I’ve been
working at UMass Boston now for more than 6 months, but I still have a lot to
learn. I’ve found it somewhat surprising how simple things can trip you up when
starting at a new place of work, so I’ve made a randomly ordered list (I know,
I’m obsessed with lists) comprised of things that might confuse new people. If
every company/University/government office would hand us each a “new employee”
manual that contained the answers to these sorts of questions – I think it
would make things run much more efficiently.
1.
Where
are the pens?
2.
Where
are the other office supplies?
3.
How
do I get set up with email/wifi/etc.?
4.
Where
can I find and get access to the important websites, like:
- HR
- Class schedules and roster
- Blackboard
- Maintenance requests
- Tracking spending on grants/startup $
- Websites for specific things such as graduate admissions documents (if you are on that committee)
5.
How
do I print?
6.
How
do I make photocopies?
7.
Where
is the library and how do I find and check out:
- Journals
- Books
- Interlibrary loan items
8.
Who
are the PR people to contact for press releases?
9.
Who
are the grants office people?
10. What is the standard overhead rate for
grants? Do we get any of this back?
11. What are fringe benefits and how are they
charged on grants?
12. Is there a lactation room, and where is
it?
13. What shared lab facilities exist, and
where are they?
14. Where is the bathroom?
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| Who do I call for help? |
15. What teaching supplies exist for lab
classes?
16. How do I get new teaching supplies for my
classes?
17. How do I order supplies for my lab?
18. Is there an on-campus stockroom where I
can purchase items?
19. How do I get my own website?
20. Where can I store and heat up my lunch?
21. When and where are any recurring seminars
held?
22. What public transport and parking options
exist? Are there discounts?
23. How do I sign up for instrument/boat/etc.
time?
24. What if my assigned classroom is not set
up well for teaching, and/or the ceiling starts falling down when it rains?
25. How are graduate students supported?
26. How do I recruit graduate students?
27. How can I incorporate undergraduate students
in my lab (independent study, volunteer, work study, etc.)?
28. Are there any on-campus health facilities
that I can access if needed?
29. How do I use the exercise facilities?
30. How do I get basic supplies like paper
towels and soap in my lab classroom?
31. How do I take students on fieldtrips?
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| Is there an adorable toddler who gives out protective eyewear and air fresheners somewhere on campus? |
32. Is there any organized safety training
that myself, students in my lab, or students in my lab classes need to
undertake?
33. Who do I call if I have a hazardous waste
spill in the lab?
34. How is hazardous waste stored and picked
up?
35. How the actual F- do I keep the lights on
or off in my office instead of relying on the automatic motion detector thing
that doesn’t work?
36. How do I get a phone and/or what is my
phone number?
37. How do I dial out? Long distance?
38. How do I access new software licensed or
purchased by the University?
39. Where is the best/worst coffee on campus?
40. What childcare facilities are available
on campus or nearby?
41. Where should I live for ease of
commuting, quality of life, schools?
42. What kind of specialized gear do I need
to buy to deal with the new climate into which I am moving?
43. Do I get my money back if there are 4
blizzards within the first month of spring semester?
44. How do I get an ID card?
45. How do I get keys/access to my
office/lab/building?
46. How does incoming and outgoing mail and
package delivery work?
47. What is the emergency phone number?
47. What is the emergency phone number?
I’m sure there
are other questions I’ve forgotten – and I haven’t even brushed the
surface when it comes to moving countries! But that’s another story.
What other items
would you include in the ideal “how stuff works here” manual?
