:30 M-F.  Aprons are available for purchase now.  If you have in your possession one of these aprons from another class, or a lab coat, that will be fine to use – but you must have it available to bring to lab with you (meaning that your lab apron for a chemistry lab that stays there won’t do you any good, and you won’t be allowed to go to the chemistry lab and get your apron from there).

Appropriate footwear means NO OPEN-TOED SHOES (no sandals, etc.).  Also, even cloth shoes alone are not allowed, but there are "booties" that you can get to cover your cloth shoes (they are available for purchase at the Scientific Supply Store for about $1).  EVEN WITH THE BOOTIES, OPEN-TOES SHOES ARE NOT ALLOWED.

This takes effect now (meaning come prepared with an apron and appropriate footwear for the rest of the labs this semester).

As a result of this requirement, here are some rules for lab

1.      A student must have an apron to participate in many of the labs, and must always have on appropriate footwear.  Rather than having you try to remember which labs you need an apron for and which ones you don't, BRING YOUR APRON TO EVERY LAB, and ALWAYS HAVE APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR.

2.      If a student does not have on appropriate footwear or does not have an apron for a lab where it is needed, he/she:

·        will be allowed to take the entrance quiz

·        will be allowed to listen to the intro lecture

·        will be kicked out of the room after the intro lecture

·        will be allowed to return to that lab ONLY IF he/she procures an apron and appropriate footwear

·        will NOT be allowed to do any lab activities, including exit activities or quizzes, unless he/she returns with an apron and appropriate footwear

Yes, this means that NOT HAVING AN APRON OR APPROPRIATE FOOTWEAR WILL COST YOU LAB POINTS.

3.      Any GTA who violates this policy and lets students by with breaking the rules is in danger of losing his/her job.  Therefore, don't even think about trying to put your GTA in that position.  Arguing with the GTA about the policy, including failure to leave the room when instructed, is a violation of the Auburn University Classroom Behavior Policy (http://www.auburn.edu/administration/governance/senate/behavior_policy_may03.htm), and charges under that policy will be pursued if it is violated.  Don't risk getting yourself expelled from Auburn University over a $2 lab apron.

The safety office will be conducting random inspections, and violations will result in serious consequences for TAs and for the department, so we are forced to treat this very seriously.  Therefore, you must take it seriously as well.